Director, Liquidity

The Director, Liquidity and Market Risk provides independent oversight of the credit union's treasury activities, more specifically, liquidity, interest rate, as well as Capital risk management. This position is accountable for the development and management of risk measurement, monitoring, and reporting functions, as well as advising the Chief Risk Officer regarding risk tolerances, policies, and adherence to regulatory requirements. The Director stays abreast of the regulatory landscape and market conditions, including potential stress scenarios, and its impacts on the credit union risk limits and financials. This role, with the support of the analytical risk team, is responsible for overseeing risk modeling, stress-testing relative to their area of expertise. Additionally, the Director collaborates with the treasury team for the development, implementation and testing of the liquidity and capital contingency plans.

Accountabilities

1. Leadership: Provides leadership and direction to the team including recruitment, training and development, establishing annual goals and completing performance management processes. Works strategically with key internal partners and collaborates with cross functional teams across the organization. 
2. Liquidity & Capital Risk: Independently monitors and assesses the credit union liquidity and capital positions. Reviews and challenges stress-testing parameters, calibration, assumptions and management actions. Regularly maintains and enhances liquidity and capital risk management policies and frameworks to address evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Oversees real-time risk monitoring and reporting, during high-volatility periods.
3. Risk Oversight: Develops and maintains risk measurement systems that deliver liquidity and funding risk metrics, supporting effective management and oversight of liquidity and funding risk across both the first and second lines of defense. Validates assumptions used by finance and treasury an ensures they operate within board and management limits, as well as action plans established in cases where limits are exceeded. Reviews liquidity objectives, positions on a regular basis with the treasury team.
4. Risk Reporting: Prepares and presents risk reports to the Chief Risk Officer and senior management, effectively communicating risk profile and issues. Provides updates to senior management on implications of regulatory changes. Analyzes and synthesizes data, develops risk analytics and reporting, identifies key risk drivers, and delivers actionable insights.
5. Risk Policies: Recommends internal limits and tolerances to the Chief Risk Officer. Ensures effective risk policies are in place and are aligned with the credit union' risk appetite and regulatory requirements. 
6. Modeling & Stress-Testing: Oversees treasury stress-test activities. With the support of the Risk Analytics team, reviews and validates models used to measure liquidity, interest rate and funding risk. This also includes the credit union forecast of capital ratios. Recommends model and assumption changes as required.
7. Contingency Plans: Participates in the development and of contingency plans for potential market disruptions. Leads the testing of these plans annually.
8. Market Monitoring: Monitors the market environment and industry best practices to ensure First West's capabilities continue to meet management and regulatory expectations. Identifies and analyzes emerging market risks that could impact the organization. Opines on the risks and benefits of potential management actions during times of economic and market stresses.

Required Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative discipline required e.g. Mathematics or Science; masters preferred
• Financial, Accounting or Risk Management designation required or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 8-9 years in progressively senior positions within an OSFI regulated financial institutions
• Experience in risk management, or analytically focused role, including 5 years leading and developing people required
• Experience in overseeing with capital, liquidity, credit and market risk analytics in a second line of defense function (Risk Management) 
• Strong leadership skills (communication, coaching), with the ability to influence others
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively and build long-term relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Experience working with in a treasury related role, with knowledge of risk analytics and modeling techniques required. 
• Demonstrates strong proficiency in of hedging strategies to effectively manage interest rate risk.   
• Specialist understanding of quantitative methods and complex statistical analysis 
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of advanced analytics, modeling and stress-testing.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of enterprise risk principles within a financial institution, including knowledge of Capital, liquidity and market risk
• Displays an understanding of management practice of capital and market & liquidity risks.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant regulations, policies, and standards (e.g. OSFI, FCAC).