---
title: 'Director, Strategy, Risk and Business Operations at EQ Bank | Canada''s Challenger Bank'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-strategy-risk-and-business-operations-eq-bank-canada-s-challenger-bank-z335fpr185t8'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Director, Strategy, Risk and Business Operations at EQ Bank | Canada's Challenger Bank

- **Company:** EQ Bank | Canada's Challenger Bank
- **Location:** Toronto, Canada
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-08-27
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/eqbank/ed06b95a-a20e-4a10-a8a5-fd7a1197712a

## Job description

Join a Challenger At EQ, we're remaking banking so every Canadian gets ahead, every day. Serving nearly 4 million Canadians from coast to coast, we offer a wide variety of financial services from banking and lending, to trust and credit union solutions.

We've been at this since 1970, challenging the conventions of traditional banking with smarter, faster, and more connected financial experiences.

What's kept us moving?  The people behind it all: challengers who ask better questions, push back on old assumptions, and look for a better way forward.

If you're driven to help reshape how banking works for Canadians and the businesses that power our economy, this could be your next big opportunity.

We can’t wait to get to know you!

The Work

Reporting to the VP, Decumulation, the Director, Strategy, Risk & Business Operations is responsible for leading the strategic planning, business performance and enablement, governance, and risk management functions for the Reverse Mortgage and Insurance Lending business. Acting as the operational and strategic leader to the VP, Decumulation, this role ensures the business maintains a robust risk and control environment while delivering on growth, profitability, and customer objectives. The Director will oversee enterprise and business-specific risk activities including risk appetite monitoring, credit, operational, compliance, legal, conduct, model, and reputational risks. This leader will act as the primary liaison between the business and corporate Risk, Legal, Compliance, Finance, Audit, Governance and other business related risk functions such as Fraud Management while ensuring the business meets all regulatory, governance, and board reporting obligations. In addition, the Director will lead annual strategic planning, financial forecasting, business performance management, executive and Board reporting, KPI development, , enterprise initiatives, business enablement programs, and the development of new products and growth opportunities. The role requires a unique combination of strategic leadership, analytical rigor, operational execution, governance expertise, and cross-functional influence.

The Core Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Business Performance

- Support the development and execution of the annual business strategy, operating plan, and growth priorities for the Reverse Mortgage business.
- Own business performance management, including KPI development, executive dashboards, forecasting, and financial modeling.
- Drive strategic business initiatives and investment decisions through business cases, market analysis, profitability assessments and ongoing performance reporting. Lead the execution of initiatives as needed.
- Key Metrics: Achievement of annual volume, revenue, and profitability targets, Strategic initiative delivery (% completed on time and on budget), KPI and reporting accuracy/timeliness

Risk Management & Governance

- Own first-line risk management activities across credit, operational, compliance, legal, conduct, and reputational risk.
- Act as the primary liaison between the business and Risk, Compliance, Legal, Audit, and other partners.
- Lead program development activities such as a the corporate RCM program, risk assessments, issue remediation, governance activities, and committee submissions while ensuring compliance with risk appetite and regulatory requirements. Perform testing of business controls as needed.
- Key Metrics: Number and severity of audit, compliance, or regulatory findings, completion of remediation actions within agreed timelines, business performance against approved risk appetite metrics.

Credit Risk, Portfolio Analytics & Model Governance

- Oversee LTV model governance, portfolio monitoring, stress testing, and scenario analysis to support risk management and strategic decision-making.
- Partner with Credit Risk and Finance teams to monitor portfolio performance, concentration risks, and emerging trends.
- Lead development and reporting of portfolio, risk, and capital metrics for executive and Board audiences.
- Key Metrics: Portfolio delinquency and loss performance versus plan, timeliness and accuracy of stress testing and scenario analysis, LTV model governance and validation compliance.

Executive, Board & Regulatory Reporting

- Lead preparation of Board, Executive Committee, ERMC, and regulatory reporting packages.
- Develop clear, data-driven insights and recommendations supporting strategic and risk-related decision-making.
- Ensure reporting effectively communicates business performance, emerging risks, and mitigation actions.
- Key Metrics: On-time delivery of Board and committee materials, stakeholder satisfaction with reporting quality and insights, number of material reporting errors or revisions.

Business Enablement & Transformation

- Lead cross-functional business transformation and operational improvement initiatives that enhance scale, efficiency, and customer outcomes.
- Establish governance frameworks to prioritize, monitor, and measure strategic project delivery.
- Partner across Technology, Operations, Product, and Finance to remove barriers and accelerate execution. Identify and accelerate opportunities to leverage AI through the risk and all business functions.
- Key Metrics: Benefits realized from business initiatives, project delivery on time and within budget.

New Product Development & Innovation

- Lead strategic evaluation, business case development, and governance for new products and product enhancements.
- Coordinate cross-functional assessments involving Risk, Finance, Credit, Legal, Compliance, Operations, and Technology.
- Ensure new products meet profitability, customer, risk, and regulatory objectives.
- Key Metrics: New product launches delivered on time, business case outcomes versus forecast, product profitability and adoption rates

People Leadership

- Lead, develop, and coach a high-performing team responsible for strategy, risk, analytics, and business operations.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Build organizational capability in strategic planning, governance, data analytics, and risk management.
- Key Metrics: Employee engagement scores, achievement of team performance objectives.

Let's Talk About You

- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in strategy, risk management, business management, finance, consulting, or related leadership roles within financial services.
- Ideally has a mix of Consulting and financial industry experience.
- Deep understanding of credit risk, operational risk, compliance risk, governance frameworks, and financial services regulatory environments.
- Experience preparing Executive Committee, Board, and Risk Committee materials.
- Strong financial modeling, forecasting, and business case development experience.
- Experience leading strategic planning and enterprise transformation initiatives.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations and actionable insights.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills with demonstrated ability to influence senior executives and cross-functional teams.
- Advanced proficiency in data analysis, KPI development, dashboard creation, and performance management.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

## What we offer [For full-time permanent roles]

💰 Competitive discretionary bonus ✨ Market leading RRSP match program 🩺  Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits 📝  Employee Share Purchase Plan 👶🏽 Maternity/Parental top-up while you care for your little one 🏝 Generous vacation policy and personal days 🖥  Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues 🎓  Professional development and comprehensive Career Development program 💛  A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a new kind of banking experience

The incumbent will be working hybrid and in office time will be spent working from EQ Bank’s additional office space located at 2200-25 Ontario Street, Toronto, ON.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion EQ is committed to building an inclusive, accessible environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and supported. We believe our organization is stronger — and our people thrive — when we honour and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives. We’re equally committed to supporting your growth, both professionally and personally. We provide a barrier‑free recruitment process and work environment. If you require accommodations at any stage, we will work with you to ensure you can bring your best self to the process and beyond. As part of our recruitment process, EQ uses AI to help screen, assess, and/or select applicants for this position. All AI-enabled outputs are reviewed and validated by our talent team. All candidates considered for hire must successfully complete a criminal background check and credit check. While we appreciate every application, an EQ recruiter will contact only those whose skills and experience most closely match the requirements of the role.

EQB Inc. (TSX: EQB) is the parent company of Equitable Bank, the country's seventh-largest Schedule I bank by assets, which operates EQ Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™. EQB Inc. serves nearly 4 million Canadians and manages approximately $150 billion in combined assets under management and administration.

To learn more, visit eqb.investorroom.com and eqbank.ca.

## About EQ Bank | Canada's Challenger Bank

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: A Canadian challenger bank providing digital-first personal and commercial banking, lending, and asset management through its EQ Bank platform and parent company EQB Inc.
- **Entity Type**: Public (TSX: EQB)
- **Headquarters**: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- **Founded**: 1970
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Banking, Financial Services, Digital Banking, Asset Management
- **Target customers**: B2C (Canadian consumers), B2B (small businesses, credit unions, commercial real estate borrowers)
- **Mission / purpose**: “Drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people’s lives” — challenging the status quo to bring more competition and better value to Canadians.

## Products & Services
- **EQ Bank**: Canada’s first all-digital, cloud-based bank offering high-interest savings, registered accounts, GICs, and everyday banking (SaaS-like digital platform)
- **Business Banking**: Recently launched all-digital banking platform for small businesses, offering greater value and a differentiated experience
- **Commercial Banking**: Lending focused on insured multi-unit residential securitization, serving builders and renovators of rental apartment supply
- **Insurance (Equitable Trust/Concentra)**: Home and auto insurance, estate and trust services
- **Asset Management (ACM Advisors)**: Alternative asset management for institutional investors
- **Credit Union Solutions**: Services for nearly 200 Canadian credit unions, serving approximately six million members

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not directly disclosed in provided sources; combined assets under management and administration are $151 billion (company overview) – $138 billion (annual report). Market cap is not publicly available in the provided data.
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of $270 million (LinkedIn estimate); public company with SEC/TSX filings.
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Exclusive financial partner of Loblaw Companies Limited’s PC Optimum™ loyalty program (18+ million members). Recognized as one of Forbes’ World’s Best Banks (2021‑2025) and named top bank in Canada and North America by The Banker (Financial Times, 2025).
- **Growth Signals**: 607,000 EQ Bank customers at end of Q4 2025 (18% YoY increase); directly serves over 779,000 customers; employee count grew to ~1,950 (from ~1,360 on LinkedIn, indicating significant hiring); moved into new national headquarters at EQ Bank Tower in Toronto (May 2025).

## Competitive Advantages
- **First-mover digital advantage**: Canada’s first all-digital bank, built on a proprietary cloud platform that enables rapid product development and fintech collaborations.
- **Challenger brand identity**: Distinct positioning as a “Challenger Bank™” that actively disrupts the big-five bank oligopoly, attracting customers seeking better value.
- **Massive embedded reach**: Exclusive partnership with PC Optimum (18M+ members) gives EQ Bank deep integration into daily Canadian spending.
- **Strong regulatory standing**: Operating as a Schedule I bank (7th largest by assets) with OSFI regulation, providing trust and stability.

## Strategic Focus
- **Open banking leadership**: Advocating for and integrating open banking to give customers control over their financial data and enable better choices.
- **Digital expansion**: Scaling the EQ Bank platform (record customer growth) and recently launching Business Banking to capture small business market.
- **Innovation & efficiency**: Leveraging cloud-native platform to drive best-in-class cost efficiencies and rapidly innovate new products.
- **Talent growth**: Investing in leadership development programs and building a pipeline of future leaders to sustain growth.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Recognized on LinkedIn Top Companies list for workplace growth and career progression (2024) and Canada’s Best Workplaces™ (2023). Emphasizes authenticity, inclusion, and a “Challenger” mindset.
- **Work model**: Hybrid work model with flexible hours, generous vacation, and a “work from away” program.
- **Compensation & benefits**: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, fertility, and mental health support; company equity via stock matching; retirement savings plan with matching; 12 weeks top-up pay for parental leave.
- **Growth & learning**: Annual learning budget; allowances for home office and wellness; structured internship, co-op, and Leadership Development Program (LDP) offering real responsibility, mentorship, and cross-functional rotations.
- **Wellness**: Employee assistance program, sick days, life and disability insurance.
- **Perks**: New national headquarters at EQ Bank Tower in downtown Toronto.

## Sources
1. [eqbank.ca - Company Overview](https://www.eqbank.ca/about-us/about/company-overview)
2. [eqbank.ca - Careers](https://www.eqbank.ca/about-us/about/careers)
3. [jobs.lever.co/eqbank - Job listings](https://jobs.lever.co/eqbank)
4. [linkedin.com/company/-eqbank - LinkedIn company page](https://linkedin.com/company/-eqbank)
5. [filecache.investorroom.com - EQB 2025 Annual Report](https://filecache.investorroom.com/mr5ircnw_eqbank2/1591/EQB-2025_Annual_Report_Final.pdf)

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