Director, Non-Financial Risks

General Bank of Canada is a Schedule 1 Chartered bank headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, and part of the Wheaton Group. Our journey began in the 1950s with an entrepreneurial spark that has grown into one of Canada’s fastest-growing small banks, delivering innovative financing solutions across automotive, aviation, and commercial sectors.

At GBC, our core values of Trust, Discipline, People-Centric Approaches, and Innovation drive every decision we make. We leverage our nimble structure to pioneer forward-thinking banking solutions in the digital era. Proudly certified as a Great Place to Work for six consecutive years, we’re dedicated not only to transforming banking but also to making real impact in the communities we serve. Since 1969, our ongoing partnership with United Way has fueled volunteer initiatives, fundraising, and community programs that truly change lives. When you join our team, you’re contributing to a future where innovation and community go hand in hand. We love it here and know you will too!

The Opportunity

General Bank of Canada is looking for a permanent, fulltime Director, Non-Financial Risks to join as a key contributor with the Bank’s Risk, Security & Compliance team. Consistent with the growth trajectory of the Bank, this is an excellent opportunity for the right individual to contribute to building the Bank of the future with considerable potential for learning, growth, and advancement.

The Director, Non-Financial Risks is a critical role in the Bank’s second line of defense, partnering with senior leadership to support strategic initiatives and protect the organization’s resilience. Reporting directly to the Chief Risk Officer, this position plays a key role in advancing risk and cybersecurity capabilities, strengthening technology and third-party risk management, and embedding sustainability considerations into the Bank’s risk framework.

Position Responsibilities

This is an opportunity for a senior risk professional looking to take the next step in their career. This role demands strong technical knowledge, practical execution skills, and the ability to both design and deliver. The successful candidate will be hands-on, comfortable leading with expertise, and ready to build out and operate critical non-financial risk capabilities that shape the Bank’s future through its next phase of growth and transformation.

Technology Risk & Operational Resilience

• Develop the Bank’s technology risk strategy, policies, and standards to safeguard systems and data.
• Oversee cyber defenses, access controls, encryption, threat monitoring and response.
• Own the Crisis & Incident Management Playbook and oversee incident response, investigations, and recovery efforts.
• Advise on new technologies, testing, and system implementations.

Governance, Risk & Compliance (“GRC”)

• Design and deploy appropriate risk management frameworks, governance, reporting.
• Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Perform light-touch, targeted risk assessments, due diligence reviews, and audits.
• Provide dynamic risk insights and metrics to Board and Senior Management.
• Advise vulnerability management, penetration testing and security audit programs to ensure risks are understood and critical findings remediated.
• Partner with Director of Security to establish policies and standards for cybersecurity testing aligned to industry frameworks and bank risk appetite. Review efficacy of programs.

Operational Risk

• Own the design and management of the Operational Risk Management Framework and associated policy documents
• Evolve and manage the Third-Party Risk Management Program.
• Manage third-party due diligence and ongoing monitoring with a value and risk-based lens.
• Identify, measure and control operational risks across the bank in alignment with ERM Framework.
• Review, test and oversee business continuity, disaster recovery, and crisis response plans.

Climate Change, Sustainability and Circular Economy

• Develop sustainability strategy, targets, and reporting aligned to business strategy.
• Test Circular Economy concepts in business models, operations, lending, investments.
• Monitor emerging ESG regulatory requirements and centralize non-financial ESG reporting.

Innovation

• Design, evolve and continuously improve non-financial Risk Models.
• Direct R&D efforts to leverage new technologies for seamless risk management.
• Pilot and scale new risk capabilities and digital solutions.
• Promote Agile methodologies and proportionality to address emerging risks.
• Develop interactive risk tools and dynamic reporting dashboards.

What You Bring to the Table

The Director, Non-Financial Risks is an individual contributor position which requires the expertise of a senior professional who is required to individually own and execute the outlined responsibilities. The successful candidate is an individual who is willing to be hands-on and complete this work independently without a dedicated team or individuals to support the required outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Significant experience working in complex environments, with a proven track record of developing, enhancing, and successfully operating risk or related programs and capabilities.
• Strong understanding of AI technologies and applications in financial services, with demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools for R&D, process optimization, and risk assessment initiatives.
• Diversified multi-industry experience and/or or multi-country.
• Post-secondary education in a related discipline such as Finance or Economics.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative, durable relationships with technical and business leaders.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to distill complex issues into clear insights and recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-graduate education.
• Industry Certifications (e.g., CISM, CRISC, CBCP or equivalent).

Position Details

• Status: Permanent, fulltime
• Workplace Model: In-Office
• Location: Edmonton, AB.
• Compensation: Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and is consistent with compensation standards for Director-level positions.
• Posting Deadline: Posted until filled.

What GBC Brings to the Table

At General Bank of Canada, we offer more than just a paycheque. We provide the opportunity to build your career and elevate it to new heights. Our compensation package includes base salary, group benefits and a matched retirement savings plan program.

Our group benefits ensure you and your dependents are covered for extended health, dental, and vision care. We also provide flexible spending accounts, replenished annually, to help cover additional medical and wellness expenses. Recognized as one of the Best Workplaces for Mental Wellness in 2025, we take mental health seriously. That's why we offer additional coverage for mental health practitioners and a dynamic employee assistance program.

As an employee, you can expect more than just our competitive compensation package, comprehensive group benefits, and matched retirement savings plan. We also offer the following:

• Generous paid time off to promote healthy work-life harmony.
• Collaborative work environment where your voice and opinions are valued.
• Exclusive employee perks which include discounts for various products and services.
• Beautiful downtown office location with an onsite gym and Edmonton’s best rooftop patio.
• Engaging social events each month, offering unique experiences and opportunities to connect with colleagues, meet new people and enjoy some fun.
• Professional development and tuition support to help you advance your career.
• Welcoming teams that celebrate diversity and prioritize inclusion.
• Give back to your community. As a proud partner of the United Way, we offer numerous initiatives throughout the year for you to get involved and make a meaningful impact.
• Make an impact. Join one of our employee-led committees to develop leadership skills, expand your network and contribute to our strong corporate culture.

How to Apply

We invite you to apply directly through our Careers portal at generalbank.ca/careers. If you require additional assistance, you can contact us at [email protected]. While we appreciate all applications, only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted directly.

At General Bank of Canada, we believe that that diversity drives innovation and fosters a culture of inclusion. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all employees. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the rich diversity of our communities and customers.

We believe that accessibility is a fundamental aspect of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our goal is to ensure that every candidate has an equal opportunity to succeed during the interview process and we will work with candidates requiring accommodations. If you require an accommodation, please reach out to our HR team directly ([email protected]).

We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities, including those who are underrepresented in the financial services industry. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other legally protected status.