Director, Operational Resilience

The Director, Operational Resilience is a strategic leader responsible for the creation, implementation and monitoring/updating of an enterprise-wide and departmental BCP framework ensuring the seamless continuation of critical business functions during disruptions. Focusing on the operational aspects of business continuity, this role emphasizes collaboration with business units to create, implement, and sustain robust continuity strategies. The incumbent will have deep expertise in regulatory compliance, particularly with OSFI and FSRA requirements, and will work closely with leadership to align business continuity planning (BCP) with the credit union's strategic goals.

Major Responsibilities

Strategic Business Continuity Management:

• Develop, implement, and maintain the credit union's enterprise-wide business continuity framework.
• Ensure each department has their own BCP plan and assist business units with creating them.
• Collaborate with business units to identify critical functions, interdependencies, and potential risks to operational continuity.
• Lead the development of tailored continuity plans that prioritize operational resilience and member service excellence.
• Establish metrics to monitor the effectiveness and readiness of continuity plans.

Business Unit Engagement:

• Act as the primary liaison between business units and the BCP program, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Facilitate workshops, training sessions, and simulations with business leaders to build awareness and competence in continuity planning.
• Work with department heads to embed BCP into operational processes and decision-making.

Regulatory Compliance (OSFI):

• Ensure all business continuity practices align with OSFI and FSRA regulations, including the B-10 Guideline on Third-Party Risk Management and other relevant guidance.
• Monitor regulatory updates and integrate changes into the BCP framework.
• Prepare and present reports and documentation for audits, regulatory reviews, and board updates.

Continuity Testing and Validation:

• Oversee the development and execution of business continuity testing, including tabletop exercises, simulations, and system failover tests.
• Analyze test results and work with stakeholders to address gaps and improve resilience strategies.

Crisis Management Support:

• Lead or support the Crisis Management Team (CMT) during incidents, ensuring smooth activation of continuity plans.
• Coordinate communication and recovery efforts across business units, focusing on minimizing operational and member service disruptions.

Continuous Improvement:

• Leverage industry best practices and emerging trends to refine the credit union's continuity framework.
• Conduct post-incident reviews to identify lessons learned and integrate improvements into future planning.

People Management:

• Developing and setting annual department goals
• Leadership, coaching, training and professional development of staff
• Ongoing monitoring of staff performance
• Proper allocation of work based on corporate and departmental priorities

Expectations / Outcomes

• Build and Maintain the BCP plan and ensure Alterna remains in compliance with its regulators

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field
• Minimum 7 years of experience in business continuity planning at a similar level
• In-depth knowledge of OSFI and FSRA regulations and guidelines, including the B-10 Guideline.
• Professional certifications such as CBCP (Certified Business Continuity Professional), MBCI (Member of the Business Continuity Institute), or similar credentials are required.
• A Minimum of 5 years managerial experience
• Proven proficiency in business continuity software and tools.

Competencies

• Strong project management skills, with a proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience engaging senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to balance regulatory compliance with operational priorities.
• Exceptional collaboration and facilitation skills.
• Resilience under pressure, with a focus on driving solutions during crises

About Alterna Savings

Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited (Alterna) has delivered The Good in Banking^® for over 115 years creating financial services that transform lives for the better, all while giving back to our community. Alterna is made up of Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited and its wholly owned subsidiary, Alterna Bank.

Alterna is the first full-service, member-owned cooperative financial institution outside Quebec, sharing its expertise with over 210,000 members through a network comprised of 40 branches across Ontario, a call centre and multiple digital channels. Members and customers also benefit from an industry-leading online brokerage and investment management services.

To learn more about Alterna Savings, please visit alterna.ca, X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Working at Alterna

We are incredibly proud of our corporate culture, embodying our core values: Collaboration, Integrity, and Respect, where everyone works together towards a common goal; the financial wellbeing of our employees, members, and customers. This commitment has earned us several prestigious employer awards, including the National Capital Region's Top Employers award for eight years running.

* We appreciate all applicants; however, preference will be given to candidates who most closely meet the qualifications, key skills, and competencies outlined above.

* Alterna is compliant with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act and our team strives to provide an accessible accommodation experience. If you have a disability and require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment Team and let us know how we can accommodate you.