Senior Director, Sustainable Finance

COMPANY BACKGROUND / CULTURE

The Global Risk Institute (GRI) is a premier organization that defines thought leadership in risk management for the financial industry.

GRI brings together leaders from industry, academia, and government to draw actionable insights on risks globally.

The organization was founded in 2010 as a result of efforts by the financial industry and the Governments of Canada and the Province of Ontario to build capacity to manage and prevent risks within Canada’s financial institutions and to build a global profile for the industry.

Through engagement activities with its member institutions, GRI builds integrated risk management capacity for private and public sector professionals.

It also acts as a hub, stimulating evidence-based debate among regulators, practitioners and academics engaged in risk. GRI’s objectives are to :

• Build risk management capacity in the financial services industry
• Leverage our convening capability to foster effective conversations among the public and private financial sectors
• Deepen and broaden our collective understanding of financial industry risks through research, education, and events
• Continue to expand our financial industry membership reach and engagement, while building our brand in risk management

GRI has become the leading forum for ideas, engagement and emerging trends in risk management in the financial services sector and is well positioned for the future.

Through ongoing growth in its partnerships, membership and programming, GRI continues to build strong connections, provide critical research, education and events for risk leaders globally.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Director, Sustainable Finance (SDSF) will ensure GRI and its members are at the forefront of developing the knowledge and willingness needed to mobilize financial services toward a sustainable economic future and the transition to a climate-smart economy.

The SDSF will produce and advance the understanding climate-related risks are a source of financial risk and how to manage those risks.

Specific responsibilities include :

The Senior Director will be a team player with a proven ability to collaborate with eminent researchers and thought leaders from different backgrounds.

• Build GRI’s value through our Sustainable Finance activities
• Develop and implement GRI’s strategic plan to advance sustainable finance, with a five-year outlook and aligned with the organization’s overall strategy
• Through ongoing dialogue, ensure that this strategy remains current in light of events and changing circumstances within the financial service sector
• Establish a deep understanding of member needs and perspectives in sustainable finance, facilitate peer learning and elevate member voices on sustainable finance
• Position GRI as a central coordination point and facilitator of dialogue on sustainable finance among members and external stakeholders on priorities for action, and pursue influential international partnership opportunities
• Champion GRI’s thought leadership on sustainable finance, and ensure content is widely available externally
• Ensure cutting edge content on sustainable finance is available through GRI’s training and capacity building programs
• Amplify the research program to contribute new data and information looking at both risks and opportunity related to climate risk and a transition to a low carbon economy
• Serve as a spokesperson / ambassador for GRI in national and international forums on sustainable finance in Financial Services
• Contribute to the overall general management and development of the GRI and its staff
• Produce innovative and original research supporting GRI’s Sustainable Finance research agenda
• Help build GRI’s research profile through :
• Building out GRI’s key research capabilities by oversight of the production of Sustainable Finance research deliverables
• Speaking in GRI’s programs and in non-GRI events and conferences
• Engaging with GRI members and key stakeholders on GRI sustainable research related matters
• Enhance GRI’s participation in research conferences, workshops, panel / roundtable discussions and international events
• Identify potential research partners at prominent universities and other research organizations
• Administer GRI’s internal Sustainable Finance research portfolio
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to act as advocate and spokesperson on sustainable finance for GRI and financial service sector risk management
• Coordinate GRI’s sustainable finance team

YEAR ONE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

• Refresh GRI’s Sustainable Finance Strategy which will align with GRI’s focus and objectives
• Further establish GRI as a thought leader on sustainable finance in financial services
• Leverage the GRI brand to enhance the world’s impression of Canada’s financial sector and its sustainable finance expertise.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidates will require a broadly-based and integrated understanding of sustainable finance and risk and its implications for both the financial system as a whole and for individual players, as well as the ability to communicate research findings in ways that inform and engage decision makers.
• Success in the role of Senior Director, Research will require :
• Deep experience with sustainable finance research and its production
• Strong network in sustainable finance
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a broad range of people, from academics to executives and board members at major financial institutions
• Ability to work as an effective team player
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Strong organizational skills and time-management skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in complex situations and build consensus amidst competing priorities
• Ability to plan and execute projects and events, on time and within budget

Desirable experience :

• Approximately 10-15 years financial services experience, predominantly in a sustainable finance or risk management associated function at a major financial institution
• Experience producing research or supervising research production, with a track record of research
• Leadership experience within a sustainable finance or risk management function
• Deep understanding of the Canadian regulatory and public sector environment
• Established network within the Canadian financial institution business community

EDUCATION

Minimum Masters level qualification, preferably at a top Canadian or other internationally recognized research university

COMPENSATION

A competitive compensation package.

SE# 510654596