Executive Vice-President, Chief Investment Officer - #195423

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Position Title: Executive Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer

Reports To: The President and Chief Executive Officer

Department: Executive

Term: Permanent Full Time

Work Arrangements: This is a hybrid role. You will work in our office in Waterloo, ON a minimum of two (2) assigned, consecutive days every other week, plus a fifth (5th) assigned day per month. You are welcome to work from the office more than the minimum requirement and there may be some roles that are required to work in our office more than the minimum requirement.

The Opportunity: Equitable Life of Canada is undergoing a transformational phase of growth, marked by significant and sustained increases in assets under management (AUM) driven by strong business performance. With a track record of strong investment performance and a long-term, policyholder-centric approach, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on this momentum by establishing a fully integrated, institutional-grade asset management capability. Backed by a solid foundation, Equitable is projecting continued AUM growth, creating a pivotal opportunity to scale its asset management operations, enhance diversification, and unlock long-term value for its clients.

The Executive Vice President, Asset Management & Chief Investment Officer (EVP & CIO) will lead this next chapter—designing and implementing a future-focused roadmap for asset management that strengthens infrastructure, deepens oversight, and builds the people, systems, and processes required for sophisticated asset management execution. This is a rare opportunity to architect the asset management function within a high-performing, purpose-driven organization at a critical point in its growth journey.

In addition to deep investment knowledge and asset management experience, the successful candidate will bring exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship management capabilities. As a key advisor to the President & CEO, the Board, and the Investment Committee, the EVP & CIO will be responsible for clearly articulating strategy, performance, and risk, while also engaging externally with regulators, fund managers, and financial institutions—demonstrating sound judgment, influence, and executive presence.

This role requires a leader who brings visionary thinking and operational execution, capable of treating asset management as a strategic business line. As Equitable continues to grow its AUM and invest in its capabilities, the EVP & CIO will play a central role in driving performance, enhancing governance, and positioning the company to thrive in an evolving and increasingly complex investment landscape.

What you will be doing:

• Actively participate as a member of the Company’s senior management team (Executive Team/ET), contributing to the operation and direction of the business as a whole.
• Provide leadership of the Asset Management operation through coaching/developing/counseling direct reports. Ensure that corporate strategies, policies, and objectives are uniformly understood, interpreted, and implemented by subordinates.
• Be responsible for the Asset Management operation strategy. Develop and implement approved short and long-term strategic plans and objectives for the Asset Management unit of the Company.
• Be accountable for the effective, efficient, and cost-effective operation of the Asset Management operation of the Company.
• Develop and implement approved policies, procedures, and practices for Asset Management, including Authority Limits, Asset and Liability Management and Compliance reporting.
• Ensure investments successfully meet business plan goals and objectives.
• Ensure the development of plans to support continuous improvement of all areas within the Company.
• Ensure the Company complies with relevant legislation and various applicable regulatory requirements.
• Keep current with business and market trends.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors. Assist the Committee Chair as necessary in the execution of the Committee’s responsibilities.
• Ensure the President & CEO and Senior Management are fully informed on operating issues and industry developments which may impact the Company, or which the President & CEO should be made aware.
• Represent the Company on investment issues with external parties.
• Provide clear guidance and communication to ensure operational risk management policies are followed and objectives are met and well executed.
• Identify, monitor, and report on risk exposures to President and CEO, Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Risk Officer, including monitoring how the market or regulations are changing and the potential risks as a result of the change.
• Be responsible for following established processes and procedures, identifying potential gaps, omissions or activities that could expose the organization to unnecessary operational risk.
  
  

What you will bring:

• A minimum of 15 years of practical experience in a related investment management environment: insurance, retail funds, institutional assets, high net worth assets, and/ or pension, and foundation/endowment assets. Life insurance experience preferred.
• Broad investment knowledge and experience, with the proficiency to understand and evaluate various asset classes (e.g. fixed income, real estate, equities, private equity etc.). Strong credit knowledge with experience setting the tone for credit appetite and analysis preferred.
• Excellent leadership skills with proven track record of attracting, developing, and managing a highly skilled investment team.
• Strong risk awareness - experience setting risk tolerance for the company during turbulent economic times and has set a steady course for stabilization.
• Effective relationship building acumen, partnering across the organization with the actuarial and risk functions to ensure the investment portfolio is in compliance with the Company’s risk appetite.
• A demonstrated track record of setting and articulating successful investment strategy and offering opinions on market developments and portfolio impact.
• The ability to put in place processes, metrics and reporting structures that will bring credibility to the investment process.
• Experience developing liability-driven asset management strategies; knowledge of applying liability and risk constraints in the development and implementation of asset management strategies.
• An ability to be a strategic advisor to the President and CEO and ideally experience presenting to the Investment Committee of the Board.
• Strong financial skills in financial modelling, portfolio monitoring and risk analysis.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills; confident communicating investment philosophy and approach to internal and external audiences during market development activities and be the spokesperson for the company.
  
  

What’s in it for you:

• A healthy work-life balance with employee wellness top of mind
• Annual bonus program, annual vacation allowance, and company-paid benefits program
• An additional paid volunteer day each year so you can spend time giving back to the community
• Immediate enrollment in the company’s pension program with employer matching
• Employee resource groups that support an inclusive work environment
• Tuition support and specialized program assistance
• An onsite full-service cafeteria with a variety of daily options
• Discounts on company products and services, and access to exclusive employee perks
• Regular EQ Together events focused on company togetherness and collaboration
  
  

As part of the recruitment/offer process you will be required to:

• Provide two professional references (minimum one supervisor and above)
• Undergo verification of your educational successes
• Undergo a credit check
• Undergo a criminal background check
  
  

This role is open due to an existing vacancy.

To learn more about Equitable, we encourage you to explore our organization.

At Equitable, we are committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities across our organization. Please contact our HR team at [email protected] if you would like to receive our job postings in an alternative format or require an accommodation with the application process.

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