Director, Business Operations and Risk Management

Who we are:

Fairstone Bank and its family of brands are united in delivering innovative, accessible and reliable financial solutions that enable Canadians to reach their goals. Over the years, our brand family has grown. In 2024, Home Trust Company, Home Bank and Oaken Financial became part of the Fairstone Bank family of brands, alongside Fairstone, EdenPark and Fig. 

Together, we are the leading alternative lending bank in Canada. With a diverse suite of products—residential and commercial mortgages, consumer deposits and GICs, credit cards, retail and automobile financing, personal loans and digital lending—we offer financial solutions tailored to all Canadians, including newcomers, small-business owners, smart investors and savvy consumers. 

About the role: 

The Director, Business Operations & Risk Management is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving business execution, governance, operating effectiveness, and first-line risk management across Card Services, including Credit Cards, Walmart Rewards Mastercard, Retail Financing, and future growth initiatives.

As a trusted advisor to the Chief Card Services Officer, this leader serves as the integration point across business strategy, transformation, governance, risk management, operational performance, technology delivery, executive reporting, and regulatory readiness. The role ensures the organization operates with strong execution discipline, effective risk management practices, and alignment to enterprise objectives.

The position acts as the primary Business Risk Manager (BRM) for Card Services and a business risk analyst will report into the Director. While acting as BRM, the director will also be leading business operations activities that support strategic planning, executive committee management, remediation oversight, business performance reporting, and cross-functional coordination across Technology, Operations, Finance, Risk, Legal, Compliance, and external partners.

What you’ll do:

Business Operations & Strategic Execution (30%)

• Lead the Business Operations function for Card Services.

• Drive annual strategic planning, operating plans, scorecards, business reviews, and executive reporting.

• Establish and maintain governance routines that improve execution discipline and organizational alignment.

• Lead preparation of executive presentations, monthly business reviews, board materials, strategic updates, and performance reporting.

• Monitor business performance and key metrics, identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and recommend corrective actions.

• Support the CCSO and leadership team in business planning, prioritization, investment decisions, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.

Governance, Executive Committees & Transformation (10%)

• Lead governance structures supporting the Card Services Growth & Execution Committee and other business forums.

• Coordinate cross-functional decision making across Product, Marketing, Portfolio, Retail Financing, Technology, Operations, Risk, Finance, and Compliance teams.

• Act as a catalyst for continuous process improvement, simplification, and operational effectiveness.

Risk Management & BRM Leadership (40%)

• Serve as the designated first-line Business Risk Manager for Card Services.

• Partner with Risk Management, Compliance, Legal, Operational Risk, Audit, and Control functions to ensure effective risk identification, assessment, monitoring, mitigation, and reporting.

• Embed enterprise risk management frameworks, policies, and governance requirements across Card Services.

• Lead risk assessments, operational risk reviews, control evaluations, remediation activities, and issue management processes.

• Ensure business initiatives maintain alignment risk appetite and insure all proper requested documentation is validated and executed.

• Oversee regulatory examination readiness, internal audits, and external reviews.

• Monitor emerging business, operational, regulatory, compliance, and conduct risks.

• Provide independent and objective risk management advice to business leaders while supporting sound business decision making.

• Ensure effective execution of BRM responsibilities outlined within enterprise policies, guidelines, and risk frameworks.

Controls, Remediation & Operational Readiness (20%)

• Lead oversight of remediation plans arising from audits, compliance reviews, operational incidents, regulatory findings, and risk assessments.

• Track, challenge, and escalate corrective actions to ensure timely resolution.

• Ensure operational controls remain effective and aligned with business growth and evolving regulatory expectations.

• Support incident management, root-cause analysis, and lessons-learned processes.

•  responsible governance, operational excellence, continuous improvement, and proactive risk management.

What we’re looking for: 

• University degree in Business, Commerce, Risk Management, Economics, or a related discipline.

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in financial services, banking, lending, cards, payments, risk management, operations, consulting, or strategy.

• Experience partnering with executive leadership teams.

• Strong understanding of operations, enterprise risk management, governance, operational risk, compliance, and audit practices.

• Proven experience leading large-scale initiatives, transformation programs, and cross-functional strategic projects.

• Experience building executive presentations, business cases, operating plans, and governance materials.

• Knowledge of credit cards, retail financing, lending products, and consumer financial services is strongly preferred.

What you’ll love about working here:

• Award-Winning Culture: We’re proud to be recognized as a Great Place to Work Canada 2025 and one of Montreal’s Top Employers 2025 by Canada’s Top 100 Employers. 

• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexibility with our hybrid work model designed to support your lifestyle. 

• Time to Recharge: Generous vacation based on your role, statutory holidays, plus 6 wellness days to prioritize your well-being. 

• Compensation Package: Competitive base salary plus an annual incentive bonus tied to performance. 

• Comprehensive Benefits: Robust health and dental coverage through Manulife, as well as virtual healthcare through Dialogue.

• Future-Ready Savings: Group Retirement Savings Plan with up to 7% employer match.

• Exclusive Perks: Discounts from top retailers via WorkPerks, plus location-based perks like gym memberships and Toronto Bike Share. 

• On-Site Fitness: Gym access at our London and Montreal offices. 

• Continuous Growth: Education Assistance Program and Fairstone Academy for training and skill development. 

• Family Support: Parental leave top-up program to help you during life’s big moments. 

• For more information on who we are as an employer click here.

What you can expect - pay & process:

• Expected base salary range is $136,00.00 to $146,000.00, plus the opportunity to earn an annual incentive bonus tied to performance.    
• This posting is for an existing vacancy within our organization.  

• Artificial intelligence may be used in parts of the recruitment process. 

• All candidates considered for hire must successfully pass a criminal background check, credit check, and validation of their work experience to qualify for hire. 

If what you read excites you, we’d like to hear from you! Please submit your application and we’ll contact you if you become selected for first stages of the interview process. 

Learn more: https://www.fairstone.ca/en/about/canadian-lender

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fairstone/mycompany/

If you have a preferred language for communication, please kindly inform us whether you prefer French or English on your application.

Fairstone is an equal opportunity employer. Accordingly, we will make reasonable accommodations to respond to the needs of people with disabilities. Individuals who view themselves as Aboriginals, members of visible minorities, and disabled are encouraged to apply in confidence.

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