Central 1 cooperatively empowers credit unions and other financial institutions to deliver banking choice to Canadians. Central 1 provides critical services at scale to enable a thriving credit union system. We do this by collaborating with our clients, developing strategies, products and services to support the financial well-being of their more than 5 million diverse customers in communities across Canada. For more information, visit www.central1.com.
What we offer:
Work-life flexibility
Hybrid work environment
Variable annual incentive plan
Generous annual vacation allotment
Top-notch flexible benefits plan including family building and gender affirmation
Retirement Plan, matched contributions at 6%
Access to a learning platform and educational assistance support
Access to a virtual wellness platform
Career development opportunities
Wellness Flex Fund to support personal interest and activities
Day off to volunteer in your community and other paid time off options
Corporate discounts
*subject to employment agreement
Job Summary:
Central 1 is looking for a strategic, enterprise-minded leader to serve as VP, Enterprise Strategy. Reporting to the Chief Client, Strategy and People Officer, this role is a key partner to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, senior leaders, and Board of Directors in shaping and advancing Central 1’s corporate strategy.
In this high-impact role, you will help define Central 1’s long-term strategic positioning within the broader financial services landscape. You will bring together market insights, client needs, financial performance, risk considerations, and operational realities to guide clear strategic choices and help the organization align around where to focus, how to grow, and how to deliver value over time.
This is an opportunity to act as a trusted strategic advisor, enterprise connector, and senior facilitator — translating complex business questions into actionable decisions, compelling narratives, and aligned execution across the organization.
What you'll be doing:
Shape and steward Central 1’s medium- to long-term enterprise strategy, ensuring alignment with our purpose, growth ambitions, financial goals, priorities, and risk appetite.
Lead structured problem-solving on complex and ambiguous strategic questions, including growth opportunities, strategic trade-offs, market positioning, and enterprise priorities.
Partner closely with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and senior leaders to bring strategic clarity, analytical rigor, synthesis, and constructive challenge to key discussions.
Monitor and interpret external market trends, client needs, competitive dynamics, regulatory developments, and financial services industry shifts to assess implications for Central 1.
Develop clear, high-impact materials for Executive Leadership Team meetings, Board discussions, governance forums, and strategy offsites.
Help the Executive Leadership Team focus time and attention on the most important enterprise-level issues, with a lens on long-term success.
Support strategic decision-making by framing issues, synthesizing perspectives, tracking commitments, and helping sustain momentum on priority initiatives.
Plan and facilitate executive strategy sessions, leadership forums, and offsites focused on enterprise direction, performance, and strategic alignment.
Provide strategic advisory support to the CEO, CCSPO, and Executive Leadership Team on enterprise priorities, strategic narratives, governance matters, and key internal or external engagements.
Act as a connective hub across business lines and enabling functions, bringing together insights from client, finance, risk, technology, operations, people, legal, governance, communications, and marketing teams.
Collaborate with Finance to connect strategy with multi-year financial planning, investment priorities, resource allocation, portfolio management, and performance metrics.
Partner with Risk Management to ensure strategic plans and growth initiatives are aligned with risk assessments, scenario planning, and the organization’s risk appetite.
Work with Communications & Marketing and People & Culture to shape a clear and cohesive organizational narrative that connects strategy to purpose, priorities, and change.
Partner with Legal and Governance teams to prepare Board and Committee materials that translate complex strategic, financial, and operational issues into clear decisions and recommendations.
Lead and support senior leadership forums, including operational planning, Quarterly Business Reviews, enterprise policy alignment, and strategic execution touchpoints.
Help enable change adoption by supporting clear communication, leadership alignment, and reinforcement of enterprise priorities across the organization.
What you'll have:
A bachelor’s degree in business or a related discipline.
15+ years of progressive experience in corporate strategy, management consulting, executive-level business management, or a related strategic leadership role.
Demonstrated experience leading or shaping a strategy function within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
Strong knowledge of the financial services industry, ideally including experience with payments and/or treasury functions.
Exceptional executive communication skills, with the ability to distill complex analysis into clear, compelling narratives for senior executives, Boards, and other key stakeholders.
Strong business acumen and systems thinking, with the ability to connect strategy, finance, risk, operations, client needs, and organizational priorities.
Proven ability to influence without direct authority, build alignment across senior stakeholders, and constructively challenge assumptions.
Sound judgment, diplomacy, and the ability to navigate institutional dynamics in a complex organization.
Comfort operating in ambiguity, balancing long-term strategic thinking with practical execution in a fast-changing environment.
A track record of building trusted relationships with senior leaders and helping teams make high-quality strategic decisions.
Experience working directly with Boards and a strong understanding of corporate governance practices.
Experience supporting enterprise transformation, change leadership, or cultural shifts.
Experience translating strategy into operating models, capabilities, processes, incentives, and day-to-day decision-making practices.
An anticipatory mindset, with the ability to identify emerging strategic questions, risks, opportunities, and decision points before they become urgent.
Credibility as a trusted advisor during periods of complexity, uncertainty, growth, or transition.
Nice to Have
MBA and/or relevant professional designation.
Salary range: $ 175,000- $ 195,000
The salary represents the job rate determined for the successful candidate who is fully competent in the role. The actual salary will vary depending on market conditions and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training.
#LI-Hybrid
Central 1 does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to screen, assess, or select applicants during our recruitment process. This job posting is for an existing, specific vacancy within our organization. All applications will be considered exclusively for the position described in this posting.
Central 1 is an equal opportunity employer and committed to building an inclusive workforce by creating an environment where everyone feels like they belong and has the opportunity to be successful. We welcome all applicants to join our diverse workforce and we will provide an accessible candidate experience including, but not limited to accommodations to interview sites and alternate formats upon request to our Recruitment team.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in business or a related discipline
- 15+ years progressive experience in corporate strategy, management consulting, or executive-level strategic leadership
- Demonstrated experience leading or shaping a strategy function in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
- Strong knowledge of the financial services industry (experience with payments and/or treasury preferred)
- Exceptional executive communication skills for Boards and senior executives
- Strong business acumen and systems thinking to connect strategy, finance, risk, operations, and client needs
- Proven ability to influence without direct authority and build alignment across senior stakeholders
- Experience working directly with Boards and understanding corporate governance practices
- Experience supporting enterprise transformation, change leadership, or cultural shifts
- Experience translating strategy into operating models, capabilities, processes, incentives, and decision practices
- MBA and/or relevant professional designation
What We Do
Central 1 cooperatively empowers credit unions and other financial institutions who deliver banking choice to Canadians. Central 1 provides critical services at scale to enable a thriving credit union system. We do this by collaborating with our clients, developing strategies, products, and services to support the financial well-being of their more than 5 million diverse customers in communities across Canada.
