Overview First Canadian is a national organization and we are experiencing unprecedented growth! We aim to hire bright, hard‑working people who share our values. We seek employees who are committed to learning, career growth, and opportunity. We take pride in being an organization that our employees support long‑term. We believe in our employees and celebrate their success by asking for employee opinions and feedback so that we continue to be a Great Place to Work. Benefits Off‑work 1 hour early on Fridays. Earned Time‑Off Program and vacation. Group Retirement Savings Plan with employer match. On‑site gym. Educational assistance and career development. Employee benefits. Health and Wellness spending account. Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Employee discount programmes. A Culture Team dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and employee programmes. Employee recognition and appreciation events. About the Position The Director, Group Retirement & Savings reporting to the Head of Group Benefits is based out of the LeMarchand Mansion in downtown Edmonton. The Director will lead the design of a new business line, oversee product development and the selection of technology providers that complement the organization’s existing infrastructure and product offerings. This role is responsible for establishing strategic partnerships and vendor relationships, creating distribution channels, and ensuring full regulatory and licensing compliance. The Director will drive the strategy and execution needed to deliver innovative retirement and savings solutions while building a scalable, compliant, and customer‑focused operation. Essential Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Define and execute the strategic roadmap for the Group Retirement & Savings business line. Design the operating model, product strategy, and go‑to‑market framework for sustainable growth. Lead the launch of a new retirement and savings platform leveraging strategic partners and third‑party technology providers that complement the organization’s existing infrastructure. Provide guidance on regulatory changes, retirement market trends, competitive positioning, and growth opportunities. Product Development & Technology Implementation Lead the design, development, and launch of innovative group retirement and savings products. Establish the long‑term technology ecosystem for retirement products, ensuring scalability, security, and seamless integration with the organization’s existing Group Benefits infrastructure. Oversee the selection and implementation of enabling technology platforms (administration, reporting, client interfaces). Lead vendor and partner evaluation processes, including RFP development and management for group retirement savings platforms and technology partners. Partnerships & Vendor Management Establish relationships and lead negotiations and contractual arrangements with key partners including recordkeepers, custodians, asset managers, and technology vendors to support product delivery and operational infrastructure. Establish strong governance frameworks to manage service providers and ensure accountability. Drive continuous improvement in partner performance and alignment with corporate objectives. Operations & Distribution Build and lead a high‑performing operations team to support administration, reporting, and customer service. Ensure strong collaboration and operational alignment between the Group Retirement and Savings functions and existing Group Benefits operations. Establish operational workflows, service models, and performance metrics to support efficient and scalable growth. Collaborate with sales and marketing to position offerings effectively in the marketplace. Establish distribution channels, including advisor networks, brokers, and institutional partners. Regulatory & Compliance Ensure all products, operations, and distribution models comply with applicable regulations and licensing requirements (CIRO, CRA, CAPSA, provincial pension legislation, provincial regulators, etc.). Develop internal policies and risk management frameworks that align with industry best practices and regulatory standards. Serve as the key liaison with regulators and industry bodies on matters related to retirement and savings compliance. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field is considered a strong asset. MBA or advanced designation considered a strong asset. Professional designation(s) such as CFA, CFP, CEBS, or equivalent considered an asset. 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in financial services, with a strong background in group retirement and savings, or investment products. Proven experience in product development, operations build‑out, and regulatory compliance. Strong knowledge of Canadian regulatory environment governing group retirement and savings plans. Reside within the local Edmonton Area as the role is required to be in office full‑time. Intermediate to advanced skill with Microsoft Office (Word/Excel) is required. Fluent in English with proven competencies in verbal and written communication is required. Fluent in French with proven competencies in verbal and written communication is an asset. Proven ability in people management and change management to drive a high performing culture is required/an asset. Successful completion of a credit check, criminal background check, education verification, license and certification verification, and employment reference checks is required before employment. Thank you for considering our organization. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. Accommodations are available upon request. #J-18808-Ljbffr