
Director, Data Analytics & Innovation, Assurance and Advisory (A&A)
- Toronto, ON
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Stimulating work in a fast-paced and intellectually challenging environment
- Accelerated exposure and responsibility
- Global career development opportunities
- Diverse and inspiring colleagues and approachable leaders
- A hybrid-flexible work environment with an emphasis on in-person collaboration
- A culture rooted in principles of integrity, partnership, and high performance
- An organization with an important social purpose that positively impacts lives
- Develop and lead the implementation of advanced data analytics and machine learning (ML) strategies to drive risk insights, audit automation, and continuous monitoring.
- Introduce and validate emerging technologies such as natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLMs), and robotic process automation (RPA) within audit engagements
- Partner with audit teams to embed data science capabilities into audit tools and workflows to drive efficiency in the audit process.
- Lead experimentation through proof-of-concepts or pilots, ensuring alignment with A&A strategy.
- Review Generative AI (GenAI) applications to assess their governance, risk management, and compliance with internal controls, ensuring ethical use, data integrity, and alignment with internal policies.
- Champion ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), including bias mitigation, transparency, and alignment with corporate values.
- Leverage your knowledge of data governance principles to analyze complex IT systems supporting key business processes to identify areas for improvement and recommend effective solutions.
- Communicate complex technical risks in a business-friendly manner to senior leadership.
- Lead training and mentorship programs to develop data analytics capabilities within the A&A team.
- Foster an inclusive team environment based on trust, with a safe to speak up culture.
- Proactively provide guidance, coaching and opportunities to A&A team members to develop their knowledge, skills, and career.
- Promote continuous professional development and foster innovation within the A&A team.
- Collaborate with HR and senior leadership to attract and retain top talent in A&A.
- Demonstrate the highest ethical standards and role-model CPP Investments' Guiding Principles of integrity, high performance, and partnership.
- Build and maintain strong and effective working relationships with management across the first and second lines of defence to ensure they receive optimal value from A&A's work.
- Role-model our “no surprises” approach and transparency with management.
- Provide ongoing thought leadership to the business, not just during audits.
- Embed enterprise-wide priorities into A&A and play a connector role across the organization based on your exposure to different areas.
- A Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field is required.
- A PhD is strongly preferred.
- MIT Applied Data Science certification or equivalent professional development is an asset.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in data science, internal audit, and technology innovation, ideally in financial services.
- Proven ability to embed analytics and automation into assurance environments.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and deploying AI/ML models, and automation tools (e.g., Alteryx, Python, Azure, AWS).
- Experience with automation, AI-driven risk management, and Generative AI (GenAI) applications.
- Proficiency in Python, SQL, R, and cloud platforms (AWS preferred).
- Experience with data modeling, predictive analytics, and natural language processing.
- Strong foundation in IT general controls and technology risk frameworks.
- Understanding of control design and audit in complex data ecosystems.
- Proven ability to write succinct audit reports that provide meaningful insights to senior leadership.
- Experience in leading and mentoring teams, with a track record of developing high-performing professionals.
- Self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team having a “hands on” approach as well as appreciate diversity of thought and opinions.
- Superior communication skills (written and oral) with the ability to take concepts or events and present them simply, concisely and effectively.
- Strong judgment and creativity; strong problem-solving and analytical skills; ability to effectively process a large volume of information and draw meaningful/persuasive conclusions.
- Proven ability to build and foster professional relationships and influence others effectively at the management and staff level.
- Ability to adapt to rapidly changing business needs and priorities with strong attention to detail with proven consistency.
- Strong organizational/project management skills, the ability to manage and achieve multiple deadlines, both internal and external.
- Exemplify CPP Investments' Guiding Principles of integrity, high performance and partnership.