Manager, Compliance & Research

Role Responsibilities

The Manager, Compliance and Research ensures pension plans registered in Alberta comply with legislation and regulatory standards. This role protects plan members by monitoring risk, reviewing complex filings, leading examinations, and advising on policy improvements.

Compliance Oversight and Plan Review

• Review complex pension plan documents, actuarial valuations, financial statements, amendments, mergers, and wind-ups.
• Interpret and apply legislation to ensure plans meet regulatory requirements.
• Identify compliance gaps and require corrective action where needed.
  
  

Risk Assessment and Examinations
   

• Assess portfolio risk using analytics and regulatory systems.
• Conduct or support on-site examinations of pension plans.
• Prepare formal reports and recommend enforcement action when required.
• Appear before tribunals or court if necessary.
  
  

Policy Analysis and Research
  

• Identify emerging pension trends and legislative gaps.
• Provide research, analysis, and recommendations for policy updates.
• Support special projects and contribute to regulatory modernization.
  
  

Consultation and Stakeholder Support

• Provide expert advice to pension administrators, actuaries, lawyers, trustees, and plan members.
• Investigate complaints and resolve disputes professionally and objectively.
• Maintain strong working relationships with regulators across Canada.
  
  

Reporting and Data Management

• Support development of annual regulatory reports and statistical summaries.
• Oversee reporting extracts for external agencies (e.g., Statistics Canada, CRA).
• Contribute to website updates, regulatory forms, and communication materials.
  
  

Leadership and Mentorship
 

• Supervise one Compliance Officer.
• Mentor and train new compliance staff.
• Promote consistent application of legislation across the unit.
  
  

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.   

• Systems Thinking: Sees how pension funding, governance, legislation, and stakeholder actions connect and impact risk.
• Develop Networks: Builds strong relationships with regulators, industry professionals, and internal partners.
• Agility: Adapts quickly to legislative changes, emerging risks, and evolving pension models.
• Drive for Results: Takes ownership to resolve compliance issues thoroughly and on time.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Encourages open dialogue while maintaining regulatory authority and fairness.
• Develop Self and Others: Shares knowledge, mentors staff and continuously strengthens technical expertise.
• Creative Problem Solving: Analyzes complex pension issues and develops practical, defensible solutions.

Qualifications

A University degree in Business, Law, Economics, Human Resources, Management, Actuarial Studies, or related field. Minimum 4 years of experience in the pension industry (regulatory compliance, plan administration, actuarial consulting, or pension consulting).

• Strong knowledge of the Employment Pension Plans Act (EPPA) and related regulations.
• Understanding of actuarial principles, trust law, tax law (Income Tax Act – pensions), and accounting principles related to pension plans.
• Experience reviewing actuarial valuation reports and financial statements.
• Strong analytical, research, and investigative skills.
• Ability to write formal reports and make defensible decisions.
• Ability to testify before a tribunal or court if required.
  
  

The following are considered assets:

• Formal pension certification (PPAC, CEBS, Osgoode Pension Law Certificate, or similar).
• Experience conducting regulatory examinations or audits.
• Experience developing policy or legislative recommendations.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Experience mentoring or supervising staff.
  
  

Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a full-time position working 7.25 hours per day / 36.25 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

Final Candidates for this position will be asked to undergo a security screening.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies at the same or lower levels across the Government of Alberta.

Positions will be located in the Terrace building located at 9515 107 St NW, Edmonton

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.