Director, Risk and Compliance

Telesat • Ottawa • 2w ago

Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT) is a leading global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecommunications, corporate and government customers for over 50 years. Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat has grown to be one of the largest and most successful global satellite operators.

Telesat Lightspeed, our revolutionary Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, scheduled to begin service in 2027, will revolutionize global broadband connectivity for enterprise users by delivering a combination of high capacity, security, resiliency and affordability with ultra-low latency and fiber-like speeds. Telesat is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and has offices and facilities around the world.

The company’s state-of-the-art fleet consists of 14 GEO satellites, the Canadian payload on ViaSat-1 and one LEO 3 demonstration satellite. For more information, follow Telesat on X and LinkedIn or visit www.telesat.com [http://www.telesat.com/]

This critical leadership role involves overseeing risk management, regulatory compliance, internal audit, internal controls, and fostering a strong risk-aware culture. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of risk assessment, legal requirements, industry best practices, and internal control frameworks.

Main Responsibilities:

Risk Management:
Develop and implement a comprehensive risk management framework.
Identify, assess, and prioritize risks across all business functions.
Collaborate with department heads to establish risk mitigation strategies.
Regulatory Compliance:
Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Monitor changes in the regulatory landscape and adapt policies accordingly.
Conduct internal audits and assessments to verify compliance.
Internal Audit:
Oversee the internal audit function, ensuring independence and effectiveness.
Coordinate audit plans, risk assessments, and audit execution.
Review audit findings and recommend corrective actions.
Internal Controls:
Design, implement, and monitor internal control processes.
Assess the effectiveness of controls related to financial reporting, operations, and compliance.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to strengthen control environments.
Policy Development:
Create and maintain risk management policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Communicate policies to employees and provide training as needed.
Promote a culture of compliance and ethical behavior.
Board Reporting:
Present risk assessments and compliance updates to the board of directors.
Assist the board in setting risk appetite and tolerance levels.
Provide insights on strategic decisions from a risk perspective.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Collaborate with external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and auditors.
Build strong relationships with internal teams to drive risk awareness.
Represent the organization in industry forums and conferences.
Risk Culture Development:
Foster a risk-aware culture throughout the organization.
Encourage employees to report risks and near-misses promptly.
Promote transparency and accountability.
Value Creation:
Balance risk and reward to enhance organizational value.
Identify opportunities for innovation and growth.
Collaborate with business units to optimize risk-return trade-offs.

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Law, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
Certified Risk Professional (CRP) or equivalent certification.
Minimum of 8 years of experience in risk management, compliance, or related roles.
Strong knowledge of industry regulations, internal controls, and best practices.
Excellent communication, leadership, and analytical skills.

At Telesat, we take pride in being an equal opportunity employer that values equality in the workplace. We are committed to providing the best candidate experience possible including any required accommodations at every stage of our interview process. All qualified applicants that have been selected for an interview that require accommodations, are advised to inform the Telesat Talent team accordingly. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential.