Full-Time
Associate Director
Technology Strategy and Innovation
OMERS
Manages defined-benefit pension plan assets
Compensation Overview
$138k - $188k/yr
Toronto, ON, Canada
Hybrid
Four days in the office per week are required.
Bachelor's, Master's
 Business & Strategy (1) |
|---|
Get referred to OMERS
See people who can refer or advise you
- A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required.
- Eight to ten or more years of leadership experience in technology, focused on data, analytics, and artificial intelligence implementation.
- Advanced working knowledge of Structured Query Language and Python.
- Demonstrated success in technology business partnering or similar strategic roles.
- Strong understanding of data, analytics, artificial intelligence platforms, and emerging technologies.
- A proven track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving business-aligned technology outcomes.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship management skills.
- Ability to navigate complex issues with sound judgment and resilience.
- Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Strong leadership skills and ability to manage a team effectively through change.
- Act as a trusted advisor to internal business units by understanding their strategy, priorities, and challenges.
- Participate in, build, and drive solutions in the proof-of-concept stage to demonstrate value to customers.
- Collaborate with technology and business teams to co-develop and execute customer-centric technology roadmaps for data and artificial intelligence solutions.
- Advocate for the adoption of Data and Technology programs and ensure alignment with customer goals.
- Establish a scalable engagement model that delivers value to stakeholders and enhances the relationship between Data and Technology and internal customers.
- Stay current with artificial intelligence updates, trends, and industry best practices.
- Lead and mentor a high-performing team of customer success and innovation professionals.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across Data and Technology.
- Provide strategic direction, coaching, and professional development to team members.
- Demonstrate thought leadership by contributing innovative ideas and insights that drive business-unit strategic direction.
- Build and nurture relationships with the Data and Technology Leadership Team and technology stakeholders across the organization.
- Support leadership in developing technology operating and interaction models and strategies.
- Act as an intake point for new initiatives and escalations.
- Build and orchestrate cross-organizational technology teams to deliver cohesive technology solutions.
- Share learnings with Data and Technology to drive continuous improvement and operational effectiveness.
- Serve as the subject-matter expert on artificial intelligence models within the business context, explaining how models work, their limitations, and potential applications and use cases.
- Collaborate with team members to identify opportunities for agentic workflows and artificial-intelligence-augmented decision-making.
- Identify and drive innovation initiatives that enable growth, efficiency, and improved organizational decision-making.
- Support workshops and training sessions that promote experimentation and artificial intelligence adoption.
- Support the team in navigating the ecosystem of artificial intelligence vendors and tools.
- Perform research and competitive analysis to provide framework-driven recommendations on build-versus-buy scenarios.
- Assess the business impact of emerging technologies, especially in data and analytics.
- Develop an understanding of organizational and external technology capabilities and advise customers and technology leaders on leveraging them for initiatives.
- An advanced degree such as a Master of Business Administration or technology degree is preferred.
- Experience working across domains such as human resources, finance, real estate, or public/private investments.
OMERS is a large Canadian defined benefit pension plan that administers pensions and manages investments for active, deferred, and retired employees of Ontario municipalities, school boards, libraries, police and fire departments, and other local agencies. It is funded by member contributions and investment returns, with OMERS handling member records, retirement benefits, and pension payments while investing to grow the fund for future payouts. It stands out as one of Canada’s largest defined benefit plans by net assets (about C$138.2 billion as of Dec 31, 2024) and has a long history, with offices around the world supporting a diverse asset base. Its goal is to provide secure, sustainable retirement benefits for its members while prudently investing the fund to maintain long-term financial strength.
Company Size
N/A
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
$274.2M
Headquarters
Toronto, Canada
Founded
1962
Get referred to OMERS
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- OMERS returned 6.0% in 2025 and grew net assets to C$145.2 billion.
- June 2026 leadership changes put Michael Hill over infrastructure and private equity, simplifying decision-making.
- The June 19, 2026 Deutsche Glasfaser recapitalization added €845 million equity and €400 million liquidity.
What critics are saying
- Private equity lost 2.5% in 2025, including currency drag, after its first loss since 2020.
- OMERS Ventures cut US staff in July 2025; headcount fell to 12 from 19.
- Deutsche Glasfaser still carries €6.94 billion debt after June 2026 recapitalization; refinancing stress persists.
What makes OMERS unique
- OMERS managed C$145.2 billion across private equity, infrastructure, credit, and real estate in 2025.
- Its infrastructure platform pairs direct ownership with growing co-investments and external fund relationships, per July 2026.
- Oxford Properties gives OMERS a global real-asset operating platform beyond pure pension investing.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Flexible Work Hours
Hybrid Work Options
Professional Development Budget
Conference Attendance Budget
Company News
Omers appoints CAAT exec to lead private equity funds strategy. * July 31, 2026 * - 9:14 am Omers has appointed Adam Buzanis as head of funds as the Canadian pension fund continues to expand its private equity fund investment platform and increase its focus on co-investments and external manager relationships, according to a report by Bloomberg. Buzanis joins from CAAT Pension Plan, where he most recently served as head of private markets after previously leading the organisation's private equity strategy. He will take up the new role on 3 August and report to Michael Block, who oversees private capital investments at Omers. The appointment comes as Omers continues to reshape its private equity business, placing greater emphasis on fund investments and partnerships with external managers rather than traditional direct buyouts. In his new position, Buzanis will be responsible for developing Omers' external private equity funds strategy while helping expand the pension plan's co-investment programme. The hire is the latest in a series of senior leadership changes within Omers' investment division. Former chief investment officer Ralph Berg recently departed to join Temasek, while earlier this month Omers promoted Michael Hill to global head of infrastructure and private equity and broadened Block's responsibilities across private capital. Omers has been repositioning its private equity platform over the past two years, including ending direct buyout activity in Europe in favour of investing alongside strategic partners and through third-party private equity fund managers.
FSRA announces appointment of Julie Giraldi as Chief Human Resources Officer. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Giraldi, CHRE, ICD.D, as its new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective July 13, 2026. Julie joins FSRA with extensive executive leadership experience in human resources, organizational transformation, talent strategy, culture, and governance. She is recognized for her ability to build high-performing teams, strengthen organizational culture, and align people strategies with business objectives in complex and evolving environments. Most recently, Julie served as Chief Human Resources Officer at CAAT Pension Plan, where she led all aspects of people and culture, including talent management, leadership development, employee engagement, succession planning, total rewards, and employee communications. During her tenure, she played a key role in leading the organization through a period of unprecedented growth - including a 500% increase in headcount, while increasing employee engagement to 85%. Her leadership contributed to CAAT's recognition as an employer of choice. She left CAAT in the summer of 2025. Prior to joining CAAT Pension Plan, Julie held senior leadership positions at OMERS, the Ontario Hospital Association, eHealth Ontario, and TTC where she led major initiatives focused on business transformation, organizational effectiveness, workforce development, and change management. She has also contributed extensively to governance and board leadership through roles with organizations including the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), National Diabetes Trust, and Diabetes Canada. Most recently, Julie was appointed to the Board of Directors of Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, further demonstrating her commitment to governance excellence and serving the broader community. Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, is a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE), and has earned the prestigious ICD.D designation through the Institute of Corporate Directors and Rotman School of Management. As CHRO, Julie will lead FSRA's people and culture function, supporting the organization's commitment to fostering a high-performing, inclusive, and engaged workplace while advancing strategic talent and leadership priorities. FSRA continues to work on behalf of all stakeholders, including consumers, to ensure financial safety, fairness, and choice for everyone. Announcements
OMERS reshuffles private markets team after CIO exit. * July 3, 2026 * - 9:13 am OMERS has appointed Michael Hill as global head of infrastructure and private equity as part of an investment team reshuffle triggered by the departure of chief investment officer Ralph Berg, according to a report by Bloomberg. Hill, who is based in New York, joined OMERS in 2023 from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, where he focused on private equity investments in the energy sector. He was previously head of infrastructure at OMERS. Berg is leaving the CAD145bn pension plan to join Singapore's Temasek. Following his departure, OMERS chief executive Blake Hutcheson has assumed CIO responsibilities. The changes follow a difficult year for OMERS' private equity business, which recorded its first annual loss since 2020 after declining 2.5% in 2025. The pension plan attributed the performance to weakness in its earlier-stage growth and venture portfolios, as well as currency losses. Under the new structure, Michael Block will take on a broader private capital mandate focused on deepening relationships with private fund managers.
2022- World News | TakeToNews
Dominion Dynamics shattered records for the largest Series A fundraise in Canadian defence history on buy-in from OMERS, BDC. Read on.