Head of Internal Controls

Company Overview

Westaim and CC Capital have joined forces to strategically transform Westaim from a holding company into a global alternative credit asset manager with a unique, integrated insurance platform, branded as The Westaim Corporation. This partnership supports a long-term vision to deliver innovative, customized financial solutions across alternative credit and insurance, creating scalable growth and meaningful client impact.

Ceres USA Holdings, LLC, part of the insurance platform within The Westaim Corporation strategy, is the parent company of Ceres Life Insurance —a fast-growing, technology-driven annuity carrier startup. Ceres is focused on redefining retirement security by combining modern technology, top-tier talent, and strategic partnerships to deliver exceptional annuity solutions and advisor experiences.

Ceres is committed to a client-centered culture that leverages innovation, AI, and digital marketing to strengthen brand awareness, advisor engagement, and customer experience.
Position Summary

The Head of Internal Controls is responsible for designing, implementing, and continuously enhancing Ceres Life's enterprise-wide internal control framework. As the organization continues to grow, this role will establish scalable financial and operational controls that protect company assets, strengthen governance, support regulatory compliance, and improve business processes across the organization.

Working closely with Finance, Operations, Technology, Compliance, Legal, and executive leadership, the Head of Internal Controls proactively evaluates business processes, identifies control gaps, develops remediation plans, and drives a culture of accountability and operational excellence. This role serves as the organization's subject matter expert on internal controls and provides independent oversight to ensure risks are appropriately identified and mitigated while enabling efficient business operations.
Key Responsibilities
Enterprise Internal Controls

- Develop, implement, and maintain the enterprise internal control framework aligned with company strategy, regulatory expectations, and industry best practices.

- Establish standardized control methodologies, documentation standards, and governance processes across all business functions.

- Create and maintain enterprise-wide risk and control matrices (RCMs), process narratives, and control documentation.

- Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of financial, operational, and technology controls and recommend enhancements.

Financial & Operational Controls

- Design preventive and detective controls supporting accounting, treasury, investments, operations, technology, and corporate functions.

- Partner with Finance leadership to strengthen financial reporting controls and accounting processes.

- Evaluate business processes to improve efficiency while maintaining appropriate control standards.

- Lead control redesign initiatives as new products, systems, and business capabilities are introduced.

Risk Assessment & Control Monitoring

- Perform enterprise control risk assessments across critical business functions.

- Develop monitoring programs to assess ongoing control effectiveness.

- Track control deficiencies and oversee timely remediation efforts.

- Report key control metrics, trends, and emerging risks to executive leadership.

Audit & Regulatory Support

- Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external auditors on internal control matters.

- Coordinate audit responses, documentation requests, and remediation activities.

- Ensure the organization remains prepared for regulatory examinations and compliance reviews.

- Monitor evolving regulatory expectations affecting the insurance industry and recommend control enhancements accordingly.

Process Improvement

- Partner with business leaders to identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and process improvement.

- Evaluate new business initiatives, systems implementati