Corporate structure
Office of the President and CEO
Reporting to the Board of Directors of the OMERS Administration Corporation, the President and CEO is responsible for the overall management of OMERS, its investment entities and operating divisions. The President incorporates Board direction into the development of OMERS Strategic Plan and its annual operating goals and objectives.
Public Markets
OMERS Capital Markets (OCM) manages the public market investments portfolio of bonds, currencies and other interest-bearing assets, as well as publicly traded equities in Canadian and global financial markets. OCM is responsible for prudently investing funds with the objective of achieving the highest, most consistent returns commensurate with the risk profile of the OMERS Fund and its other principal objectives.
Infrastructure
Borealis Infrastructure is a leader in developing infrastructure investing as an asset class. Borealis manages a global portfolio of infrastructure investments: inflation-sensitive assets that are critical to the long-term success of a modern industrial economy. These investments require long-term capital commitments and typically generate consistent annual cash flows: a perfect fit in meeting OMERS long-term pension obligations.
Real Estate
Oxford Properties Group is responsible for carrying out OMERS strategy of developing a global enterprise in the real estate sector. This strategy is focused on owning and managing large-scale assets and diverse property types in varied geographic markets, to achieve superior risk-adjusted returns. Well-managed real estate investments generate reliable cash flows and typically appreciate in value over time in step with inflation: features that enable OMERS to meet our pension promise.
Private Equity
OMERS Private Equity (formerly OMERS Capital Partners) manages a diverse portfolio of fund relationships and direct investments. OMERS will invest up to 10 per cent of its assets in the ownership of equity or equity-like securities in companies that do not generally trade publicly. Our goal is to build a portfolio of investments diversified by geographic market, industry sector, company size, and type of investment.
Strategic Investments
OMERS Strategic Investments is an entity under the OMERS Worldwide brand. From its offices in Toronto, Calgary and London, UK, OMERS Strategic Investments draws on the talents and successes of all OMERS investment teams. OMERS Strategic Investments' mandate is to:- develop strategic co-investment relationships and alliances to forge proprietary investment opportunities;
- create a portfolio of investments in private companies around the world, such as airports, real estate developments, energy projects;
- identify and acquire global access companies that are good investments in their own right and that will provide OMERS with off-market access to investment opportunities, add global reach and provide additional top-tier due diligence resources;
- enhance OMERS investment entities – Oxford Properties, Borealis and OMERS Private Equity – current and future capabilities to source and close deals more efficiently and effectively.
Board Secretariat
The OMERS Board Secretariat provides the OMERS Administration Corporation Board with executive and administrative support, including secretarial functions that document the Board’s decision-making processes at all meetings of the Board and its five Standing Committees.
The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for these areas:
Finance and Administration
Finance and Administration provides essential corporate services to OMERS in financial reporting, administration and strategic planning. Finance and Administration also has a significant role in managing OMERS complex relationships with external professional advisers, such as the Master Custodian, and with other pension plans.
Audit
Internal Audit carries out independent, objective, and value-added assessments of the efficiency, effectiveness and integrity of processes and financial and operating controls of OMERS and its legal entities and affiliated organizations. Internal Audit provides reasonable assurance to management and the AC Board, through the Audit Committee, that the financial, operational, procedural, and information system controls and practices are appropriate and effective to reduce OMERS exposure to risk and loss.
Human Resources
The Human Resources team has a leadership role in managing OMERS intellectual capital – its people – and in promoting OMERS mission, vision and values. Human Resources develops and monitors programs and policies that help employees achieve the goals of the organization, founded upon OMERS value statement, “We treat each other with respect, fairness, trust and dignity.”
The Chief Pension Officer is responsible for OMERS Pension Group:
OMERS Pension Group
OMERS Pension Group provides top-level services to OMERS members and employers, including plan administration in partnership with employers; maintenance of member and pension records; accurate and timely payment of benefits; and up-to-date communication about the plan.
Pension Operations is responsible for developing strategies that build operational excellence through process and cost efficiencies, and realigning the pension operating model to allow for growth and sustainability.
Pension Services is responsible for researching and developing effective policy and legal analysis, recommendations and strategies, to support operational excellence and OMERS position as an industry leader.
The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for these areas:
Business Services
Business Services provides enterprise-wide service and support, in space and facility management, building security, office services, Records and Information Management (RIM), telecom, and business continuance. Business Services ensures that service is carried out and monitored to quality expectations, and that service providers adhere to contractual obligations, quality and service levels.
Information Technology
Information Technology provides leadership and strategic direction in IT initiatives for all areas of OMERS. Its mandate is to provide superior operational services in a cost-effective and secure manner, to assist OMERS in achieving its goals. These services include maintenance of all technology environments and IT applications; IT architecture; IT support and service, desktop services and hardware acquisition; software development; and business continuance.
Corporate Communications
Corporate Communications provides essential communications and media relations support to OMERS. Corporate Communications develops strategies and works with program areas to ensure their communications initiatives reflect corporate goals and messages. Corporate Communications produces OMERS Annual Report and members report, manages OMERS website and intranet, organizes employee and other special events, and provides media monitoring and analysis.
The Government and External Relations role is to ensure OMERS interests are represented at federal, provincial and municipal government levels in legislative and regulatory reforms; and to effectively manage relationships with employer, member and retiree stakeholder groups.
The Chief Legal Officer is responsible for the Legal and Compliance areas:
Legal
The Legal team provides strategic advice to OMERS business units and the AC Board, to ensure that legal risks are well managed. The team is responsible for identifying legal issues affecting OMERS strategic direction and its pension and investment entities. The Compliance team oversees the compliance and subsidiary secretariat functions, the structuring of investment transactions to meet regulatory requirements, and any litigation involving OMERS.