AVP, Government Relations

Aviva Canada; Markham; Hybrid; CAD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Share plan

Hybrid work model

Competitive vacation package

Job summary

Aviva Canada is looking for an AVP, Government Relations based in Markham, Ontario. This role focuses on engaging with government and regulators to influence public policy in alignment with Aviva's strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities include leading regulatory initiatives, influencing legislation, and maintaining Aviva's presence in political developments. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in government relations within the insurance sector and a strong grasp of complex regulatory frameworks.

The position offers a competitive salary range from $170,000 to $190,000 along with a compelling rewards package.

Qualifications

• Extensive government relations or regulatory expertise in Insurance and/or Financial Services.
• Thorough knowledge of Canada’s political landscape.
• Strong understanding of regulation and regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities

• Engage with executives and government officials to influence policy proactively.
• Lead engagement on regulatory initiatives and develop external relationships.
• Influence emerging legislation affecting Aviva's strategic objectives.

Skills

Government relations expertise

Knowledge of Canada’s political landscape

Ability to interpret complex regulations

Commercial acumen

Job description

Experience Aviva

Together, we are Aviva. Our values — Care, Commitment, Community, and Confidence — guide how we show up for each other and for our customers. Individually, they’re words. Together, they define who we are.

At Aviva Canada, we put people first, our employees, our customers, and our communities. We’re proud of a culture built on care, inclusion, and collaboration, where your voice matters and your growth is supported. We’re not just about insurance; we’re about making a real difference by protecting what matters most.

The Opportunity

The regulatory and political landscape in which Aviva Canada operates is complex, fast‑moving, and highly visible. As a leading P&C insurer, our business is directly shaped by public policy and regulatory change—making proactive engagement essential.

We are growing our Regulatory & Government Relations team and are seeking an AVP, Government Relations to help shape and influence the external agenda in support of Aviva’s strategic priorities. In this role, you’ll translate political and regulatory developments into clear business insights, while partnering with senior leaders and external partners to advance policy solutions that benefit both our customers and our business.

This is a unique opportunity to drive impact at the intersection of public policy and business strategy!

What You’ll Do

• Working closely with Executives and senior management to understand business needs and with elected officials, government staff and regulators to influence policy thinking early on (proactive).
• Leading Aviva’s engagement on regulatory initiatives (reactive). This involves developing relationships with wider external partners to ensure a collaborative approach to advocacy engagement with governments and regulators.
• Establishing and maintaining Aviva at the forefront of key political and regulatory developments which impact Aviva and advocating effectively through internal and external influence and representation on external bodies.
• Supporting Executives and senior management with engagement on policy initiatives critical to Aviva with regulators, trade bodies and external partner groups, helping build their external profile, coordinating Aviva’s participation in external trade bodies and stakeholder groups, and representing Aviva in select committees.
• Responsible for influencing emerging Canadian federal and provincial legislation and regulation through:
• Identifying and addressing key political and regulatory opportunities and barriers that prevent Aviva from both achieving its strategic objectives and delivering good outcomes for our customers (proactive advocacy).
• Identifying emerging issues and leading the assessment, understanding and response to critical political and regulatory developments which impact Aviva and our customers in order to pre‑empt adverse outcomes (reactive advocacy). This involves working closely with key collaborators across Aviva (including Executives) to develop our house view and ensure alignment across Aviva, and bringing together external partner groups, trade bodies and our peers to persuade regulators and Government on how regulation and legislation should be reformed.
• Work with senior leaders accountable for Aviva’s strategy to drive thought leadership that articulates a vision for the future and the impact this has on customer needs to define associated changes to policy required in order to secure good outcomes for our customers and the business.
• Credibly represent Aviva and confidently influence key regulatory developments in a highly political, technically complex context and fast changing environment.
• Influence through developing constructive relationships with external stakeholder groups; contributing meaningfully to trade bodies; collaborating with peers where we are aligned; as well as providing impactful targeted support to regulatory/Government initiatives.
• Assist and deputise for the SVP of Regulator and Government Relations, as required.
• Support Aviva Executives and senior management with policy engagement activities; ensuring that they are appropriately informed of relevant external developments and securing a “seat at the table” for them in relevant external forums as well as opportunities to raise their profile (including panel events and speaking opportunities).
• Ensure effective risk management and control framework, maintaining and updating iCare as required.
• Continuously identify and implement opportunities to simplify, digitise and automate our business.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive government relations or regulatory expertise in Insurance and/or Financial Services industries.
• Thorough knowledge of Canada’s political landscape.
• Ability to understand, interpret and communicate complex regulation to a range of audiences, including senior management and Executives.
• Strong understanding of regulation and regulatory expectations faced by Aviva Canada’s business.
• Demonstrate commercial acumen reflecting the perspectives of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong network across industry practitioners.

What You’ll Get

• The salary band for this position ranges from $170,000 to $190,000. Please note that individual salary is determined by factors such as job‑related knowledge, skills and experience, as well as internal equity.
• Compelling rewards package including base compensation, eligibility for annual bonus, retirement savings, share plan, health benefits, personal wellness, and volunteer opportunities.
• Hybrid flexible work model.
• Outstanding career development opportunities.
• We’ll support your professional development education.
• Competitive vacation package with the option to purchase 5 extra days off per year.
• Employee-driven programs focused on gender, LGBTQ+, origins, diversity, and inclusion.
• Corporate wellness programs to support our employees’ physical and mental health.

Aviva Canada welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and has a process in place to provide accommodations for persons with disabilities at all stages of the hiring process and during employment. If you require an accommodation during the interview or hiring process, please contact your Aviva Talent Acquisition Partner so that an appropriate accommodation can be arranged.