AVP, Group - Specialty Personal Insurance

Aviva; Markham; Hybrid; CAD 135,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

A major insurance company based in Markham seeks an experienced AVP of Group, SPI. This role involves overseeing a $1.1B+ group portfolio, leading a team focused on profitable growth, and developing comprehensive business strategies. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the Property and Casualty industry, exceptional people management skills, and strong financial expertise. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $135,000 to $175,000, alongside a flexible hybrid work model and a generous rewards package.

Benefits

Annual bonus eligibility

Retirement savings plan

Health benefits

Competitive vacation package

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Property and Casualty Industry, particularly in Group insurance business.
• Strong financial discipline and understanding of financial issues related to insurance companies.
• Excellent technical understanding of pricing, underwriting, and actuarial techniques.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a $1.1B+ group portfolio.
• Lead Group Portfolio Team to drive profitable growth.
• Develop and maintain business strategies to meet or exceed business plans.

Skills

People Management

Relationship Building

Strategic Analysis

Education

University degree in Business

Advanced degree or professional qualification

Job description

Experience Aviva

Individually we are people, but together we are Aviva. Individually these are just words, but together they are our Values – Care, Commitment, Community, and Confidence.

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

Based in Markham, the AVP of Group, SPI, reports to the Senior Vice President of Product, Propositions & National Underwriting. This role is responsible for overseeing the development and management of a robust end-to-end business strategy for PI Group nationally. The AVP of Aviva Group will lead the Group Portfolio Management team to drive profitable growth sustainably over time while encouraging a positive and dynamic work environment that values people and lives Aviva’s values every day.

This position is crucial in the development and implementation of strategies, group segmentation, marketing programs, tactics and projects that optimize results that meet or exceed the business plan. The mandate includes building a group pipeline of new accounts, monitor trends on existing group and affinity business and partnering with distribution to achieve growth plans and profitability targets in line with plan. Additionally, this position will contribute to the transformation of the group portfolio in line with Aviva’s larger strategic transformation.

What you'll do:

• Accountable for the overall management, growth and profitability for our $1.1B+ group portfolio

• Focuses on the end-to-end performance of the business across broker, direct, partnership distribution channels

• Lead and develop the Group Portfolio Team made up of portfolio managers and specialists

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive business strategy and use this as the guide to develop actions and tactics to meet or exceed business plans.

• Develop monthly insights and presentation of financial performance

• Manage accounts through the Group Portfolio Team, including improving the group intake model through our Salesforce CRM platform

• Leading the cross-functional effort to achieve the best outcomes, including distribution, PI segments, pricing, marketing, claims, finance, reserving, and others

• Ensure clear accountability for, and execution of performance, business plan, strategy, and initiatives

• Develop a ‘book of work’ to deliver all outputs consistent with group customization as the need arises

• Land and ensure adequate and timely execution of pricing, underwriting and operational initiatives to support performance targets

• Ensure we treat customers fairly and have customers at the core of all our activities

• Collaborate with Broker Distribution; RBC Partnership team; and PCI partnership team for specific bids/deals for groups and affinities to ensure they are in line with performance indications, target segments and could drive sales

What you'll bring:

• University degree specializing in Business, Advance degree and/or professional qualification preferred

• Extensive experience in Property and Casualty Industry (emphasis on Group insurance business is an asset) with a consistent record of success

• Strong People Management Experience

• Strong relationship building and influencing skills with the ability to lead, mentor, and motivate.

• Excellent technical understanding of pricing, underwriting and actuarial techniques. Strong knowledge of Insurance fundamentals

• Strong financial discipline and understanding of financial issues relating to insurance companies

• Excellent strategic analysis skills

• Experience collaborating with and influencing senior management to achieve results in a matrix structure

What you’ll get:

• The salary band for this position ranges from $135,000 to $175,000. 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.

This job advertisement is for an existing vacancy which has been posted both internally & externally.

Aviva Canada may use AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools to assist us throughout the recruitment process to screen, assess or select applicants for a position.

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.