Director, Product Taxation

Canada Life; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Canada Life in Winnipeg is seeking a Director, Product Taxation to lead tax strategies across Insurance Solutions. You will provide expert guidance on Canadian tax rules, support product design, distribution, and client solutions, and partner with legal, compliance, tax and actuarial teams to integrate tax considerations into business initiatives.

The role requires broad experience in insurance taxation, strong leadership, and the ability to translate complex tax concepts into practical business

Qualifications

• CPA designation or equivalent education and experience.
• 6 to 9+ years of related experience in tax and insurance.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian income tax and group product taxation.
• Ability to translate complex taxation into practical business guidance.
• Experience with cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and interpret the impact of tax legislation and regulatory changes for strategic business units.
• Provide research and consulting on complex tax queries and ensure products are tax efficient.
• Analyze investment structures and fund products from a tax perspective.
• Lead, mentor, and collaborate with cross-functional teams and external advisors.
• Participate in industry committees and engage with tax policy makers.

Skills

Insurance tax knowledge

Leadership

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Regulatory awareness

Education

CPA designation or equivalent education and experience

Job description

Permanent Full Time

Reporting to the AVP, Product Taxation & Financial Underwriting, the Director, Product Taxation plays a critical role in advancing the strategic objectives of the Insurance Solutions Division. As a recognized subject matter expert in insurance taxation, this role provides leadership and consultation on complex taxation matters impacting product design, distribution strategies, business initiatives, and customer outcomes.

The successful candidate will partner closely with business leaders and cross‑functional teams across Product, Distribution, Legal, Compliance, Tax, Actuarial, and Financial Underwriting functions to ensure taxation considerations are effectively incorporated into business strategies, product development, and client solutions. This role is responsible for monitoring legislative and regulatory changes, assessing impacts to the business, and providing strategic guidance that supports innovative, compliant, and market-relevant insurance solutions.

The Director, Product Taxation serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, influencing decision-making through deep technical expertise, sound judgment, and a strong understanding of the insurance and financial services industry. This role requires the ability to translate complex taxation concepts into practical business recommendations while balancing risk management, customer needs, and organizational objectives.

What you will do

• Monitor, analyze, interpret, and explain the impact of taxation arising from new and existing tax legislation, regulations, court cases, changes to tax treaties, technical interpretations and administrative positions of the CRA or Revenu Québec, and federal and provincial income tax, excise, and sales tax legislation for strategic business units to support product development, marketing, administration, escalations, and tax reporting requirements.
• Provide research and consulting to business areas on complex tax queries or scenarios, marketing material reviews, product development, and business initiatives. Ensure Canada Life products are designed to be tax effective and that any associated risks are identified and understood by the business, including evaluating and explaining proposed tax solutions at the appropriate level, assisting with decision making, implementing the change, and any corrective action required to ensure it is compliant.
• Analyze complex investment structures and products, including fund product life cycles from a tax implication and optimization perspective.
• Leadership, including an aptitude to share knowledge, provide guidance and input to other team members, conduct research, and build collaborative relationships with business partners and advisors.
• Be involved in industry committees, working groups or task forces, and negotiations with tax policy makers, while keeping leaders informed. Utilize and share these resources.

What you will bring

• CPA designation or equivalent education and experience.
• 6 to 9+ years of related experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of general tax principles and Canadian income tax legislation, with specific experience related to the taxation of group products and investment fund taxation.
• Proven research skills and ability to apply and articulate complex legislation to general or fact-based situations and arrive at logical opinions.
• Leadership skills and ability to influence, guide, interpret, and share complex technical knowledge in a clear and concise manner, and to develop valued collaborative relationships while managing priorities and meeting delivery dates.
• Knowledge of financial institutions, benefit plans, group insurance products, investment products, and tax compliance matters, including the collection and administration of commodity taxes.
• Excellent communication skills, analytical mindset, critical thinking, and the ability to utilize professional judgement in ambiguous tax matters or situations.

The base salary for this position is between $XX,XXX - $XX,XXX annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation ( i.e. annual bonus, commission etc).

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Grow with Canada Life

We’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the financial, physical and mental well‑being of Canadians. Our company is trusted by 1 in 3 Canadians and contributes to the strength of communities across the country.

We’re looking for people who live our values everyday: we step up, we do the right thing, and we deliver – for our customers, communities and each other. Are you someone who always strives to do the right thing, who steps up for themselves and others, and who delivers with impact? Then we want to hear from you!

What we offer

We’re committed to supporting our employees through every stage of their career. Here’s what you can expect as a full‑time or part‑time permanent team member:

• Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry‑leading learning programs and up to$2,000 annually towards education reimbursement.
• Health & Wellness:Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well‑being.
• Time Off:In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.
• Financial Security:Company-matching pension plan,share ownership program and additionalinvestment options.
• Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
• Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.

Learn more about Canada Life.

We’re committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact [e-mail]. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Canada Life policies.

Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.