Head of Total Rewards & Talent Intelligence

Securian Canada; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Securian Canada is seeking a Head of Total Rewards & Talent Intelligence to lead the compensation and workforce analytics functions for a high-growth environment in Canada. You will set total rewards strategy, oversee executive compensation, and drive data-informed decisions to support growth and organizational resilience.

The role requires strategic leadership and hands-on execution, partnering with senior leadership and the Board to align rewards with business priorities while advancing people

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in total rewards, including compensation design and executive compensation.
• Experience in growth-oriented, evolving, or transformation environments.
• Strong capability in data and talent analytics.
• Exposure to M&A, integration, or large-scale organizational change initiatives.
• Experience preparing materials and insights for senior executives and Boards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and evolution of an integrated total rewards strategy aligned with business objectives, culture, and growth ambitions.
• Oversee all aspects of compensation, including base, incentive, and other variable programs.
• Develop and maintain a clear, consistent compensation philosophy across the organization.
• Evaluate market competitiveness and effectiveness of programs, recommending adjustments as needed.
• Provide governance and reporting materials for Board and committees.

Skills

Total Rewards design

Executive compensation

People analytics

M&A integration

Board materials preparation

Job description

Position Title: Head of Total Rewards & Talent Intelligence

Reports to: Chief Human Experience Officer

THE COMPANY

Securian Canada is a technology-enabled insurance organization with more than 70 years of experience serving Canadians through financial institutions, associations, affinity organizations, and other strategic distribution partners. As an independent subsidiary of Securian Financial Group, the company combines deep local market expertise with the resources and scale of a leading North American insurance organization. Focused on helping Canadians build greater financial security, Securian Canada offers a range of life, creditor, and specialty insurance solutions designed to meet evolving consumer needs. The organization has established a strong reputation for customer-focused innovation, leveraging technology, data, and digital capabilities to enhance both product offerings and client experiences.

In recent years, Securian Canada has experienced significant growth and transformation through strategic investments, business expansion, and acquisition activity, further strengthening its market position. Despite its increased scale and sophistication, the organization continues to foster a culture characterized by agility, collaboration, inclusion, and an entrepreneurial approach to innovation and continuous improvement.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Chief Human Experience Officer, the Head of Total Rewards & Talent Intelligence is a critical leadership role responsible for shaping and executing a holistic total rewards and talent analytics strategy.

This role integrates deep functional leadership in compensation and rewards with the forward-looking use of data and insights to inform talent and business decisions. The mandate spans strategy, design, governance, and execution, while serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and the Board on compensation matters.

The Head of Total Rewards & Talent Intelligence leads a team and plays a central role in ensuring that reward strategies, talent insights, and workforce decisions are scalable, financially sustainable, and aligned with business priorities.

This is a build-and-shape role, requiring a leader who can operate both strategically and hands-on, establishing frameworks, elevating capabilities, and delivering impact to the business in a high-growth environment.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead the design and evolution of an integrated total rewards strategy aligned with business objectives, culture, and growth ambitions
• Oversee all aspects of compensation, including base, incentive, and other variable programs
• Develop and maintain a clear, consistent compensation philosophy across the organization
• Evaluate market competitiveness and effectiveness of programs, recommending adjustments as needed

Executive Compensation & Governance

• Lead executive compensation design, modelling, and governance
• Prepare materials and provide insights for Board and Committee reporting, including compensation analysis and recommendations
• Ensure strong governance, internal controls, and compliance with applicable standards

People Analytics & Workforce Insights

• Lead a People Analytics function to enable data-driven talent decision making
• Develop insights related to workforce trends, capability gaps, performance, engagement, and retention
• Translate data into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leadership
• Advance the use of systems, analytics, and dashboards across the organization

Enterprise Partnership & Advisory

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Senior Leadership Team on compensation, workforce planning, and organizational design
• Partner across HR and the business to align rewards, talent priorities, and enterprise goals

M&A and Strategic Initiatives

• Lead Total Rewards and People Analytics support for M&A due diligence and post acquisition integration
• Provide guidance on compensation harmonization, workforce alignment, and organizational implications
• Support broader strategic initiatives, including growth, restructuring, and expansion efforts

Operational Excellence & Risk Management

• Ensure accuracy and integrity of critical processes including compensation cycles and executive reporting
• Drive operational efficiency, process improvement, and automation based on modern AI tools
• Identify and mitigate financial, compliance, and operational risks
• Lead and develop a small, high-impact team across Total Rewards and People Analytics
• Build a strong consultative capability within the team
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Experience & Expertise

• Deep expertise in total rewards, including compensation design and executive compensation
• Experience in growth-oriented, evolving, or transformation environments
• Strong capability in data and talent analytics
• Exposure to M&A, integration, or large-scale organizational change initiatives
• Experience preparing materials and insights for senior executives and Boards

Leadership Capabilities

• Enterprise mindset with the ability to align people strategies with business priorities
• Credible advisor to senior leaders, with strong influencing skills
• Ability to balance strategy and execution in a resource-conscious environment
• Proven experience building and leading high-performing teams

Personal Characteristics

• Strong commercial acumen and financial discipline
• Pragmatic, resilient, and comfortable operating in ambiguity and pace
• High integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to fairness and transparency
• Collaborative, relationship-oriented, and effective across diverse stakeholder groups