Leader - Desk Appraisal Team

Aviva; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in insurance and property restoration is seeking a Desk Appraisal Team Leader. This position involves overseeing a team of estimators, ensuring accurate repair estimates for property damage while fostering a culture of accountability and performance. Ideal candidates have 5-10 years of experience with Xactimate and strong leadership skills.

Benefits

Competitive salary and bonuses

Career development opportunities

Health benefits

Flexible vacation package

Corporate wellness programs

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience with Xactimate in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of managing teams in restoration or insurance sectors.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of estimators in property restoration.
• Ensure all estimates adhere to industry standards.
• Develop standard operating procedures for estimating workflows.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time Management

Customer Service

Continuous Improvement

Education

CIP designation

Post-secondary education in insurance, construction, or business

Tools

Xactimate

Job description

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.

We are currently seeking a strong, people-focused leader to oversee a Desk Appraisal Team . This team applies its technical expertise to ac curately assess building damage and create repair estimates for property losses under $250,000, in alignment with industry construction standards and company protocols.

In this role, you will ensure a robust control environment for both personal and commercial property losses—focusing on the team scope accuracy, appropriate pricing , and customer experience. The group operates remotely, with occasional fieldwork required to support strategic initiatives and special projects.

Come join our team!

What you'll do:

• Lead and support a team of estimators responsible for writing detailed property restoration estimates using Xactimate for residential and commercial losses.

• Ensure all estimates accurately reflect the scope of work, adhere to internal guidelines, and align with industry standards for water, fire, mold, and storm damage restoration.

• Review and approve complex or high-value estimates, providing strategic input on pricing, and scope validation.

• Support and mentor estimators on Xactimate best practices, restoration techniques, and evolving insurance requirements.

• Collaborate closely with project managers, customers, and adjusters to ensure seamless communication and alignment of job scope and timelines.

• Monitor team performance, turnaround times, and estimate accuracy, implementing process improvements to drive efficiency and customer satisfaction.

• Stay current on restoration industry trends, insurance carrier expectations, and Xactimate updates to ensure the team remains competitive and compliant.

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for estimating workflows, documentation, and quality assurance.

• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and high performance within the estimating team.

• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations to build a strong, capable estimating department.

• Track, analyze, and report on key estimating metrics to make informed decisions, driving continuous i mprovement .

What you'll bring:

• 5–10 years of hands-on experience with Xactimate, including experience as a project manager or supervisor in restoration or insurance-related estimating.

• CIP designation and/or post-secondary education in a relevant field (e.g., insurance, construction, business) are considered strong assets.

• Proven experience managing or overseeing teams, preferably within the insurance or property restoration sectors.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor, coach, and support a high-performing team.

• Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with a talent for prioritizing and delegating tasks effectively.

• Clear and professional communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and with external partners.

• A proactive attitude with a focus on continuous improvement, quality assurance, and customer service excellence.

What You’ll Get:

• 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.

• 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

Please note that we may use AI tools to help us through the recruitment process. This is a new position which has been posted both internally & externally .

Aviva Canada has an accommodation process in place to provide accommodations for employees with disabilities. If upon commencement of employment you require a specific accommodation because of a disability, please contact your Talent Acquisition Partner so that an appropriate accommodation can be arranged. This process applies throughout your career with Aviva Canada.

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