Manager, Claims - Auto

Wawanesa Insurance; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance provider is seeking a Claims Manager – Auto Physical Damage in Ontario, responsible for managing the claims team and ensuring high service standards. With over 10 years in Auto Claims, the ideal candidate will provide leadership and mentorship, ensuring compliance and effective performance. The role includes customer service, budget management, and collaboration with human resources. Strong analytical skills, a degree, and bilingualism in French & English are preferred. Competitive salary range is $110,000 – $150,000.

Benefits

Annual bonus plan

Generous vacation time

Pension plan

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Auto Claims with people-management experience.
• Strong customer-service skills with empathy.
• Proficient in policy wordings and corporate guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service.
• Lead and mentor the claims team.
• Ensure staff performance meets service levels.

Skills

Customer service skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Time management

Negotiation skills

Bilingual in French & English

Education

College diploma or university degree

Chartered Insurance Professional designation

Job description

Employment Details

Employment Type: Existing Role

Working Business Language: English

Location: Toronto (North York), Kitchener, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Dartmouth.

You may work from any of the following locations: Toronto (North York), Kitchener, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Dartmouth.

Compensation and Benefits

At Wawanesa, salary is only one component of a holistic, comprehensive and competitive offering that we provide to our employees. Full‑time and part‑time permanent employees are eligible for an annual bonus plan, leave of absence top‑up programs, generous vacation time, personal days, premium free benefits and a pension plan. The salary offered for this role is estimated to be within the range: $110,000 – $150,000. Candidates with salary expectations outside of the range are still encouraged to apply.

About Us

Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company (“Wawanesa Mutual”), founded in 1896, is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, with over $3.5 billion in annual revenue and assets of $10 billion (CAD). Wawanesa Mutual, with its National Headquarters in Winnipeg, is the parent company of Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance products and services throughout Canada, and Western Financial Group, which distributes personal and business insurance across Canada. We serve more than 1.7 million members in Canada and employ over 3,300 people nationwide. We give back to communities, donating more than $3.5 million annually to charitable organizations, including over $2 million annually in support of people on the front lines of climate change. We are also proud to be recognized as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers.

We offer a hybrid work environment that balances office and remote work: 2 days per week or 15 hours per week in a Wawanesa office.

Job Overview

The Claims Manager – Auto Physical Damage contributes to Wawanesa’s goal of delivering an exceptional and consistent claims service experience by providing leadership to the claims team, focusing on departmental, regional and corporate key business goals and customer service standards.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service.
• Provide leadership, mentorship and development to the claims team.
• Ensure efficient and effective performance of staff to meet claim service levels and customer service standards.
• Identify and address training and developmental needs within the department.
• Provide direction on complex files.
• Work with Human Resources to ensure staff vacancies are filled.
• Ensure compliance with corporate reporting standards.
• Execute annual review of claims files for quality and service.
• Conduct employee performance management and salary review processes.
• Submit annual department budget and monitor variances.
• Maintain positive relationships with local industry and regulatory bodies.
• Stay up-to-date with changes to legislation and trends in the insurance industry.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in Auto Claims with advanced technical knowledge of commercial auto claims handling, including 5+ years of people‑management experience.
• College diploma or university degree (experience may substitute for education).
• Chartered Insurance Professional designation (or equivalent Property and Casualty industry designation) and a desire to continue pursuing relevant industry learning.
• Effective customer‑service skills, including empathy and concern for customers.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Advanced analytical, problem‑solving, and strategic thinking abilities with sound business acumen.
• Highly proficient time‑management and organizational skills, able to prioritize work in a fast‑paced, changing environment.
• Excellent knowledge of policy wordings across all lines of business, corporate guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high‑performing teams, fostering a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional advanced negotiation skills.
• Bilingualism in French & English is an asset.

Diversity Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

At Wawanesa, we are committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) and believe that our strength lies in the diversity of our people – this is supported by having a representative workforce.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including racialized persons, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, gender‑diverse and neurodiverse individuals, and anyone who can contribute to the further diversification of thought and ideas.

We aim to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all candidates. If you require accommodations during any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out in confidence to [e-mail].

All Wawanesa job applicants are subject to Wawanesa's Privacy Policy.

Please note that this position may involve the use of AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants. All final decisions are taken or reviewed by human recruiters and hiring leaders in compliance with all applicable legislation.