Manager, Strategy & Distribution - Programs - WSI

Wawanesa; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

WSI, a Wawanesa company, seeks a seasoned Manager, Strategy & Distribution - Programs to drive growth through strategic distribution partnerships with MGAs, Program Administrators, and affinity groups. This head-office role collaborates with Canada-wide stakeholders in English.

You will lead business development, negotiate agreements, and manage partner relationships while coordinating with Governance, Legal, Finance, and other leaders to launch new programs and expand market opportunities in a

Qualifications

• 7+ years in commercial or specialty insurance with delegated authority experience.
• Proven success in business development and partner management.
• Strong knowledge of MGA and Program Administrator models.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and executive engagement.

Responsibilities

• Identify, recruit MGAs, Program Administrators, affinity organizations, and other distribution partners.
• Build a pipeline of commercial program opportunities aligned with growth priorities.
• Develop senior industry relationships and represent the company at conferences.
• Support partner qualification, due-diligence, and market assessments.
• Manage MGA and Program Administrator relationships through reviews and planning.
• Create partner growth plans to increase production and market opportunities.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders to resolve issues affecting partners.
• Launch new programs with internal teams and partners.
• Identify new products, market segments, and expansion opportunities.
• Negotiate and maintain partner agreements with Governance, Legal, Finance and leaders.
• Onboard partners and conduct governance reviews.
• Develop annual business development and distribution strategies and forecasts.
• Monitor market and trends; prepare executive assessments and recommendations.
• Coordinate cross-functional resources across departments.
• Serve as central contact for strategic distribution initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Commercial insurance experience

Business development

Partner management

Distribution leadership

Negotiating partnerships

Job description

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Location: North York - Toronto, ON (Hybr, CA

Job ID:10457

Employment Type:New Role

Working Business Language: English. This role is considered a head-office role and will be required to communicate with internal stakeholders across Canada where the primary business language utilized is English.

Salary: At WSI™, A Wawanesa ™ Company, salary is only one component of a holistic, comprehensive, and competitive offering that we provide to our employees. In addition to salary, full-time and part-time permanent employees are eligible for an annual bonus plan and leave of absence top-up programs, and are provided with generous vacation time, personal days, premium-free benefits, and a pension plan.

The salary offered for this role is determined with consideration to various factors, including but not limited to: your work location, local labour market conditions, external market salary data, internal pay equity and the knowledge, skills, experience and anticipated proficiency in the role. The salary offered is estimated to be within the following range: $120,000 - $150,000.Candidates with salary expectations outside of the range are still encouraged to apply.

About WSI
WSI is a specialty insurer within the Wawanesa group of companies, helping Canadian organizations navigate complex risk to thrive in a changing world. Working closely with its distribution partners and clients, WSI combines deep expertise, disciplined underwriting, and responsive decision‑making with a relationship‑led approach to deliver tailored insurance solutions built around unique needs.

Acquired by Wawanesa in 2026, WSI offers the agility of a specialty insurer backed by the strength and stability of one of Canada’s largest mutual insurance companies. Learn more at wsi.wawanesa.com.

We are currently seeking dedicated, driven, and enthusiastic individuals who thrive in a dynamic environment, embrace change, and are eager to gain diverse experience while advancing their careers as part of a growing team.

Job Overview

The Manager, Strategy & Distribution - Programs drives growth of the Commercial Insurance Programs portfolio by developing strategic distribution partnerships. The role leads business development and relationship management for MGAs, Program Administrators, affinity groups, and delegated authority partners.

Job Responsibilities

• Identify, assess, and recruit MGAs, Program Administrators, affinity organizations, and other distribution partners.
• Build a pipeline of commercial program opportunities aligned with strategic growth priorities.
• Develop senior industry relationships and represent the company at conferences and networking events.
• Support partner qualification, due diligence, and assessment of new markets and niche segments.
• Manage assigned MGA and Program Administrator relationships through regular reviews and strategic planning.
• Create partner growth plans to increase production and expand market opportunities.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders and help resolve business or operational issues affecting partners.
• Work with internal teams and partners to evaluate, build business cases for, and launch new programs.
• Identify new products, market segments, and expansion opportunities.
• Partner with Governance, Legal, Compliance, Finance, and business leaders to negotiate, review, renew, and maintain agreements aligned with company policies and objectives.
• Support partner onboarding and governance reviews.
• Develop annual business development and distribution strategies and support planning and forecasting.
• Monitor market, competitor, and MGA trends and maintain intelligence on delegated authority and program opportunities.
• Prepare executive presentations, market assessments, and strategic recommendations.
• Coordinate cross-functional resources across Underwriting, Governance, Operations, Actuarial, Claims, Legal, Finance, and Reinsurance.
• Serve as the central contact for strategic distribution initiatives and promote knowledge sharing with partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of commercial or specialty insurance experience, including delegated authority, MGA, broker distribution, or program business.
• Proven success in business development, partner management, or distribution leadership.
• Strong knowledge of MGA and Program Administrator models and experience negotiating agreements and partnerships.
• Exceptional relationship-building, influencing, communication, presentation, and executive engagement skills.
• Ability to work effectively across business functions.
• Programs, Affinity, Fronting, or Specialty business experience preferred.
• Knowledge of delegated authority governance, contingent profit commissions, and incentive arrangements preferred.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion& Belonging

At WSI, 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].

Please note that the recruitment process for 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 human hiring leaders in compliance with all applicable legislation.