Operations Lead (Toronto, ON)

Oliver James; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global insurance provider is looking for an Operations Lead in Toronto to manage day-to-day underwriting operations. This role involves leading a team, driving strategic initiatives, and ensuring compliance. The ideal candidate should have over 5 years in insurance operations, strong understanding of commercial processes, and excellent communication skills. This full-time position at a reputable firm offers a dynamic work environment and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in insurance operations with team leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of commercial P&C processes.
• Experience in process improvement or operational transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting operations for Canadian business lines.
• Act as a strategic business partner to operational leaders.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing team.

Skills

Insurance operations leadership

Commercial P&C processes

Process improvement

Change management

Interpersonal and communication skills

Analytical and decision-making skills

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Operations Lead (Toronto, ON) role at Oliver James

A leading global insurance provider is seeking an Operations Lead to oversee and manage day-to-day underwriting operations for its Canadian business. This high-impact role will lead a team of underwriting support professionals serving a wide range of insurance lines, including Large Commercial (Property, Casualty, Professional, Specialty, and Multinational) and Middle Market P&C. The Operations Lead will also play a key role in driving strategic and operational initiatives across the broader Americas operations organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end underwriting operations for Canadian business lines, covering all administrative and support functions from submission through to cash collection.
• Serve as a key member of the Americas Underwriting Operations leadership team.
• Act as a strategic business partner to operational leaders across all insurance lines.
• Identify opportunities to streamline underwriting by shifting non-core tasks to operations and leveraging shared service centers.
• Translate global middle-office strategies into regional execution tailored to the Canadian context.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing team aligned to business needs.
• Build and scale operational capabilities to support growth, while driving standardization and flexibility across lines of business and geographies.
• Own and manage risk controls, including risk registers specific to underwriting operations.
• Define and maintain performance measurement frameworks for operational activities.
• Conduct performance evaluations and coach team members to support development and succession planning.
• Monitor and act on operational KPIs and metrics (quality, timeliness, productivity).
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, licensing, and accounting standards.
• Act as the primary point of escalation for operational issues.
• Provide regular updates to department leadership on progress, risks, and key performance indicators.
• Champion change initiatives to evolve the underwriting operations function.

What You Bring

• 5+ years in insurance operations with team leadership experience, including managing teams / developing talent
• Strong understanding of commercial P&C processes and policy admin
• Experience in process improvement, operational transformation, or target operating model implementation
• Proficiency in operational metrics, controls, and regulatory compliance (Canadian regulatory landscape)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; comfortable interacting with senior executives and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proven change management skills and ability to lead teams through organizational transformation.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and decision-making capabilities.

Details

• Seniority level : Mid-Senior level
• Employment type : Full-time
• Job function : Management and Manufacturing
• Industries : Staffing and Recruiting