Product Director – Canadian Operations

freelance.ca; Sherbrooke; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the travel insurance industry seeks a Product Director to define and execute the strategic vision for their Canadian operations. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in product leadership and a deep understanding of insurance regulations, driving operational efficiency and innovation while leading a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in product management, 3+ in travel insurance or financial services.
• Proven track record leading product development from concept to launch.
• Experience in SAFe Agile environment; SAFe POPM certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic vision for the product portfolio.
• Lead product development and launch in a SAFe Agile environment.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements across markets.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Analytical Skills

Customer-Centric Approach

Collaboration

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, Computer Science or related field

MBA preferred

Tools

SAFe Agile

Job description

Reporting directly to the Chief Operations Transformation Officer, the Product Director – Canadian Operations plays a major role in defining and executing the strategic vision, roadmap, and continuous evolution of the operational product portfolio. This role will ensure alignment between business goals, customer needs, and regulatory requirements while driving operational efficiency and innovation. This new Products Director role will lead the Canadian travel insurance operations product portfolio as well as operating within a SAFe Agile framework

Position Summary

• Product Strategy & Roadmap : Develop and maintain the strategic vision and roadmap for the Canadian travel insurance operational product portfolio, aligned with company objectives and market trends, in collaboration with VP – Product Innovation & Marketing – Canada.
• Market Analysis : Conduct research to identify market trends, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies to position the organization as a leader in the travel insurance industry.

2. Product Development & Execution

• SAFe Agile Execution : Act as the Product Management leader in a SAFe Agile environment, collaborating closely with Agile Release Trains (ARTs), business stakeholders, and technology teams.
• Product Development : Lead cross-functional teams to design, build, and launch new products and enhancements that differentiate the company in the market.
• Enhance digital experiences to improve customer engagement and operational efficiency.
• Customer-Centric Approach : Champion the voice of the customer to ensure products deliver exceptional value and user experiences.
• Team Leadership : Lead and develop a high-performing product management team, fostering a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Collaboration : Partner with Account Management, Business Development, Marketing, Operations, Canadian Strategic Initiatives, and Customer Experience teams to ensure successful product launches and ongoing support.

3. Compliance & Performance

• Compliance & Risk Management : Ensure all products comply with regulatory and legal requirements across various markets.
• Performance Metrics : Monitor product performance, analyze key metrics, and drive improvements to meet business objectives.
• Regulatory Complexity : Ensuring compliance with various provincial and federal insurance regulations while maintaining speed and agility in product development.
• Market Competition : Differentiating in a highly competitive and price-sensitive market while maintaining profitability.
• Balancing Business & Technical Needs : Aligning customer demands, operational capabilities, and technology constraints within a SAFe Agile framework.
• Stakeholder Alignment : Managing cross-functional priorities and securing buy-in from internal teams, external partners, and regulatory bodies.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in product management, with at least 3 years in the travel insurance, insurance, or financial services industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, Computer Science / Technology or a related field.
• MBA preferred.
• Proven track record of leading product development from concept to launch.
• Experience operating in a SAFe Agile environment; SAFe Product Owner / Product Manager (POPM) certification is a plus.
• Strong understanding of insurance products, operations, distribution channels, and regulatory considerations.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management / influence abilities.
• Innovation and continuous improvement mindset.
• Experience leading and mentoring product teams.
• English required (French considered an asset).