Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives (Underwriting/ Personal Lines)

Aviva Canada Inc; Markham; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid flexible work model

Outstanding career development

Professional development education

Competitive vacation package with 5%–7

Employee-driven programs focused on DE

Corporate wellness programs

Employee discount on home and auto

Job summary

Aviva Canada is seeking a Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives (Underwriting/ Personal Lines) to shape and execute the strategic direction across Product, National Underwriting, Partnerships, Direct and Specialty. You will lead multi-year roadmaps, monitor progress, and provide governance and insights to executive leadership.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in strategy or portfolio management, strong leadership, and experience in P&C insurance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in strategy, business planning, consulting, portfolio management or related field.
• Proven success leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-management skills.
• Experience supporting senior leadership and driving organizational priorities.
• P&C insurance experience preferred; knowledge of personal insurance products and distribution is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; MBA / certifications are assets.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of multi-year business strategies and roadmaps.
• Monitor progress against strategic priorities and ensure delivery of key commitments.
• Establish governance processes and provide reporting and insights to senior leadership.
• Identify and mitigate risks, dependencies and barriers to execution.
• Deliver market, competitor and industry insights to inform strategic decisions.
• Lead cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives that drive performance and transformation.
• Support executive planning, business reviews and leadership discussions.
• Build strong partnerships across the organization to align priorities and accelerate results.

Skills

Strategy

Business planning

Portfolio management

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business / Commerce / Economics / Finance

MBA / Project Management / Strategy / Consulting certifications (assets)

Job description

About the Role

We're looking for a strategic and results-oriented professional to join our team as Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives (Underwriting/ Personal Lines). Reporting to the SVP, this role will help shape and execute the strategic direction for Product, National Underwriting, Partnerships, Direct, and Specialty businesses. As a trusted advisor and execution partner to senior leadership, you will drive strategic planning, business performance management, market intelligence, and cross-functional initiatives that support growth, profitability, operational excellence, and exceptional customer outcomes.

What You'll Do

• Lead the development and execution of multi-year business strategies and roadmaps.
• Monitor progress against strategic priorities, ensuring accountability and delivery of key commitments.
• Establish governance processes and provide reporting and insights to senior leadership.
• Identify and mitigate risks, dependencies, and barriers to execution.
• Deliver market, competitor, and industry insights to inform strategic decision-making.
• Lead cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives that drive business performance and transformation.
• Support executive planning, business reviews, and leadership team discussions.
• Build strong partnerships across the organization to align priorities and accelerate results.

What You'll Bring

• 5+ years of experience in strategy, business planning, consulting, portfolio management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-management skills.
• Experience supporting senior leadership teams and driving organizational priorities.
• P&C insurance experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Personal Insurance products, distribution channels, and market dynamics is an asset.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Economics, Finance, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• MBA, Project Management, Strategy, or Consulting certifications are considered assets.

Why Join Us

This is a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leadership, influence strategic direction, and lead high-impact initiatives that shape the future of our Product, Underwriting, Partnerships, Direct, and Specialty businesses.

What you'll get

• The salary band for this position ranges from $100,000 to $165,000.
• Hybrid flexible work model.
• 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.
• Employee discount on home and auto insurance (where applicable).

This job advertisement is for an existing vacancy which has been posted both internally & externally.

Aviva Canada may use AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools to assist us throughout the recruitment process to screen, assess or select applicants for a position.

Aviva Canada welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and has a process in place to provide accommodations for persons with disabilities at all stages of the hiring process and during employment.

If you require accommodation during the interview or hiring process, please contact your Aviva Talent Acquisition Partner so that an appropriate accommodation can be arranged.

We help our 19.5 million customers to save for the future and manage the risks of everyday life.

To give these customers the best possible products and service we know we must make Aviva the most attractive choice for talented, entrepreneurial people with diverse backgrounds and an evolving range of expertise and insight.

So, we’re passionate about helping our 23,000 people to do the best work of their lives, to enable them to make a positive difference to the lives of our customers.