Specialist, Operations Expenses

Definity; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 74,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Company share ownership program

RRSP contributions

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Definity is seeking a Specialist, Operational Expense Management in Toronto to support expense planning, forecasting, reporting and performance management for Personal Insurance. You will help centralize operating expenses and deliver analysis and actionable recommendations for cost optimization.

You will collaborate with Finance and business leaders on allocations, headcount trends, and reporting structures, while maintaining dashboards and contributing to monthly and quarterly reviews.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business, Accounting, Economics, Finance, or related discipline.
• CPA designation (completed or in progress) is considered an asset.
• 3-5 years of experience in FP&A, expense management, financial analysis, forecasting, budgeting or business performance management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Experience working with large datasets and translating information into meaningful business insights.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Knowledge of the P&C insurance industry is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Support expense planning, forecasting and financial management across Personal Insurance.
• Produce expense reporting, analysis and insights for leaders including executive packages.
• Maintain and enhance expense dashboards, scorecards and reporting tools.
• Support month-end, forecast and planning cycles through data collection, validation and reporting.
• Assist in identifying performance risks and opportunities and provide follow-up recommendations.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Communication

Time management

Education

University degree in Business, Accounting, Economics, Finance, or related

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager, Operational Expense Management, the Specialist, Operational Expense Management plays a key role in supporting expense planning, forecasting, reporting, and performance management across the Personal Insurance business. The role contributes to the centralized management of operating expenses, including Family Insurance and Petline, by delivering accurate analysis, insightful reporting, and actionable recommendations that support business decision‑making and expense optimization.

Job Description

Reporting to the Manager, Operational Expense Management, the Specialist, Operational Expense Management plays a key role in supporting expense planning, forecasting, reporting, and performance management across the Personal Insurance business. The role contributes to the centralized management of operating expenses, including Family Insurance and Petline, by delivering accurate analysis, insightful reporting, and actionable recommendations that support business decision‑making and expense optimization.

What To Expect

Support Expense Planning, Forecasting & Financial Management

• Ensure accurate and timely submission of expense plans and forecasts into corporate financial systems.
• Partner with Finance and business leaders to ensure expense allocations, cost centres, and reporting structures accurately reflect business operations and organizational changes.
• Support the development, coordination and consolidation of Personal Insurance operating expense plans and forecasts.
• Assist with financial modelling, scenario analysis and expense projections to support business planning and decision-making.
• Prepare and validate expense submissions into corporate financial systems.
• Partner with Finance and business stakeholders to support expense allocations, cost centres and reporting structure updates.
• Monitor expense trends, forecast assumptions and variances, identifying risks and opportunities for management review.
• Support resource planning analysis through analysis of headcount, staffing costs, and workforce trends.

Expense Performance Management and Reporting

• Produce expense reporting, analysis and insights for Personal Insurance leaders, including contributions to MBRs, QBRs and executive reporting packages.
• Analyze operating expense performance and investigate key drivers, trends, variances and emerging issues.
• Maintain and enhance expense dashboards, scorecards and performance reporting tools.
• Support month‑end, forecast and planning cycles through data collection, validation and reporting activities.
• Assist in identifying performance risks and opportunities and provide recommendations for follow‑up actions.

Expense Optimization & Synergy Realization

• Support the tracking and reporting of expense synergies, productivity initiatives and operating expense optimization efforts.
• Monitor savings initiatives and assist in measuring realization against business commitments.
• Participate in annual industry expense benchmarking activities and support analysis of benchmark findings.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting processes, forecasting accuracy and analytical capabilities.

Strategic Business Partner & Trusted Advisor

• Partner with Finance and business stakeholders to provide expense reporting and analytical support.
• Develop clear and concise presentations and reporting materials that communicate key findings and recommendations.
• Respond to ad hoc requests and provide analysis to support business initiatives, investment decisions and expense reviews.
• Build effective working relationships across Personal Insurance and Corporate Finance teams

Development & Planning Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement across expense planning, forecasting, reporting and analytical processes

What You Bring

• University degree in Business, Accounting, Economics, Finance, or a related discipline.
• CPA designation (completed or in progress) is considered an asset
• 3-5 years of experience in FP&A, expense management, financial analysis, forecasting, budgeting or business performance management.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.
• Experience working with large datasets and translating information into meaningful business insights.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of the P&C insurance industry is an asset.

Salary Range:

$73,500 - $123,500

High degree of proficiency with English required to service customers, both internal to the company and external, across Canada.

About Us

Actual salary for the role may vary depending on work location of the successful candidate and other factors including but not limited to, skills, education, experience, working conditions and the local labour market.

This position is being posted to fill an existing vacancy.

We're actively seeking diverse backgrounds and perspectives to help us make insurance better. At Definity, inclusion, diversity, and equity aren't just 'nice to have' — they're essential to our success.

What's in it for you?

• Hybrid work schedule for most roles
• Company share ownership program
• Incentive Program - Eligible employees may participate in various incentive plans which are paid out at the discretion of the company and subject to individual and company performance.
• Pension and savings programs, with company‑matched RRSP contributions
• Paid volunteer days and company matching on charitable donations
• Educational resources, tuition assistance, and paid time off to study for exams
• Focus on inclusion with employee groups, support for gender affirmation surgery, access to BIPOC counsellors, access to programs for working parents
• Wellness and recognition programs
• Discounts on products and services

Go ahead and expect a lot — you deserve it.

It's better here — but don't take our word for it. Definity was named by Great Place to Work as one of the Best Workplaces in Canada for women, for youth, and for inclusion.

Our inclusive work environment welcomes diversity and supports accessibility. If you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting [e-mail].

As part of Definity's commitment to reconciliation, we acknowledge that our work, meetings, and travel take place on the lands now known as Canada, and recognize the enduring presence, wisdom, and stewardship of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who have long cared for these lands.

Background checks

This role requires successful clearance of background checks (including criminal checks and leadership references).

About The Team

Definity is the parent company to some of Canada's most long‑standing and innovative insurance brands, including Economical Insurance, Sonnet Insurance, Family Insurance Solutions, and Petline Insurance. Our ambition is to be one of Canada's leading and most innovative property and casualty insurers. We can't do that without our people, so we embrace and encourage a culture that’s collaborative, ambitious, rewarding, and empowering.

We offer a flexible, hybrid work experience where employees work from the office and virtually depending on the type of work they are doing and who they are working with. Bring your true self and be a part of our journey. It's better here.