Sr Manager, Product Owner

Definity Financial Corporation; Southwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 107,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share ownership program

Incentive plans

RRSP / Pension matching

Volunteer days

Tuition assistance

Inclusion programs

Wellness programs

Product discounts

Job summary

Definity Financial Corporation is seeking a Sr Manager, Product Owner for Commercial Insurance in Waterloo, Ontario. You will lead the Business and Technology Roadmap, partnering with Commercial Insurance, TS teams, and vendors to deliver valuable product enhancements.

You will guide a team, define requirements, build business cases, and ensure timely delivery while balancing underwriting and operational needs in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• University degree or college diploma.
• 3+ years of commercial Property & Casualty insurance experience with strong underwriting/product knowledge.
• Experience using Guidewire PolicyCenter and commercial policy administration systems.
• Strategic thinker balancing product, underwriting, and operational considerations.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence and drive initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Define the long-term Property & Casualty roadmap and strategic priorities.
• Gather, prioritize, and manage business requirements with alignment to objectives.
• Develop business cases and cost-benefit analyses showing measurable value.
• Collaborate with technology and delivery teams to translate needs into solutions.
• Own business acceptance of new functionality and ensure it meets objectives.
• Identify and elevate project risks, issues, and status to leadership.
• Lead and develop Product Owners and Associate Product Owners.
• Support change management, communications, and business rollout activities.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Leadership

Prioritization

Education

University degree or college diploma

Tools

Guidewire PolicyCenter

SharePoint

ServiceNow

Jira

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Sr Manager, Product Owner (Commercial Insurance)

Waterloo, ONT, Canada

Economical is part of Definity, which includes 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.

The Opportunity

Do you have a passion for seeing business objectives come to life? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, project-driven environment? Do you have an interest in business systems? Are you motivated, consistently demonstrating drive and initiative? If so, then we have the role for you!

Reporting to the Director, Commercial Insurance Project Delivery, the successful candidate will lead a team responsible for the design and delivery of the Business and Technology Roadmap for Property & Casualty to achieve a best-in-class customer experience and effective operational scalability, ensuring strategic goals are met by defining needs and by recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders.

As the conduit between Commercial Insurance, TS teams, external vendors, and internal stakeholders, the successful candidate will support the team's ability to translate business objectives into actionable items to achieve company goals by empowering business units to build meaningful enhancements and release new products at the right time.

What to Expect

• Partner with business leaders, stakeholders, and subject matter experts to define the long-term Property & Casualty roadmap and strategic priorities.
• Gather, prioritize, and manage business requirements while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and project dependencies.
• Develop business cases and cost-benefit analyses that demonstrate measurable business value.
• Collaborate with technology and delivery teams to translate business needs into effective solutions and product enhancements.
• Own business acceptance of new functionality, ensuring solutions meet requirements and business objectives.
• Identify, communicate, and elevate project risks, issues, and status updates to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Lead and develop Product Owners and Associate Product Owners while fostering strong cross-functional relationships.
• Support change management, communication, training, and business rollout activities to drive successful adoption and minimize organizational impact.

What you Bring

• University Degree or College Diploma.
• 3+ years of commercial Property & Casualty insurance experience, with strong underwriting and product knowledge.
• Experience using Guidewire PolicyCenter and commercial policy administration systems.
• Strategic thinker who can balance product, underwriting, and operational considerations when making decisions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to gain buy-in, influence decisions, and drive initiatives through collaboration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including facilitation and presentation abilities.
• Proven negotiation and relationship-building skills when working with cross-functional teams.
• Strong technical proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with SharePoint, ServiceNow, Jira, Agile methodologies, and product management practices is considered an asset.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, and remain calm under pressure.
• Self-motivated team player who demonstrates initiative, leadership, sound judgment, and a customer-focused approach.

Salary Range

$106,500-$156,500

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.

What’s in it for you?

• 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 [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).