Vice President, Surety Claims

Trisura; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Trisura is seeking a Vice President, Surety Claims in Toronto to lead a sophisticated Canadian claims portfolio within a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. The role directs strategy on significant losses, guides the Canadian Surety Claims team, and shapes future claims initiatives in partnership with underwriting, construction, accounting and legal professionals.

The candidate will build a high-performing team, ensure governance and data quality, and oversee external counsel and reinsurers.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in surety claims or related field.
• Strong knowledge of bond obligations, construction contracts and risk.
• Bilingual English and French is an asset.
• Ability to travel within Canada and occasionally North America.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Canadian Surety Claims portfolio and team from Toronto.
• Direct strategy on complex, high-exposure claims and losses.
• Oversee governance, data quality, and reporting for claims operations.
• Collaborate with Underwriting, construction services, accounting and legal teams.
• Support improvements to claims systems, templates, and AI-enabled tools.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Claims management

Budget management

Cross-functional

Insurance knowledge

Education

Law degree or related advanced education

Job description

We are currently seeking a qualified individual to join our dynamic, forward-thinking team of Surety Claims professionals in our Toronto office.

VICE PRESIDENT, SURETY CLAIMS

TORONTO

Trisura is seeking a Vice President, Surety Claims, Canada to lead a sophisticated and diverse surety claims portfolio in the Canadian marketplace.

Reporting to North American Surety Claims leadership, this role will oversee the Canadian claims portfolio, lead the Canadian Surety Claims team, direct strategy on significant losses and make suggestions for consideration regarding the future direction of Trisura’s Canadian Surety business.

• Lead a sophisticated Canadian surety claims portfolio.
• Influence strategy, recovery and portfolio performance.
• Work directly with experienced underwriting, construction, accounting and legal professionals.
• Help shape future Canadian and North American claims initiatives.
• Build a high-performing Canadian Surety Claims team in an entrepreneurial environment.

Accountabilities include:

• Lead the Canadian Surety Claims team, set portfolio priorities, allocate resources and develop future leaders.
• Direct strategy on complex and high-exposure claims, significant losses, litigation, completion, settlement and recovery.
• Be accountable for loss mitigation, reserve adequacy, recovery outcomes, external expenses and overall portfolio performance.
• Lead recovery strategies involving indemnitors, principals, collateral, contract balances and appropriate third parties.
• Partner with Surety Underwriting, construction services, accounting and legal professionals on emerging risks, distressed projects and practical claims solutions.
• Ensure strong claims governance, reporting, data quality, file assignment and consistent use of claims and document-management systems.
• Review and approve internal Large Loss Reports, coordinate reinsurance reporting, respond to reinsurer questions on significant losses and lead Canadian Surety Claims participation in reinsurer audits.
• Direct external counsel, consultants, accountants and other advisors and maintain appropriate panel relationships and expense oversight.
• Participate in North American Surety Claims leadership and support improvements to claims systems, data, templates, technology and responsible use of AI.

Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of progressive experience in surety claims, construction law, construction risk, insurance, financial analysis, litigation or a related field, including significant surety claims exposure.
• Demonstrated leadership of professionals and complex, high-exposure matters.
• Strong knowledge of bond obligations, construction contracts, litigation, completion, reserves, recovery and loss mitigation.
• Experience managing budgets, legal spend, reserves, recoveries and portfolio performance.
• A law degree, engineering designation, accounting designation or other advanced education relevant to construction, financial risk or insurance is preferred. Equivalent senior-level surety claims experience will be considered.
• Bilingual English and French proficiency and experience in home warranty, mining or energy reclamation obligations, developer surety or third-party administration are assets.
• Ability to travel within Canada and occasionally within North America, as required.

Location:

• Downtown Toronto, Ontario, with a hybrid work arrangement.

This position is for an existing, currently vacant position.