Strategic Program Advisor

Company: Cooperators General Insurance Company

Department: Retail Sales

Employment Type: Regular Full-Time

Work Model: Hybrid (2 or more days in office)

Language: English is required, French is an asset

Additional Information

• This/these role(s) is/are currently vacant
• 1 day per week to be worked in Guelph
  
  
  

The Opportunity

We are a leading Canadian financial services co-operative committed to being a catalyst for a sustainable and resilient society and our team is essential to deliver on this strategy. That’s why we prioritize our people, to ensure we provide a strong culture and development opportunities which enables our team to thrive and to live our purpose. The best part is that you will work with people that care passionately about you, our clients, and our communities.

Our Retail Sales Service team is transforming to enhance sales and growth in retail insurance and financial services. Aligned with our Guided Omni Strategy, we aim to establish a renewed, focused sales culture across our channels, including Advisors, corporate sales, virtual sales, and licensed representatives. We are committed to continuous improvement and prioritizing the needs of our Advisors and clients.

As the Strategic Program Advisor for Retail Sales Service (RSS) Executive Operations, you'll hold ownership in keeping us true to our multi-year transformational strategy, crafting and executing dynamic plans, projects, and initiatives. Your role will involve engaging in high-level executive meetings to address critical issues and opportunities, while also shaping monthly agendas and leading impactful discussions. By working closely with senior leaders and utilizing your extensive knowledge of the insurance and wealth distribution markets, along with your upcoming understanding of Retail Sales Service's corporate strategy, you will prioritize key initiatives and ensure their successful implementation. This approach will help us grab hold of exciting growth opportunities and tackle industry challenges in a positive way.

How You Will Create Impact

• Prepare the Executive Vice President (EVP) of Retail Sales Service for impactful individual and business performance reviews and corporate meetings by thoughtfully reviewing and annotating documentation, uncovering key insights, and offering strategic recommendations that drive excellence.
• Research on strategic, industry, and/or financial areas of focus, transforming this data into compelling insights that support EVP communication.
• Create strategic business plans and visions for each initiative through research and analysis while managing ad hoc or emerging projects.
• Provide clear leadership to RSS, ensuring connections between tactical goals and broader strategic objectives while managing sensitive information and liaising at the highest levels.
• Oversee the scope, status, schedule, budget, risks, and program issues.
• Create agendas, distribute pre-reads, and document action items from monthly meetings; create and support the delivery of clear and engaging presentations and briefing documents, as required.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery of strategic initiatives and corresponding projects, ensuring alignment with established corporate methodologies and best practices.
• Develop and implement program plans, addressing conflicting priorities, managing stakeholder relationships, negotiating program resources, and facilitating optimal project or initiative benefit realization.
• Coach, lead, and motivate program team members on significant projects that span across the organization.
  
  
  

How You Will Succeed

• You have an innovative mindset to improve operational efficiencies and ability to influence change, with a primary focus on client needs.  
• You use critical thinking skills to recognize assumptions, evaluate arguments, draw conclusions and proactively propose solutions.
• You have strong communication skills to clearly convey messages and explore diverse points of view. 
• You build trusting relationships and provide guidance to support the development of colleagues.
  
  
  

To Join Our Team

• You have 6-9yrs+ years of related experience, including applied experience in areas of business enablement/optimization, project/change management, and/or strategic execution.
• You have completed a degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field; an MBA or advanced degree is an asset.
• Holding or pursuing an insurance designation such as CIP/FCIP, CRM, etc. is an asset.
• Holding or pursuing a Project Management or Business Analysis designation is an asset.
• You have a proven track record in managing significant business programs, projects or initiatives and implementing proven solutions and best practices.
• You have a proven ability to cultivate collaborative relationships, offer guidance, and effectively influence alignment with various senior-level and C-suite stakeholders.
• You have an understanding of the insurance / financial services retail sales / distribution landscape, including market trends, customer behaviors, and competitive dynamics.
  
  
  

What You Need To Know

• You will travel frequently. (i.e. to office locations, broker or partner events, or quarterly business updates.)
• You will be subject to a background check as a condition of employment, in the event you are the successful candidate.
  
  
  

What’s in it for you?

• Training and development opportunities to grow your career.
• Flexible work options and paid time off to support your personal and family needs.
• A holistic approach to your well-being, with physical and mental health programs and a supportive workplace culture.
• Paid volunteer days to give back to your community.
• In addition to our competitive salary and incentive programs, eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive total rewards package including group retirement savings plans, pension and benefits (e.g., health and wellness, dental, disability and life coverage), mental health support and an employee assistance program.