Vice-President Corporate Development

What you will do 

• Lead Strategic Transaction Analysis – Identify and evaluate strategic opportunities. Analyze market trends, regulatory developments, and competitive dynamics within the insurance landscape to inform strategic direction.
• Oversee Financial Modelling & Valuation - Direct the development of complex financial models tailored to insurance-specific metrics such as loss ratios, combined ratios, embedded value, and actuarial assumptions. Provide valuation insights for both traditional and digital insurance assets.
• Executive-Level Presentation & Communication - Prepare and present strategic recommendations, transaction rationales, and financial analyses to executive leadership and the board. Ensure clarity and alignment with the company’s long-term growth and risk management objectives.
• M&A and Strategic Partnership Execution - Lead the full lifecycle of M&A and strategic partnership transactions, including due diligence, regulatory review, and integration planning. Collaborate with underwriting, actuarial, legal, and compliance teams to ensure thorough risk assessment and alignment with business goals.
• Legal & Regulatory Negotiation Support - Partner with legal and compliance teams to support the negotiation of transaction documents, ensuring adherence to insurance regulatory requirements across jurisdictions. Provide strategic input on deal structuring and risk mitigation.
• Industry Relationship Management- Build and maintain strong relationships with reinsurers, brokers, investment banks, and regulatory bodies. Represent the company in industry forums and during strategic negotiations.
• Leadership & Team Development - Lead and mentor a high-performing Corporate Development team. Foster a culture of strategic thinking, analytical excellence, and cross-functional collaboration across the enterprise.

What you will bring 

• Demonstrated thought leadership and ability drive complex, multi stakeholder initiatives
• Strong verbal and written communication, confident and persuasive with senior executive stakeholders / audiences
• Ability to drive / challenge thinking on M&A projects
• Understands how to structure work and projects to get things done / bias towards action
• Data/analytics driven with deep understanding of finance, valuation and financial reporting principles
• Building / recruiting teams, including strong coaching/mentoring to develop junior team
• Technical mastery of PowerPoint and Excel 
• Excellent analytical skills, including expert model builder
• Well-developed business judgment
• MBA / CFA / CPA are positive, but not required
• 10+ years relevant industry experience
• As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism is an asset (fluent in French and English) but is required for Quebec only as the position 
• As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism (fluent in French, English, both oral and written) is required for Quebec only as the position will regularly serve our clients with French and English speaking needs. 

   

Given the size and scope of our organization, we have the flexibility for this position to be located in the following head office locations: Montreal, Toronto, London, Winnipeg

If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Be your best at Great-West Lifeco and Canada Life - Apply today! 

Great-West Lifeco Inc is a Canadian headquarter, international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management, and reinsurance businesses. We operate in Canada, the United States, and Europe under the brands: Canada Life, Empower and Irish Life. 

At the end of 2023, our companies had over 33,500 employees, 232,000 advisor relationships, and thousands of distribution partners – serving approximately 42 million customer relationships.

Great-West Lifeco trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol GWO and is a member of the Power Corporation group of companies.

Being a part of our organization means you have a voice. This is a place where your unique background, perspectives and talents are valued, and shape our future success.  

You can be your best here. You are part of a diverse and inclusive workplace where your career and well-being are championed. You’ll have the opportunity to excel in your way, finding new and better ways to deliver exceptional customer and advisor experiences.

We are committed to providing an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live, and to creating an environment where every employee?has the opportunity to?reach their potential.?

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Canada Life policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact talentacquisitioncanada@canadalife.com.

We would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.

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