Director, Claims - Business Planning & Performance

Job Overview

The Director, Claims – Business Planning & Performance is responsible for coordinating Claims strategy development, providing trusted advice, and connecting claims operations teams, claims enablement/effectiveness teams, and line of business and broker stakeholders. This role brings together all pertinent performance metrics and business insights into a cohesive view and narrative covering the entire Claims organization as well as line of business specific narratives. The Director, Business Planning and Performance – Claims role provides critical support to the SVP & Chief Claims Officer by monitoring market developments and gathering performance metrics and business insights to enable informed decision-making, identifying opportunities for improvement, and ensuring enterprise-level alignment in planning, reporting, and execution.

This role is instrumental in building a performance-focused and member-centric culture. This role requires balancing high-level strategic work with tactical execution, ensuring focus on achieving Wawanesa’s critical goals for Claims in the coming years.

In all responsibilities, this leader champions Wawanesa’s purpose.  We are here to look after one another and models our values of Service, Openness, Fairness, Collaboration, and Community, ensuring they are reflected in planning, performance measurement, and regulatory accountability.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as an advisor to the Chief Claims Officer, delivering confidential counsel and perspective on matters of priority to overall Claims planning and performance. 
• Coordinate the Claims strategic and tactical business planning process, gathering the relevant operational reporting / performance monitoring inputs, ensuring alignment with enterprise planning processes and priorities.
• Work with Claims operational and enabling leaders to deliver clear messaging, foster consistency and coordination across Claims teams, and ensure line of business and broker needs are met, and key stakeholder expectations are met.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership to translate strategic objectives into measurable initiatives and performance indicators.
• Oversee the design and execution of business reviews, and in collaboration with Strategy, Finance, and Compliance teams. monitor and analyze external competitor and market developments, industry benchmarks, and risk, to present actionable information to support decision-making and prepare the organization to adapt effectively and proactively to changes.
• Foster a collaborative environment that brings together operations, finance, compliance, legal, and strategy to address performance and planning needs holistically.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, insurance, analytics, or a related field; MBA or equivalent advanced education is an asset.
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in business planning, performance reporting, claims operations, or regulatory compliance in the P&C insurance industry.
• Proven leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and delivering results in a matrixed environment.
• Strong understanding of insurance operations, risk management, regulatory frameworks, and industry performance drivers.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into action, drive execution, and measure impact through well-structured performance frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with a high degree of comfort working with data, financials, and reporting tools.
• Effective communicator and collaborator, with strong presentation skills and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Deep alignment with Wawanesa’s values and purpose, with a passion for supporting people, protecting members, and improving the way we work.
• Willingness to travel as needed across regions and business units.
• Strong business acumen, organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment. 
• Exceptional versatility, agility, situational awareness, and composure. Proven ability to navigate multiple issues concurrently and prioritize critical work. 
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues from multiple angles and provide sound counsel among competing priorities. 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level correspondence. 
• Experience in financial literacy and quantitative analysis, with the ability to distill actionable insights. 
• Flexibility to travel within Canada and work variable hours, including overtime, as required. 
• Agile business mindset with a focus on innovative problem-solving and interdepartmental collaboration.

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