Director, Sustainability & Climate Resilience

Apply now »

Date: Feb 24, 2025

Location: Hybrid - Canada, CA Montreal, QC (Hybrid), CA Kitchener, ON (Hybrid), CA Calgary, AB (Hybrid), CA Moncton, NB (Hybrid), CA North York - Toronto, ON (Hybr, CA Winnipeg, MB (Hybrid), CA Edmonton, AB (Hybrid), CA Vancouver, BC (Hybrid), CA

Company: Wawanesa Insurance

Job ID: 9031 


Working Business Language: English; this role is considered a head-office role and will be required to communicate with internal stakeholders across Canada where the primary business language utilized is English
 


Salary: At Wawanesa, salary is only one component of a holistic, comprehensive and competitive offering that we provide to our employees. In addition to salary, full-time and part-time permanent employees are eligible for an annual bonus plan, leave of absence top-up programs and provided with generous vacation time, personal days, premium free benefits and pension plan. 
 

The salary offered for this role is determined with consideration to various factors, including but not limited to: your work location, local labour market conditions, external market salary data, internal pay equity and the knowledge, skills, experience and anticipated proficiency in the role. The salary offered is estimated to be within the following range: $140,000- $180,000. Candidates with salary expectations outside of the range are still encouraged to apply. 

 

About Us
At Wawanesa, we’re proud to offer a hybrid work environment that offers flexibility to our employees in balancing in-office (2 days per week OR 15 hours per week in a Wawanesa office) and remote work. You may work from any of the following locations: Winnipeg, MB; Wawanesa, MB; Vancouver, BC; Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB; Lethbridge, AB; Toronto, ON; Kitchener, ON; Thunder Bay, ON; Ottawa, ON; Montreal, QC; Moncton, NB; Dartmouth; NS 
 

The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company (“Wawanesa Mutual”), founded in 1896, is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, with over $3.5 billion in annual revenue and assets of $10 billion (CAD). Wawanesa Mutual, with its National Headquarters in Winnipeg, is the parent company of Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance products and services throughout Canada, and Western Financial Group, which distributes personal and business insurance across Canada. Wawanesa proudly serves more than 1.7 million members in Canada, and we are home to more than 3,600 employees distributed across the Canadian regions and communities where we operate. We give back to organizations that strengthen communities, donating more than $3.5 million annually to charitable organizations, including over $2 million annually in support of people on the front lines of climate change. To learn more visit wawanesa.com. 


We are currently looking for dedicated, driven, and enthusiastic individuals who thrive in an environment that welcomes change and are looking for an opportunity for diverse experience and advancement on a growing team.
 

Job Overview

The Director, Sustainability & Climate Resilience is responsible for the development and execution of a comprehensive sustainability strategy and climate resilience program that aligns with Wawanesa’s overarching goals and business objectives.  This role will collaborate cross-functionally to guide Wawanesa and champion best practices that create shared and sustainable value for our business, members, and communities.

 

Job Responsibilities

  • Lead the development, ownership and annual planning of Wawanesa’s sustainability business strategy, initiatives and roadmap, with prioritization of climate resilience
  • Conduct materiality and risk assessments to identify ESG performance across the organization to inform strategy and initiative development
  • Evaluate sustainability related investment and programs based on business objectives to ensure best allocation of resources while continuously improving programs
  • Represent Wawanesa as a leading voice on climate resiliency and adaptation, collaborating with external associations and coalitions to advocate on behalf of our members and communities
  • Promote and lead research and development for sustainability and climate change adaptation / prevention strategies and initiatives, including external market monitoring and benchmarking
  • Provide cross-functional leadership to build alignment and ensure successful execution of the sustainability program through effective communication, engagement and collaboration
  • Prepare and present agendas, reporting and presentation materials for Wawanesa’s Executive sustainability committee "ESC"
  • Identify, cultivate and steward strategic partnerships that advance Wawanesa’s sustainability program
  • Collaborate on the development of Wawanesa’s sustainability reporting to highlight progress and performance against approved sustainability goals, metrics and commitments
  • Stay abreast of industry, regulatory and company changes or trends as they relate to sustainability and climate change.
  • Oversee and coach a high performing team to ensure work environment is respectful, challenging and rewarding, and employees are maximized to their full potential while contributing to the achievement of Wawanesa’s goals
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in strategy development and implementation of climate change, sustainability, or ESG related areas
  • Undergraduate degree in business, economics, sustainability, environmental science, engineering, or related field 
  • Comprehensive knowledge of sustainability and climate change, including working knowledge of the climate related regulatory and policy landscape
  • Ability to develop and implement comprehensive plans and solutions that bridge complex issues that span across time with demonstrated experience managing multiple priorities and deliver commitments on time
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and presentation) with the ability to effectively convey ideas in persuasive and eloquent manner and advise the leadership team on complex, cross-functional issues and decisions related to sustainability
  • Experience with strategic planning, strategy development, or environmental consulting for enterprise organizations considered an asset
  • Excellent business acumen, analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and assess complex and widely varied issues, risks and opportunities and drive solutions/results
  • Proven experience in project management, change management and cross-functional stakeholder management
  • Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring, and developing others with an ability to instill trust, motivate and empower people
  • Team-oriented, collaborative and flexible
  • Strong MS Office skills
  • Experience in insurance (P&C/Life) is preferred 
  • Completion of CIP designation considered an asset
  • Ability and willingness to travel in Canada and the United States

 

#LI-JB2


Wawanesa is proud to be one of Manitoba’s Top Employers, a Kincentric Best Employer in Canada and a Forbes Best Employer in Canada recognizing an exceptional place to work!


Diversity Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Wawanesa is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that is equitable and inclusive for all. Wawanesa provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to an individual’s protected status: race/ethnicity, colour, religion, creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, pregnancy/childbirth or related conditions, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, or any other protected status. Disability or medical-related accommodations are available upon request throughout all aspects of the recruitment and selection process. Candidates requiring reasonable accommodations may contact, in confidence, jobs@wawanesa.com.   

If you are interested in this exciting, challenging position with Wawanesa, apply today with your Resume.


All Wawanesa job applicants are subject to Wawanesa's Privacy Policy.