Innovation Consultant

Job Overview

As part of Wawanesa’s Strategy & Innovation team, the Innovation Consultant works collaboratively to identify key areas for innovation and develop strategies that create new opportunities and add value for our business, brokers, and policyholders.  In this role, you will contribute to a broad spectrum of strategic research and innovation projects in partnership with senior leaders and stakeholders from across the organization. You’ll build insights into emerging consumer, technology, and industry trends, and work cross-functionally to build strategies that help to address the needs of our members today and in the future and enable our long-term success. 

As an Innovation Consultant, you are passionate about innovation, have a knack for sourcing information and backing up your findings with data, and can synthesize large volumes of information into compelling reports and presentations for senior leadership.

Job Responsibilities

• Under moderate supervision, conduct research and analysis on high value consumer, technology, and industry trends to support innovation across the insurance value chain. 
• Leverage a strategic mindset and structured approach in contributing to the identification of emerging signals and threats, evaluation of business value and impact, and prioritization of innovation opportunities.  
• Prepare and deliver compelling business artifacts and presentations that ensure the effective communication of learnings and promote openness and collaborative knowledge sharing across the organization. 
• Contribute to regular insight gathering, monitoring, and reporting on developments in insurance, including industry mega-trends, emerging products and business models, and competitive intelligence.  
• Participate in innovation initiatives and assist business partners by providing supporting insights to help develop and refine their ideation, problem solving, and exploration. 
• Coordinate and participate in cross-functional team meetings to share critical information, establish work plans, and share business insights. 
• Participate in the preparation and collaborative facilitation of workshops and primary research using established methodologies, frameworks, and tools. 
• Act as an advocate for our innovation process, passionately promoting innovation and demonstrating new ways of thinking and problem solving.   
• Practice continuous learning and professional development, staying up to date on novel innovation focused research, research techniques, and industry changes.  
• Contribute to the maintenance and organization of business artifacts on the organization’s intranet, contributing to communication and knowledge sharing strategies.  

Qualifications

• Two to three years’ experience in business analysis, management consulting, or innovation strategy.
• Bachelor’s or post-secondary degree in business, or equivalent experience.
• Strong research and analysis skills, with demonstrated ability to synthesize and consolidate large amounts of data to deliver compelling insights.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey ideas in a concise and persuasive manner suitable for consumption by senior leaders.
• Applied understanding of the insurance industry and related KPIs and financials.
• Functional knowledge of innovation methodologies, frameworks, and tools (i.e., Innovation Engineering, Design Thinking, Business Model Canvas, etc.)
• Ability to unravel ambiguity and conceptual ideas, creative and lateral thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Completion of CIP or other industry designations considered an asset.
• Innovation Engineering Blue Belt or Black Belt, Six Sigma, or Design Thinking certifications considered an asset.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced skills in building presentations and reports.
   

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