Reinsurance Branch Operations Manager, Canada

About the Role

Do you have a strategic mindset and like overseeing the big picture while rolling up your sleeves at the same time to work with the team on the ground to shape and implement?  Are you comfortable driving solutions with reinsurance business and subject matter experts, and bringing in your operational expertise to contribute to the overall success of Swiss Re Canada?  If yes, then you could be the person we're looking for to lead the Canadian Branch Operations' capability to new heights!

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Branch Operations Manager ("BOM") to join our dynamic Operational Resilience & Governance team.  Working very closely with a talented team of operational and governance experts, the BOM will be a part of Swiss Re Canada and is accountable for driving branch governance and operational activities for Swiss Re Canada and supporting the CEO, Country President and Location Head.  The ideal candidate will be eager to apply their operational expertise and play a pivotal role in overseeing and optimizing branch governance and operations and any related operational transformation initiatives.

You will be accountable in leading, overseeing and driving all governance activities and regulatory operational matters in compliance with applicable OSFI guidelines and Swiss Re Group standards and policies.  Operating in a hybrid environment, you will work at the Toronto office for at least 2 to 3 days a week.

You may be responsible for managing a team member, subject to the evolving scope of this new role and your experience.  Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• developing and managing a comprehensive operational strategy and framework to support the CEO, Country President, Branch Management and Location Head in their respective oversight responsibilities
• providing operational support to the Country President and Location Head on their management and oversight of the Canadian operating platform and the implementation of a robust Branch governance framework
• operationalizing applicable local regulations in a sustainable manner with input from relevant Swiss Re group functions and subject matter experts
• leading, coordinating and developing business continuity and resilience plans, and supporting the local Incident Management Team
• developing policies and protocols, managing business processes and local operational guidelines in line with global frameworks, standards and policies, including ensuring effective and timely completion of operational tasks and processes, opening and remediating self-raised operational incidents and issues, promoting good operational risk management practices and providing training and guidance as necessary
• tracking and managing industry association memberships, including tracking, registering and managing lobbying activities
• coordinating and supporting the implementation of the Branch Governance Framework and related processes, including managing meetings of Branch Management sub-committees or Branch operational committees
• in collaboration with Legal and Risk Management, monitoring regulatory developments, initiating and project-managing working groups, and coordinating and liaising with cross-functional teams, experts and stakeholders to address new regulatory requirements and ensure the Branch's adherence to all applicable laws and regulations
• in collaboration with Compliance, coordinating and administering the Branch's regulatory compliance management tool, managing and reporting on the annual compliance attestation process, and working with stakeholders on remediating any identified local control weaknesses or gaps
• maintaining and managing Branch processes and controls which address local re/insurance compliance risks in accordance with OSFI Guideline E-13, global compliance standards and Risk Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) framework and process, including overseeing the Branch's outsourcing/third party risk management framework and compliance with OSFI Guideline B-10, and leading effective due diligence and monitoring processes
• working effectively and collaboratively with the Branch's Regulatory Smart Circle (Legal, Compliance, Risk Management and Finance) to support Branch Management's oversight of the Canadian business operations and strategic, tactical and operational regulatory interactions with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and provincial regulators
• under the direction of the Head of Operational Resilience and Governance (Line Manager) and guidance from senior operations experts and the Location Head, regularly liaising and working with and/or consulting key functions and experts, including Audit, Compliance, Finance, Governance, Legal, Risk Management, Tax, and functional/business owners, on various operational risks topics and processes
• providing comprehensive reports and timely status updates to the CEO, the Reinsurance Executive Team and Branch Management on cross-functional operational processes, operational issues/events, RCSA and Control Risk Behaviour assessments, compliance assessments, and regulatory and business operational initiatives
• performing other responsibilities, tasks and duties as assigned by the CEO, Country President and Location Head of Swiss Re in Canada as well as your Line Manager

About the Team

The L&H Operational Resilience & Governance team are made up of governance and operational experts who safeguard and enable the business to manage risks and ensure operational resilience.  It is an integrated unit within the Swiss Re Group that aligns governance, regulatory compliance, risk management and internal control efforts to create a comprehensive and cohesive approach to managing operational, legal and compliance risks.

About You

• You have a solid understanding of the Canadian insurance/reinsurance/financial services industry.
• You have business acumen with a minimum of 8+ years of demonstrated proficiency in end-to-end operations management, control processes and systems, process optimization, application and operationalization of regulatory guidelines.  You can link governance and operational concepts together and implement strategies to improve efficiency and productivity. 
• You can work effectively in a complex matrix organization with diverse teams and individuals.
• You can build strong working relationships with senior management, stakeholders and employees at all levels, apply leadership 'authority' in a broader sense, lead through ambiguity, and demonstrate high personal integrity and sound judgment.
• You have strong organizational, interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills with the ability to lead/influence others and negotiate effectively across functions and employees in all levels of seniority.
• You are a strategic thinker and an analytics mastermind.  You understand key business drivers and can tailor solutions to minimize operational risks and execute effectively in a matrix environment. 
• You are detail-oriented but able to see the big picture, highly organized, methodical and analytical, and an exceptional problem-solver.
• You are a collaborator and a delivery champion.  You can work both independently and within a team setting.  You enjoy contributing to the broader organization on local and global business initiatives.  You can execute and deliver on operational or transformational objectives, and effectively utilize project management and organizational change management.
• You are an outstanding communicator and a storyteller.  You can counsel senior management, provide guidance and convey messages to all levels of employees and stakeholders, and present and create presentation materials in PowerPoint or other software applications.