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About the Role

This officer position is responsible for the strategic leadership, growth, profitability, and underwriting excellence of CNA Canada's Specialty and Programs business. It involves leading multiple specialty product lines and ensuring alignment with Canadian and Global business strategies, with significant influence on corporate strategy and long-term business results.

Responsibilities

Develops and executes the strategic vision, business plan, and growth agenda for CNA Canada's Specialty and Programs business.
Provides executive leadership for Specialty product lines, driving profitable growth, market expansion, and long-term business performance.
Accountable for the overall financial performance of the Specialty and Programs portfolio.
Establishes underwriting strategies, risk appetite, and portfolio management frameworks.
Identifies emerging market opportunities, industry trends, and customer needs to drive innovation.
Leads the development and execution of distribution strategies to strengthen relationships with brokers and partners.
Collaborates with Global Specialty leaders to align business strategies and leverage international expertise.
Provides executive oversight for Programs and Affinity business, including delegated underwriting authority arrangements.
Drives adherence to underwriting authority, governance standards, and regulatory requirements.
Partners with various leaders to develop integrated business strategies and deliver sustainable business results.
Monitors portfolio performance and implements corrective actions.
Represents CNA within the marketplace through executive engagement.
Builds, leads, and develops a high-performing national underwriting organization.
Provides leadership in talent acquisition, workforce planning, and succession management.
Champions change management initiatives, operational improvements, and digital capabilities.
Serves as a key contributor to the Canadian Leadership Team.
Performs additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge of specialty insurance products, underwriting disciplines, portfolio management, and risk selection practices.
Proven ability to develop and execute business strategies that drive profitable growth, portfolio performance, market expansion, and operational excellence.
Strong understanding of underwriting governance, delegated authority frameworks, regulatory requirements, compliance standards, and enterprise risk management principles.
Exceptional business acumen with the ability to evaluate performance and translate insights into strategic actions.
Advanced leadership capabilities, including talent development, succession planning, coaching, and building high-performing teams.
Outstanding communication, influencing, and relationship management skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead change, innovation, and digital transformation initiatives.

Skills

Specialty insurance products
Underwriting disciplines
Portfolio management
Risk selection practices
Management Liability
Financial Lines
Cyber & Professional Lines
Healthcare
Programs/Affinity business
Business strategy development and execution
Profitable growth
Portfolio performance
Market expansion
Operational excellence
Underwriting governance
Delegated authority frameworks
Regulatory requirements
Compliance standards
Enterprise risk management
Financial analysis
Operational analysis
Market analysis
Strategic action planning
Talent development
Succession planning
Coaching
Team building
Technical expertise
Communication
Influencing
Relationship management
Change management
Innovation
Digital transformation
AI capabilities
Data-driven capabilities

Experience Level

Minimum 15 years of progressive insurance and underwriting leadership experience

Education Level

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, Insurance, or a related discipline required
Master's degree and/or CFA, CIP, FCIP, CRM, or equivalent industry designation preferred

Benefits

Total rewards philosophy reflects our commitment to building a high-performing, inclusive culture where every team member is empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive.
Value the unique strengths and perspectives each individual brings to our business, our clients, and our communities.

About the Company

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential.
Our total rewards philosophy reflects our commitment to building a high-performing, inclusive culture where every team member is empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive.
We value the unique strengths and perspectives each individual brings to our business, our clients, and our communities.

Equal Opportunity

At CNA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants.
It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants based on job-related qualifications and ability to perform a job.
If you require an accommodation during the hiring process or upon hire, please inform Human Resources.
If a selected applicant requests accommodation during the recruitment process, CNA will consult with the applicant in order to provide suitable accommodation that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs.