Application Portfolio Manager

The Opportunity

Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world? Look no further than Zurich, Canada.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for an Application Portfolio Manager who has experience in managing assigned areas (region/line of business/channel / function) for the delivery of Application Development, maintenance of the respective portfolio, and driving the Business Change and IT Application Strategy in alignment with the global Business to ensure achievement of strategic targets and adherence to governance.

This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience for the future in a supportive environment where your voice matters.

This is a hybrid work opportunity.

What you will do:

• Define, communicate and execute end-to-end application strategy at the local or Line of Business level assuring line of sight with Business Division, Business Segment, or global function business strategies.
• Oversee the planning of and manage the IT budget of multiple cost centers or one large cost center on a local or Line of Business level.
• Pro-actively manage relationships with local executives and key business partners.
• Develop business solutions and project concepts, create plans and oversee implementation of business solutions of moderate to high level of complexity.
• Oversee demand planning process and alignment with project portfolio planning on a local or Line of Business level, aligned to regional / global master plans.
• Take responsibility for local and global governance compliance. Ensure proper license management.
• Represent IT in the definition and delivery of IT services and programs to the local business unit.
• Manage internal and external Business and IT delivery partners based on the service / operational level agreements and ensure service performance meets expectations on a local level.
• Lead a senior group of managers who perform complex tasks.
• Perform strategic HR management processes and perform managerial tasks for direct reports.
• Lead a diverse functional IT team at a local or Line of Business level, setting objectives, reviewing performance and participating in selection/promotion decisions to ensure that staff have the necessary skills and understanding to deliver the team's objectives.
• Budget for, forecast and manage expenditure in own function, establishing and agreeing key performance targets and financial budgets for work unit in order to optimize business performance in line with service delivery and business objectives.
• Lead the implementation of complex IT projects or work streams, typically as part of a major change or business improvement initiative involving multi-disciplinary teams and timescales in excess of one year.
• Educate and influence senior colleagues to enable the execution of all relevant policies and governance processes to ensure that the business is not exposed to undue risk, and ensure own function is compliant with risk and governance procedures and understands Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity plans.
• Contribute to long-term strategy for the function, and develop processes and review policies relevant to functional/business discipline in order to ensure they are in line with strategic business objectives.
• Manage relationships across the IT function and with senior business stakeholders in order to identify opportunities for service improvement to ensure commercial viability and customer satisfaction.
• Participate in IT functional leadership team meetings to provide specialist guidance and enable the implementation of policy, projects and change initiatives to drive business performance.
• Gain buy-in from senior leaders across the organization and senior local business stakeholders to ensure medium and long-term plans are aligned with business objectives.

What you bring to the table:

Required:

Bachelor's Degree and 7 or more years of experience in the Information Technology area related to Guidewire.
OR

High School Diploma or Equivalent and 9 or more years of experience in the Information Technology area related to Guidewire.
OR

Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree and 7 or more years of experience in the Information Technology area related to Guidewire.
AND

• Experience with IT development and/or maintenance.
• Knowledge of IT standards and policy.People management experience.

Preferred:

• Master's Degree.
• Project Management Institute Project Management Professional certification.
• Project management experience.
• P&C Insurance, Financial Services experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead in a team environment.
• Vendor management experience.
  

Our Culture:

At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DEIB). We want you to bring your whole self to work, and we want our employees to be reflective of the communities in which we live and work. Our DIEB initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.

We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is valued. We value your input and strive to give our employees the tools they need to make an impact.

We care about our employees’ well-being and offer a comprehensive health/benefits plan with varying levels of coverage to suit your specific needs and a competitive total compensation package.

We understand how important it is to rest, recharge and do the things you love. At Zurich, all employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year to do just that.

We also understand that employees require time off for personal reasons. Maybe you have an appointment during a workday, a cultural or religious holiday you would like to observe, or you need time off to focus on your mental health. Zurich employees receive four personal days per year to be used at their discretion.

We are committed to continuous improvement, and offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We care about our communities. Our communities are where our customers, people, and shareholders live and work. While we can be proud of the contribution to society Zurich makes through our core business of insurance, we must also give back to our communities through our talent, time and resources.

We have won numerous awards for our workplace culture. We are proud to be one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and to have received Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.

Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.

About Us

Zurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a multi-line insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide serving customers in global and local markets. Zurich Canada has been a leading insurance provider serving mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in the Canadian commercial market for 100 years. With over 500 employees in offices across the country, Zurich offers the global strength of a top insurance provider combined with indepth knowledge of industries and local markets. Zurich Canada aspires to be risk management professionals’ first choice as their premier partner to help meet the risk challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more at www.zurichcanada.com