Business Development

Description:

Wawanesa Insurance, one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers with over $3.5 billion in annual revenue and $10 billion in assets, is seeking a highly accomplished Vice President, Business Development to lead and drive profitable growth across Ontario & the Maritimes. Reporting to senior leadership, this role provides strategic direction, growth planning, and leadership to a dynamic business development team while strengthening broker distribution partnerships.

The VP will be responsible for delivering new business targets aligned with organizational goals, setting broker production targets, and overseeing the execution of sales programs. They will develop and maintain strong broker relationships, prospect for new distribution opportunities, and create sales strategies to maximize upsell/cross-sell opportunities. The role includes representing Wawanesa at major industry events, broker conventions, and advisory councils, ensuring brand visibility and influence across the market.

Leadership responsibilities include coaching and developing the business development team, fostering a high-performance culture, and serving as an escalation point for broker concerns with Wawanesa’s Executive Leadership. The VP must maintain strong competitive intelligence on market trends, brokerages, products, and competitors, ensuring Wawanesa maintains its competitive edge.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive revenue growth by executing business development strategies and achieving sales targets.

• Establish and manage broker production goals aligned with corporate objectives.

• Lead and manage national broker relationships, building long-term, value-driven partnerships.

• Prospect for new distribution opportunities while nurturing existing accounts.

• Represent Wawanesa at large industry events, broker associations, and advisory councils.

• Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and guidance to the business development team.

• Act as an ombudsman and escalation point between brokers and executive leadership.

• Maintain market knowledge and apply competitive intelligence to strategy.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of insurance or senior business development experience.

• Proven expertise in building and maintaining C-suite relationships.

• Strong track record of delivering revenue growth and sales results.

• Undergraduate degree and/or FCIP designation.

• Excellent leadership, organizational, and presentation skills.

• Strong communication, executive presence, and ability to influence.

• Willingness to travel frequently.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base salary: 220000 – 270000 CAD/year (18333 – 22500 CAD/month).

• Annual performance bonus program.

• Pension plan and savings contributions.

• Premium-free health, dental, and mental health benefits.

• Paid vacation, personal days, and leave top-up programs.

• Recognition as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers and Forbes Best Employers in Canada.

Diversity & Inclusion:
Wawanesa embraces Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, including racialized persons, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ members, gender-diverse and neurodiverse individuals.