Director of Finance - Canada

At Allianz Commercial (AzC), we are the global leader for insuring corporate and specialty risks in the Allianz Group.  Whether it’s aircraft, satellites, the world’s biggest ships and tallest building, cyber-attacks or climate change impacts, AzC has the major risks covered when it comes to protecting businesses.

The Head of Finance – Canada for Allianz Commercial will be based in our Toronto location. 

The Impact You Will Have

The Head of Finance - Canada will:

• Actively partner with local Chief Agent and business leaders.
• Manage core financial functions for Canada as well as providing significant support to Chief Agent and primary relationship lead with OSFI, the local regulator.
• Ensure compliance with complex regulatory environment, while implementing and adhering to Global Finance Processes & Standards. Role will require significant collaboration with compliance office and assume many of the activities previously handled by the Chief Agent.
• Take an active leadership role on all cross functional business initiatives.

Some of your specific responsibilities could include:

• Leading and Managing Team (direct reports + matrix responsibility)
  • Provide employees with guidance on overall strategic picture and how own area's targets are aligned to it. This will include defining clear and challenging targets, monitoring progress and addressing performance issues appropriately and effectively.
  • Drive organizational set up for own area of responsibility including personnel selection and manage budget within plan.
  • Coach and develop employees in a continuously changing environment while empowering employees to execute tasks independently.
  • Foster behavior of team members as desired according to AGCS standards (e.g. behavioral goals, etc...) and live up to the matrix organization.
• Regional Strategy       
  • Develop, implement and execute the CFO and COO Strategy in line with Global and Regional & company strategy.
  • Create best practice Finance function for country.
  • Support profitable business growth, evaluate new product business cases and new strategic direction with CEO in line with Global and Regional Strategy.
• Managing Core Financial Functions for Canada
  • Manage financial exposure including Investment portfolio.
  • Proactively provide business steering relevant reports & analysis. Manage and report on overall financial performance of country.
  • Instill solid expense management taking into account business needs.
  • Steer financial reporting & closing processes (tax, regulatory, ratings, internal, reporting requirements).
  • Proactively drive capital management and optimization.
  • Ensure effective risk management and proper reserving processes.
• Governance & Quality Assurance
  • Define and implement consistent and proper Finance processes in line with global standards.
  • Ensure proper data quality within closing processes (reconciliation of figures with feeder systems, effectiveness of controls, etc...).
• Relationship Management
  • Interface for financial reporting to regulatory authorities.
  • Interface for external auditors.
  • Interface for ratings agencies.

What You’ll Bring to the Role

• 5 – 7 years of experience in management position in an insurance company (preferably P&C) with deep understanding of business steering and financial concepts.
• 5 – 7 years of experience in leading and developing international and/or virtual teams within a complex global matrix environment.
• 7 – 10 years of proven experience in communication of results to a variety of stakeholders including senior management.
• Excellent tertiary qualification (ideally Master), preferably in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Accounting or qualified by experience in related discipline.
• Legal & Regulatory Framework: Comprehensive knowledge of local GAAP, IFRS, regulatory, capital, risk and tax as well to other requirements (such as Allianz Accounting policies) cost reporting, compliance and declaration.
• Market & Product Knowledge: Deep understanding of corporate insurance product portfolio and macroeconomic trends.
• Deep understanding of financials, business steering concepts and cost management.
• Robust knowledge of principles and practices of other relevant functional areas including Claims, Underwriting, Reinsurance and Accounting (particularly local and international accounting rules as applied to reserving).
• Navigating Complexity:  Ability to make sense of complex issues; respond to complex/ambiguous situations by identifying & initiating appropriate remediation & follow up. Anticipate and resolve issues before these transpire.
• Communication and Presentation Skills: Ability to understand, elaborate and convey information clearly and effectively in respect to the audience / level of management (both verbal and in writing).
• Decision Making: Effectively evaluate info from multiple sources to identify business issues; involve stakeholders in the decision making; commit to action after weighing alt solutions against important decision criteria.
• Conflict Management: The ability to recognize and deal with disputes in a rational, balanced and effective way.

The annualized base pay range for this role is $132,767 - $227,659. The annual base salary range represents a nationwide market range. The actual salary for this position may be above and will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role, the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate. The base pay is just one component of the AzC total compensation package.  As part of our comprehensive compensation and highly rated benefits programs, employees are also eligible for annual performance-based cash incentive awards.