Vice President of Technology

About Premier Canada Assurance

Premier Canada Assurance, one of Canada's leading Managing Underwriting Agencies, is a 100% Canadian-owned company specializing in the Specialty Insurance sector. Our commitment lies in performance, fostering positive outcomes, and advancing career growth to benefit our organization, employees, partners, and clients.

Role Summary

The Vice President (VP) of Technology will report directly to the President & COO of Premier Group and hold comprehensive responsibility for delivering technological solutions aligned with business strategies. The position is based in any Premier office location (Vancouver or Toronto) with a hybrid work model and is permanent full-time. The primary objective is to partner with business units to develop and implement IT strategies and initiatives that drive organizational success amid the evolving insurance and financial services landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive strategy formulation, project planning, and management using innovative technology and processes.
• Gain a thorough understanding of operational and strategic business functions to guide the creation and deployment of technology solutions supporting business goals.
• Align critical program projects with the organization's mission, vision, and values.
• Advise on cost-effective, efficient IT solutions and authorize project funding and investments.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a diverse technology team fostering innovation, collaboration, and agility.

Expectations and Working Conditions

• Perform focused, detail-oriented tasks requiring concentration for extended periods.
• Uphold strict confidentiality regarding sensitive corporate matters and personal employee data.
• Occasional travel as needed.
• Employ sound judgment and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships across all organizational levels.
• Accept a background check for criminal and consumer history as part of hiring.

Success Factors

• Deliver exceptional client experiences through engaging and accountable relationships.
• Consistently act in alignment with company purpose, vision, and values.
• Support others through change and encourage innovative thinking.
• Value collaborative dialogue to harness diverse perspectives for enhanced solutions.

Qualifications and Expertise

• Minimum of 10 years leading technology teams, including application development leadership.
• Proven success in project delivery and maintaining high employee engagement.
• Initiative to implement strategic opportunities and lead organizational change.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills (written and oral).
• Ability to synthesize complex information, solve problems with critical thinking, and implement strategic business adjustments.
• Commitment to innovation and continuous improvement focused on client experience.
• Experience developing a high-performance culture aligned with organizational priorities.
• Deep knowledge of change management, root cause analysis, and problem resolution.
• Project delivery experience considered beneficial.

Industry and Business Knowledge

• Experience in Financial Services such as Banking, Insurance, or Managing General Agency (MGA), including understanding insurance products and claims management.
• Awareness of external industry standards and regulatory considerations.
• Experience collaborating with internal teams and external vendors.
• Impact on financial performance, client satisfaction, and business reputation.
• Responsibility to continuously assess and improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Interpersonal Skills

• Effectively prioritize and balance multiple competing priorities.
• Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders including business sponsors, product owners, technical leads, and vendors to enhance Guidewire suite solutions.
• Proven capacity to build and sustain trust with peers and leadership.

Compensation

Salary range for this role is between $195,000 and $230,000 annually, dependent on qualifications.

Additional Information

Premier was established in 1989 and operates from its headquarters in Vancouver with five other offices across Canada including Toronto, London, Cambridge, Laval, and Calgary. The organization employs over 150 staff members and features specialty insurance products. Premier offers a dynamic work environment with continuous learning, skill development opportunities, and a focus on innovative insurance solutions.

Comprehensive benefits include health, medical, dental, vision care, and life insurance coverage among others.