Description

Reporting to the Vice President based in Montreal, the AVP, Business Development will represent Optimum Reassurance Inc. across Canada, playing a vital role in presenting reinsurance solutions to its client and prospects. The position involves nurturing relationships with new and existing insurance partners, ensuring success, and fostering ongoing developments as partnerships and businesses grow over time. The AVP, Business Development will contribute to the organization by identifying market opportunities and by providing solutions that meet clients’ needs, to generate new business growth. Some travel is required, mostly within Ontario and Quebec.

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain strong, trusting relationships with key decision makers at existing and potential client companies to address their needs in a timely manner; be a trusted business partner and expert contributing to their ongoing success.
• Provide excellent client service and reinforce Optimum Reassurance’s mission and partnership approach with its clients.
• Effectively communicate the clients’ needs, expectations and objectives to internal Optimum’s stakeholders, to contribute to the team in identifying and developing reinsurance solutions that are well suited for the clients.
• Conduct primary research to understand the market, business and competitive patterns and trends in the insurance industry; apply this information to develop new business strategies and adjust existing ones.
• Leverage the in-depth knowledge and expertise of the Optimum Reassurance’s team to develop solutions for key client priorities.
• Regularly interact with senior leaders at client companies to understand their business strategy and goals, including in addressing existing or emerging issues.
• Fulfill organizational business developments goals, build relationships and maintaining high visibility in the market (raise market awareness) by organizing and participating in select client visits, events and industry meetings, and by joining specific and relevant industry committees to focus on important emerging issues in the industry.
• Be a positive contributor and ambassador of Optimum Reassurance’s culture and values, and to the development and implementation of the business line strategic and tactical plans.
• Work in a team environment, developing and encouraging a spirit of collaboration and coordination among departments in dealing with clients.
• Offer support and coordination to the R&D team working on predictive analytics’ projects aimed at generating value for the client and the company.
• Participate in developing Optimum’s offers to business RFPs, participating in the review of the quote, the service offering and the final business positioning of our offers to clients.
• Assist the pricing team in the development and execution of client-specific strategies.

Experience and education

• FCIA/FSA designation or ASA designation with equivalent level of knowledge and years of experience (and actively pursuing their fellowship).
• Bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, business or related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of life insurance or reinsurance experience, with at least 5 years of reinsurance sector experience.
• Working knowledge of regulations such as IFRS17.
• Proven expertise in developing innovative insurance or reinsurance solutions.
• Understanding of relevant insurance regulatory laws and tax laws and their impact on the clients’ company operations (asset).
• Exposure to financial reporting, corporate functions, pricing or risk management (asset).

Qualifications and skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex ideas effectively and to convey information in a way that is meaningful and well received.
• Strong listening skills with empathy abilities and genuine interest in connecting with people regularly.
• Strong customer focus with an ability to create, develop and maintain a strong team environment.
• Expert persuasion and negotiation skills when working with clients to resolve issues.
• Highly advanced ability to adapt to new methods, to a fast-paced environment and work under tight deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments/projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-identification and resolution skills.
• Ability to implement the organizational vision and goals that result in achievement and success through collaboration, strategic and creative thinking, maintaining focus and persistence.
• Fluency in English, orally and in writing, and some knowledge of French (asset).