Assistant Vice President, Head of Project Management Office; AVP, Head of PMO

Assistant Vice President, Head of Project Management Office (AVP, Head of PMO)

Zurich Canada is looking for an Assistant Vice President, Head of Project Management Office (AVP, Head of PMO) who will be a pragmatic project leader capable of constructive challenge, influencing senior stakeholders, and driving better outcomes for the business, customers, and colleagues. Reporting to the VP, Transformation Office, you will lead Zurich Canada’s Project Management Office and help turn strategic priorities into a disciplined project lifecycle with measurable delivery.

You will provide portfolio oversight, governance, and execution discipline across business and technology initiatives.

PMO Leadership and Governance

• Lead Zurich Canada’s PMO, setting standards, methods, and best practices for project and program delivery
• Maintain governance frameworks that drive consistency, quality, and disciplined execution across the portfolio
• Oversee intake, prioritization, resourcing, documentation, and reporting in line with strategic priorities, budget, and audit standards

Portfolio and Project Oversight

• Provide independent challenge on business cases, plans, risks, issues, dependencies, and go/no‑go decisions
• Monitor portfolio performance, benefits realization, and progress against strategic goals using clear KPIs and dashboards
• Manage interdependencies, resolve escalations, and reduce duplication across initiatives

Business and Technology Integration

• Partner with business, transformation and IT leaders to translate strategic initiatives into prioritized projects with clear scope, workplans, budget, and implementation plans
• Facilitate forums with leaders and stakeholders across the business and technology that drive decisions, approvals and prioritization of the Zurich Canada project portfolio

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of experience in project management, strategic/operational consulting, or business transformation
• OR High school diploma and 9+ years of experience in project management, strategic/operational consulting or business transformation
• OR Zurich certified insurance apprentice (with Associate Degree) and 7+ years of experience in the areas above
• AND a strong track record leading complex projects, programs, PMO functions, or transformation initiatives
• Strong project/program management experience, including governance, delivery discipline, risk management, benefits realization, and portfolio reporting
• Proven ability to drive strategic and operational change, ideally in financial services or insurance
• Confident senior stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, challenge, and align diverse groups
• Clear executive communication skills, with the ability to distil complexity into practical decisions and actions
• Strong analytical judgement, pragmatic problem‑solving, and comfort working across a matrixed environment

Preferred:

• Experience in claims, underwriting, or risk engineering
• PMP or equivalent certification
• LEAN, Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience
• Experience with PPM tools, operating model change, organizational design, or large‑scale transformation

We are committed to pay equity. The salary range for this position is 120,000 – 170,000 CAD. This range reflects the expected pay for the role across Canada and may vary depending on factors such as office location, specific responsibilities, and individual qualifications.

At Zurich, we value diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. We offer a collaborative culture, comprehensive health/benefits plan, competitive total compensation, and continuous learning opportunities. Employees receive a minimum of four weeks vacation and four personal days per year.

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

Zurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, serving global and local markets. With over 650 employees across Canada, we offer the strength of a top insurer with deep local expertise.