Director, Group Benefits

Imagine a job where YOU can utilize your exceptional interpersonal skills to liaise effectively with both internal and external teams.

Add a great collaborative team, a challenging variety of work, excellent work life balance, and you have imagined a job at the CLHIA .

About the CLHIA:

CLHIAis the respected voice of Canada's Life and Health insurers . Our work concerns the lives of all Canadians. We work alongside our members to advance public policy solutions that ensure a sound and vibrant life and health insurance industry that allows Canadians to enjoy greater financial security and access to valuable supplementary health benefits. Every day at the CLHIA, we bring:

• our authentic selves to the job
• our best ideas to every challenge
• our open minds to other perspectives
• our full trust in one another’s abilities
• our commitment to exemplify respect, accountability, teamwork, and excellence in how we work together; and
• our genuine enthusiasm for a job well done – whether it’s your own achievement or someone else’s.

We are a stable and secure association that has been busier than ever. We are a small close-knit team that works together to make sure the association runs smoothly. This position is currently a hybrid position where you are expected to work out of our Toronto office at least 2 days a week.

The Right Fit:

We believe the kind of person you are matters. We have a culture of respect and caring, and we want employees who will thrive in our environment. When we hire, we consider your potential and how you may fit with our team.

You will succeed here if you are:

An excellent communicator – you will be collaborating with not only our internal team but with stakeholders and member companies. Your ability to communicate clearly and with several different parties will support your success.

Independent – you are self-motivated and manage your time well. You are able to organize your day to meet often conflicting priorities and deadlines.

Flexible – this is a position where you will have to approach an issue through different angles and the ability to analyze a situation or problem.

The Position:

We are currently recruiting for a Director, Group Benefits. This role will report to the Vice President, Healthcare and Group Benefits and is responsible for for advancing the life and health insurance industry's interests in group health products (including dental, disability, life, critical illness, mental health and travel insurance) through member engagement, policy development, advocacy support, and industry collaboration. The role leads relevant committees and working groups, builds consensus on industry positions, identifies emerging issues and opportunities, and provides subject matter expertise to support effective policy outcomes, industry alignment, and member value.

Team members benefit from:

• The expected annual base salary is $138,600 with some flexibility. Actual salary may vary depending on the experience and skillset of the candidate.
• Employer-paid health, dental, extended health, and paramedical benefits (including virtual services)
• A defined contribution pension plan with employer matching
• Hybrid work model based out of our Toronto office

What you will be working on:

• Develop and build consensus on industry positions in response to government and regulatory initiatives. This includes leading member company committees and working groups and providing advice and technical expertise to serve the life and health insurance industry's interests.
• Support the advocacy for the industry’s public policy positions through active engagement and policy management with member companies, the CLHIA, and the federal/provincial regulators.
• Support and contribute to the preparation of submissions or other briefings to advance the industry's interests with regulators, governments and other stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with CLHIA staff, member companies, vendors, regulators, industry associations, and other stakeholders to support objectives and advance the industry’s interests.
• Communicate results/conclusions and implications of complex issues by briefing senior management and stakeholders; as well, prepare written and presentation materials for a wide variety of audiences.
• Maintain subject matter expertise in group benefits by monitoring industry practices, public policy, and legislative and regulatory developments, and communicating key issues, trends, and opportunities to members and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain CLHIA Guidelines and supporting reference documents for group life, group health and dental insurance, disability, critical illness, coordination of benefits, and travel insurance.
• Provide leadership and oversight for service delivery, vendor management, onboarding, training, issue resolution, relationship management, and compliance with contractual, legislative, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, monitor, and refine operational plans, service expectations, and success metrics to support program effectiveness, member value, and alignment with CLHIA priorities.
• Support the development, promotion and implementation of a successful annual conference. This includes design of the program, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors.
• Organize educational sessions for industry participants on new developments and other areas of interest.
• Represent the industry in public forums and publications and participate in public speaking engagements.

What you will bring:

• University degree (or equivalent) in a related field (e.g., Business, public policy) with 7+ years of experience including experience in financial services, health care, government or a similar not for profit advocacy group/consulting firm
• Knowledge of provincial programs, coverage for allied health professionals, adjudication of claims, etc
• Courses leading to a benefits designation i.e. Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), International Claim Association (ICA), or LOMA industry designation (e.g. FLMI) an asset
• Knowledge of health policy developments (e.g., mental health, pharmacare), government drug, health and dental programs, government disability programs (i.e. CPPD, provincial programs, WCB, auto insurance)
• Demonstrated understanding of public policy development and requisite analysis to support evidence-based policy advice and decision-making
• Demonstrated experience leading committees and/or public policy change initiatives
• Strong analytical, problem solving and research skills, project management skills, consultation and advisory skills
• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, digital), and the ability to effectively build relationships and work collaboratively with individuals within and outside the Association
• Research, analytical, and problem-solving skills to understand issues affecting the life and health insurance industry
• Organizational, project management and time management skills to manage multiple projects, including those with tight deadlines and changing priorities
• Bilingual (English/French) or ability to read and speak some French an asset

The CLHIA does not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants.

The CLHIA is committed to ensuring fair and inclusive employment practices. On request, we provide accommodation for applicants with disabilities in accordance with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. If you require accommodation, please advise us.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.