SVP & Chief Operating Officer (COO) - HSB Canada

HSB Canada, part of Munich Re, is Canada's premier engineering-driven specialty insurer and provider of inspection, engineering and technology services that set the standard for excellence in the market. Our constantly evolving offerings lead the market in cyber, equipment breakdown, renewable energy, technology services, engineering based risk management and inspection services. We bring technical expertise to help our clients stay ahead of complex, emerging and technology-based risks.  We dare to think big and we are continuously innovating on behalf of our clients. We recognize Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging as key priorities and a culture that welcomes different thoughts and opinions.

HSB is much more! It’s insurance. Engineering. Technology. To learn more about us, please visit: https://www.hsb.ca

Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the HSB Canada Executive Leadership Team, responsible for translating enterprise strategy into operational execution and sustainable business performance.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO leads critical business and operational functions, strengthens organizational effectiveness, and ensures the company has the operating model, governance, processes, digital capabilities, and leadership discipline required to achieve its strategic, financial, and customer objectives.

The COO’s functional oversight spans multiple critical business enabling functions such as Claims, Engineering & Inspection, Transformation, Data & Analytics, Operations, and technical Learning & Development. Furthermore, while IT is managed centrally through GSI IT, the COO oversees HSB Canada’s IT project prioritization, IT project execution as well as the IT “run” operations. 

The role will be accountable for driving growth through our key business enablers, achieving operational excellence, enterprise transformation, process optimization, and cross-functional alignment while fostering a high-performing, accountable, and values-led culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead execution of HSB Canada’s operating model to support growth, profitability, customer service, and enterprise resilience. Oversee core operational disciplines and business enablement functions – claims, engineering & inspections, data, technology and processing.
• Partner with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to shape strategic priorities, convert strategy into measurable execution plans, and monitor progress against business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement across end-to-end processes to increase efficiency, effectiveness, quality, speed to market, and customer outcomes. Lead enterprise transformation initiatives, including digital enablement, automation, data and analytics capabilities, and operational modernization.
• Ensure the business has the appropriate controls, reporting, management routines, and decision-support information to operate effectively and in alignment with company standards and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee operating and functional budgets within scope, ensuring disciplined resource allocation and strong financial stewardship.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships with HSB and Munich Re Group business leaders and enterprise partners to align priorities, remove barriers, and accelerate delivery. Cooperate closely with the HSB and Munich Re Group’s claims, engineering, inspections, operations and IT community and other relevant units ensuring understanding of relevant strategy, standards and philosophy.
• Prepare and present comprehensive reports on business performance, risk exposures, and strategic initiatives to the CEO, executive leadership, and Board of Directors. Ensure timely, data-driven communication of key metrics, trends, and recommendations to support informed decision-making at the highest levels.
• Inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing underwriting and product management teams, cultivating a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational excellence. Implement talent development programs, succession planning, and performance management processes to build organizational capability and ensure ongoing compliance with industry standards.

Leadership Dimensions

• Sets clear direction and aligns multiple teams and functions around shared enterprise priorities.
• Balances strategic thinking with disciplined execution and strong operational follow-through.
• Uses data, metrics, and business insight to inform decisions and improve performance.
• Builds trusted relationships and influences effectively across a matrixed organization.
• Champions innovation, simplification, and change while maintaining sound governance and risk awareness.
• Creates a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and talent development.

Experience and Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Risk Management or related field; Actuarial background/credentials are highly desired. 
• Significant senior leadership experience in operations, transformation, and business management at an enterprise level, ideally within insurance or other regulated financial services environments.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale operational improvement, transformation, process redesign, or digital enablement initiatives.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets, evaluating business performance, and supporting strategic planning.
• Experience operating within a global–local governance model.
• Experience leading through complexity in a matrixed organization and partnering effectively across business, technology, risk, finance, and support functions.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and executive presence, with the ability to engage internal and external audiences credibly.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and a track record of creating inclusive, accountable, and high-performing teams.
• History and success leading and developing high performing teams

Core Competencies

• Strategic mindset and enterprise thinking
• Operational excellence and process optimization
• Drives results and ensures accountability
• Decision quality and sound judgment
• Collaboration and organizational influence
• Change leadership and resilience
• Digital and data fluency
• Talent leadership and team development
• Communication and stakeholder engagement
• Governance, risk awareness, and integrity

Company Benefits:

Together, we engage with everything we have and are, to help humankind act braver and better. Go further with HSB.

We are pleased to offer our employees great benefits and resources to support their mental, physical and financial wellbeing. These include:

• An engaging and collaborative environment that promotes continuous learning and development
• A hybrid work environment that combines weekly in-office and remote days
• A great compensation package including an annual company bonus
• Competitive company-paid flexible health and dental benefits, starting on your first day
• Flexible dollars provided by the company to put towards a Health Spending Account and/or Wellness Spending Account
• Wellness program with tools and resources supporting your mental, physical, and financial wellbeing – on and off the job
• Participation in the DC Pension Plan with a progressive employer contribution scale based on tenure starting at 4%, plus optional company match in the RRSP plan
• Generous time off including vacation, personal days, unplanned time, Statutory Holidays and company-wide early closure half-days
• Learning and development programs and resources, including unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning, Education Assistance Program, and reimbursement for professional fees
• Employee Referral Program and Recognition Program

HSB Canada is committed to providing a work environment that is inclusive and free of employment barriers and discrimination.  Accommodations will be made for qualified applicants with a disability throughout the recruitment process.  If you receive a request for an interview and you have a disability which will require an accommodation to support your participation, please consult with Human Resources or contact hr@hsb.ca as soon as practical so that suitable accommodations can be arranged.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however only those selected for interview will be contacted.