IA Financial Group

Director, Disability Strategy, Specialty Services & Excellence

IA Financial Group$130K — $180K *
Healthcare
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in disability claims management or related insurance operations
  • Strong expertise in claims operations, strategy, transformation, and governance
  • Proven track record in leading teams through large-scale innovation and change
  • Exceptional leadership, coaching, communication, and stakeholder management skills
  • Deep understanding of disability trends, mental health conditions, and return-to-work practices
  • Advanced proficiency in both French and English for effective collaboration

Responsibilities

  • Oversee claim strategies, process improvements, and performance outcomes
  • Optimize service frameworks and standards to enhance operational efficiency
  • Drive the strategy and transformation objectives in partnership with organizational leaders
  • Lead cross-functional alignment with Product, Sales, Service, Finance, and Technology teams
  • Monitor and execute digital transformation and automation initiatives
  • Serve as a subject matter leader, enhancing client value and competitive differentiation
  • Develop capability-building programs for a future-ready workforce

Benefits

  • Flexible group insurance plans
  • Competitive retirement savings plan
  • Employee share purchase plan
  • Vacation program, wellness days, and personal development days
  • Telemedicine services
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
  • Ergonomic furniture program
  • Performance bonus
  • Discounts on iA products
  • Opportunity for hybrid work environment
Full Job Description
Job Description

Reporting to the Senior Director, Disability Claims,this role is responsible for evolving and strengthening iA's disability operating model to meet the changing needs of plan members, clients, and the business in an increasingly digital environment.

The incumbent provides national leadership for disability specialty services andCentresof Excellence, working closely with operational, modernization, innovation,analytics,sales,andserviceteams to improve service delivery, build organizational capability, and support the division's strategic priorities.

The role ensures specialty servicesworkseamlessly with the teams they support, providing the expertise, tools, and solutions needed to deliver excellenthigh-qualityservice, timely decisions, recovery outcomes, and continuous improvement.

Working in partnership with Disability Operations leadersand internalpartners, the incumbent engages with clients, advisors, employees, suppliers, and industry stakeholders to identify opportunities and advance practical solutions. The role supports iA's long-term ambitions by strengthening our leadership in disability managementthrough positive wellness, recovery,and sustainable return-to-work outcomesand anexceptionalplan member and clientexperience.

What you'll accomplish with us

1. Service Excellence & Performance (Operational Backbone)

  • Overseeclaimstrategies,process improvements,quality assurance,appeals,litigationsupport, governance, regulation up-dates,performance outcomes, and KPI attainment.

  • Optimizethe frameworks, standards, governanceof these servicesto align withourevolvingbusiness needs, drivingimprovement while protecting client and organizational financial outcomes.

  • Ensureour specialized disability service team is accessible,aligned to business needs, delivers measurable operational value and remains alignedwithkeyfunctional partners.

2. Disability Strategy & Operating Model Evolution

  • In close partnershipwith leaders, drivethestrategy and transformationobjectives.

  • Translate strategic priorities intopractical, scalable operating changes(processes, roles,how-totools, governance).

  • Lead cross9functional alignment withProduct, Sales, Service, Finance, and Technology.

  • Monitor, measureand driveexecution and adoption of transformation,automationand AI/digitalinitiatives.

3. Innovation, AI & Continuous Improvement (Disability-Specific)

  • Work closely with our modernizationteams to lead disability innovation,process improvement,automation, AI enablement, and digital transformation initiatives, with clear decision frameworks,KPIs,explainability and risk controls.

  • Drive process standardization, efficiency, and sustainable operational improvements.

4. Client & Market Leadership

  • Serveasadisability subject matter leaderfor clients, advisors, and industry stakeholders.

  • Leverage operational insights and market intelligence to strengthen client value and competitive differentiation.

  • Supportkey client interactions, industryengagement,and business growthobjectives.

5. Vendor, Data & Governance Leadership

  • Overseevendor management strategiesto improve outcomes and manage costs.

  • Ensure compliance with regulatory, audit, and internal control expectations.

6. Talent, Capability & Leadership Development

  • Help build afuture9ready disability workforcewith strong technical, leadership, and decision-making capabilities.

  • Developcantersofexpertiseand leadership pipelinesandlead upskilling initiatives aligned withourevolving business needs.

What could accelerate your success in this role

We're looking for someone who:

  • 10+ years of progressive leadership experience within disability claims management, claims, or other related insurance operations.

  • Strongexpertiseacrossclaims operations, strategy, transformation, andgovernance

  • Demonstrated success leadingand guiding teams successfully throughinnovation andlarge9scale changeinto production, with measuredimprovement outcomes and gains

  • Exceptional leadership, coaching, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with a track record of building high-performing teams and developing leaders.

  • Deep understanding ofdisability trends,disabling conditions such asmental health, return9to9work practices, and regulatoryenvironments

  • Proven ability to influencesenior stakeholders, clients, and industry partners Advanced proficiency in both French and English, as the incumbent will be required to collaborate daily, both verbally and in writing, with unilingual English-speaking partners, teams, and stakeholders across Canada and internationally.

Why you'll love working with us
  • A work environment where learning and development merge with a collective pursuit of excellence;

  • AI is in everyone's hands, empowering you to increase your personal effectiveness while supporting the organization's growth;

  • A healthy, safe, fair, and inclusive environment where potential can be freely expressed and developed;

  • The opportunity to work in a hybrid environment, supported by flexibility and access to inspiring and innovative workspaces.

Competitive Benefits
  • Flexible group insurance plans

  • Competitive retirement savings plan

  • Employee share purchase plan

  • Vacation program, wellness days, and personal development days

  • Telemedicine services

  • Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

  • Ergonomic furniture program

  • Performance bonus

  • Discounts on iA products

  • And much more!

Apply now and get ahead of your career, where your talent really belongs!

Still unsure about applying?

At iA, we believe in potential and value diverse experiences. If this role inspires you, go ahead and apply. Your place might be with us, and we want to get to know you!

The typical hiring range for this position is between 130,000$ and 180,000$ CAD per year; the base salary offered may vary depending on knowledge, skills, years of experience, and internal equity related to the role. At iA, we are committed to offering a fair, equitable, and market-based compensation structure. Our market data is updated annually to reflect the most current market conditions.

Location(s)
Montreal / 1981 McGill College Avenue

Other Possible Location(s)
Toronto / 26 Wellington Street East

Company

iA Financial Group

Posting End Date
2026-09-04

About IA Financial Group

IA Financial Group is a Canadian insurance and financial services company. The company offers a wide range of products and services including life and health insurance, mutual funds, securities, auto and home insurance, mortgages, and loans. IA Financial Group has been in business for over 125 years and has over 5,500 employees. The company is committed to sustainability and has been recognized for its efforts in this area. IA Financial Group is also committed to giving back to the community and has a strong corporate social responsibility program.
Learn more about IA Financial Group
Size
5,500 employees
Industry

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