Job ID: 10457
Employment Type: New Role
Working Business Language: English. This role is considered a head-office role and will be required to communicate with internal stakeholders across Canada where the primary business language utilized is English.
Salary: At WSI™, A Wawanesa™ Company, salary is only one component of a holistic, comprehensive, and competitive offering that we provide to our employees. In addition to salary, full-time and part-time permanent employees are eligible for an annual bonus plan and leave of absence top-up programs, and are provided with generous vacation time, personal days, premium-free benefits, and a pension plan.
The salary offered for this role is determined with consideration to various factors, including but not limited to: your work location, local labour market conditions, external market salary data, internal pay equity and the knowledge, skills, experience and anticipated proficiency in the role. The salary offered is estimated to be within the following range: $120,000 - $150,000. Candidates with salary expectations outside of the range are still encouraged to apply.
Job OverviewThe Manager, Strategy & Distribution - Programs drives growth of the Commercial Insurance Programs portfolio by developing strategic distribution partnerships. The role leads business development and relationship management for MGAs, Program Administrators, affinity groups, and delegated authority partners.
Job Responsibilities- Identify, assess, and recruit MGAs, Program Administrators, affinity organizations, and other distribution partners.
- Build a pipeline of commercial program opportunities aligned with strategic growth priorities.
- Develop senior industry relationships and represent the company at conferences and networking events.
- Support partner qualification, due diligence, and assessment of new markets and niche segments.
- Manage assigned MGA and Program Administrator relationships through regular reviews and strategic planning.
- Create partner growth plans to increase production and expand market opportunities.
- Coordinate internal stakeholders and help resolve business or operational issues affecting partners.
- Work with internal teams and partners to evaluate, build business cases for, and launch new programs.
- Identify new products, market segments, and expansion opportunities.
- Partner with Governance, Legal, Compliance, Finance, and business leaders to negotiate, review, renew, and maintain agreements aligned with company policies and objectives.
- Support partner onboarding and governance reviews.
- Develop annual business development and distribution strategies and support planning and forecasting.
- Monitor market, competitor, and MGA trends and maintain intelligence on delegated authority and program opportunities.
- Prepare executive presentations, market assessments, and strategic recommendations.
- Coordinate cross-functional resources across Underwriting, Governance, Operations, Actuarial, Claims, Legal, Finance, and Reinsurance.
- Serve as the central contact for strategic distribution initiatives and promote knowledge sharing with partners.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications- 7+ years of commercial or specialty insurance experience, including delegated authority, MGA, broker distribution, or program business.
- Proven success in business development, partner management, or distribution leadership.
- Strong knowledge of MGA and Program Administrator models and experience negotiating agreements and partnerships.
- Exceptional relationship-building, influencing, communication, presentation, and executive engagement skills.
- Ability to work effectively across business functions.
- Programs, Affinity, Fronting, or Specialty business experience preferred.
- Knowledge of delegated authority governance, contingent profit commissions, and incentive arrangements preferred.
