AVP, Legal (P&C Litigation) - Accident Benefits

Company: Co-operators

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Regular Full-Time

Work Model: Hybrid

Language: English is required, French is an asset.

Additional Information: This/these role(s) is/are currently vacant.

The Opportunity

We are a leading Canadian financial services co-operative committed to being a catalyst for a sustainable and resilient society and our team is essential to deliver on this strategy. That’s why we prioritize our people, to ensure we provide a strong culture and development opportunities which enables our team to thrive and to live our purpose. The best part is that you will work with people that care passionately about you, our clients, and our communities.

The Associate Vice President, Legal (P&C Litigation) will have the opportunity to make significant contributions to our national in-house litigation team supporting the Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance claims function. As an integral lead within the national P&C litigation leadership team, you will collaboratively add to strategic roadmaps and educational plans, motivationally leading and mentoring a regional team of litigation lawyers and legal support experts to deliver optimal customer-centric business value.

How You Will Create Impact

• Building a regional team of Litigation professionals (i.e. lawyers and law clerks) to support accident benefits claims, auto claims, bodily injury claims and/or property claims.
• Providing guidance and oversight for matters handled by direct reports within the regional practice area including file assignment and caseload management.
• Maintaining a personal caseload of P&C litigation matters through final disposition, including settlement, trials, hearings and appeals.
• Supporting the VP in the development and reporting on departmental best practices including Key Performance Indicators and Key Risk Indicators. Additionally, accountable for the budget for the practice area.
• Collaborating with in-house Legal Operations professionals to optimize processes and procedures including implementation of tools, technologies and systems.
• Ongoing partnership with operations lead(s) to ensure the efficacy of litigation learnings.
• Collaboratively contributing to national plans that will promote staff engagement, facilitate employee development, and address training needs to build bench strength for the units.
• Inspiring and motivating your team to execute on objectives through effective coaching and mentoring, identifying and developing leadership talent, and fostering an innovative, collaborative, diverse, and agile culture.
  
  
  

How You Will Succeed

• You cultivate a client centric culture, drive organizational change and champion innovative thinking.
• You foster sustainable relationships with stakeholders to identify strategies, explore broader solutions and collaboratively resolve contentious issues.
• You build trust with employees and business partners and inspire your team through compelling communication.
• You role model co-operative values, encourage the development of your staff and build high performing teams to meet the evolving needs of the organization.
• You are integral in identifying and implementing the long-term vision for the organization and apply a strategic mindset to adjust business priorities based on emerging trends.
  
  
  

To Join Our Team

• You have 8yrs+ of progressive experience in P&C claims litigation.
• You have completed a Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and are Licensed and in good standing as a lawyer in Canada.
• You have experience with trials and/or hearings in the defence of litigation involving accident benefits claims, auto claims, bodily injury claims, as well as litigation related to property claims.
• You are an experienced people leader, well-skilled in developing, empowering and leading teams to successfully deliver on business objectives. Additional skills in building, scaling up, and/or redesigning teams are an asset.
• You are knowledgeable of market trends, regulatory policies, and best practices and have some experience contributing to legal departmental strategies, structures, and standardized practices.
• Having in-house insurance industry experience would be an asset.
  
  
  

What You Need To Know

• As a leader, strict confidentiality is required with respect to sensitive matters and employees’ personal information.
• Detail oriented work that requires a moderate degree of mental concentration for extended periods of time. 
• Extended work hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required.
• This position primarily works with majority non-francophone groups, and teams located outside of Québec, and requires proficiency in English. The essential non-French duties are not assignable to adjacent or other team members. 
• You will be subject to a background check as a condition of employment, in the event you are the successful candidate.
  
  
  

What’s in it for you?

• Training and development opportunities to grow your career.
• Flexible work options and paid time off to support your personal and family needs.
• A holistic approach to your well-being, with physical and mental health programs and a supportive workplace culture.
• Paid volunteer days to give back to your community.
• A comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive salary, bonus, pension and benefits.