Head of Administration and Operations – North America in Toronto

PartnerRe is a leading, privately owned, multi-line global reinsurer with a reputation for financial stability and strength, and a commitment to rebuilding businesses and communities after risk events around the world. Our mission is to continue to be a financially stable and predictable business partner, supporting our clients with solutions tailored to their needs, delivering superior returns to our owner, providing rewarding opportunities for our people, and making a positive contribution to society.

Core to The PartnerRe Experience is our global nature. No matter where you sit in the company, you are part of something bigger. Our teams represent our truly international mindset, forging connections across office locations and all levels of the organization and building a network of mutual success.

This position is for an existing vacancy within our organization. PartnerRe is committed to an inclusive, accessible recruitment experience. Reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities are available upon request throughout the hiring process. Based in Toronto, this position is part of the Global Life Operations and Administration Team. You will be reporting to the Global Head of Operations and Administration (based in Zurich).

The Life Operations and Administration Team’s objectives include:

• The registration of contract details in our system
• The booking and settling of accounts received from our clients
• The verification and processing of seriatim policy data we receive from clients
• The audit of client operations processes

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a large, multi-level North America-based team (in both Canada and the United States) to ensure the accurate and timely execution of various operational and administration tasks on both the Assumed and Outward sides.
• Ensure that day-to-day operational dependencies with other areas (Valuation, Reporting, and Market Units) are addressed and operating smoothly.
• Represent North America in working with the Global Operations and Admin team on the optimization of administration, accounting, claims, and data processes, evaluation of risks and strengthening of key controls.
• Work with the Global Operations and Admin team and IT to enhance our data governance capabilities and support the build-out of data solutions and system enhancement projects.
• Represent North America Operations in an ongoing worldwide project to replace all existing Assumed Data Management, Treaty Administration, and Accounting systems.
• Look for ways to improve and enhance North America Ops processes and systems within this project.
• Represent Operations’ interests and viewpoints in the North America Life Business Unit meetings and discussions.
• Be responsible for the planning and execution of Audits of clients’ administration and operational practices.
• Be the owner of data supporting reserving, reporting and experience analysis, and address all queries and concerns from those stakeholders.
• Ensure that all Operations and Administration processes are executed in accordance with internal policies, procedures and controls.
• Produce regular reporting and provide feedback to Management on backlog and issues tracking, aged balances, processing timeliness, and work with different stakeholders to elevate and resolve issues on a timely basis.
• Ensure that all client-related administration issues are addressed quickly and effectively.
• Participate in the quarterly closing process with the Finance and Actuarial teams.
• Ensure that the data received from our clients is complete, accurate, consistent, and provided within the contractual deadlines.
• Conduct annual resource and operating expenses planning.

Technical Skills And Competencies:

• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is essential; knowledge of French is a plus.
• Ability to propose constructive solutions and view issues and tasks in a bigger global context while also understanding the details if necessary.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Excellent organizational skills and previous experience in managing large, cross-border and multi-functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills: ability to communicate with clients, peers, management, and other internal teams, and to deliver potentially difficult messages.
• Ability to negotiate with management and other departments/stakeholders to ensure an outcome that is beneficial and/or equitable to all parties involved.
• Ability to work in a diverse worldwide organization with teams from multiple locations.
• Ability to counsel and develop team members, and engage in succession planning.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and demonstrate flexibility.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of ten years of experience in the financial services industry, preferably in the re/insurance area.

Education:

• University degree in relevant and related areas.

PartnerRe provides a working environment in which diversity is valued, where all employees feel welcome, respected, and empowered to perform at their best.