At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives and develop high-performing teams in the Workplace Benefits & Retirement division.
- Company: Join Canada Life, a trusted leader in financial services, dedicated to improving Canadians' well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy career development, flexible health benefits, and a supportive community-focused workplace.
- Other info: Embrace opportunities for advancement and contribute to meaningful community initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping business strategies and driving growth in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in strategy or corporate development, with strong leadership and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Canada Life is seeking an AVP, Strategy to provide strategic leadership for the Workplace Benefits & Retirement (WBR) division. Reporting to the Senior Vice-President, Product & Strategy, this role will lead a team of strategy professionals and oversee a portfolio of strategic growth, transformation, and corporate development initiatives that shape the future direction of the business. As a trusted advisor to executive leadership, you will help define long-term business priorities, evaluate emerging opportunities, and drive initiatives that strengthen Canada Life's competitive position. You will play a key role in enterprise and divisional strategic planning, business transformation, strategic partnerships, and the development of growth strategies that advance organizational priorities and deliver measurable business outcomes.
What You Will Do:
- Lead strategy development and strategic planning for the Workplace Benefits & Retirement division, aligning business priorities with enterprise objectives.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team of Directors, Managers, and Strategy professionals.
- Oversee a portfolio of strategic growth and transformation initiatives, ensuring measurable business outcomes and successful execution.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior executives, providing strategic insight, analysis, and recommendations on critical business decisions.
- Identify, evaluate, and lead strategic growth opportunities, including partnerships, corporate development, market expansion, and M&A opportunities.
- Lead business case development, financial analysis, due diligence activities, and executive recommendations for major investment decisions.
- Sponsor large-scale transformation initiatives, ensuring strong governance, stakeholder alignment, and value realization.
- Lead market assessments, competitive intelligence, and industry analysis to inform strategic decision-making.
- Develop and deliver executive, Board, and leadership presentations, communications, and strategic recommendations.
- Champion talent development, succession planning, and strategy team capability building.
What You Will Bring:
- 10+ years of experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, corporate development, business transformation, or a related leadership role.
- Undergraduate degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Law, or a related field.
- MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
- Proven success leading leaders, developing high-performing teams, and delivering enterprise-level strategic initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive alignment on complex strategic decisions.
- Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and analytical problem-solving capabilities.
- Experience leading or supporting M&A transactions, strategic partnerships, corporate development initiatives, or other inorganic growth opportunities.
- Strong financial modeling, business case development, and investment analysis experience.
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills, including experience supporting executive and Board-level decision-making.
- Experience in financial services, insurance, benefits, retirement, wealth, or a related industry is an asset.
- Expert proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.
Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Grow with Canada Life
We’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. Our company is trusted by 1 in 3 Canadians and contributes to the strength of communities across the country. We’re looking for people who live our values every day: we step up, we do the right thing, and we deliver – for our customers, communities and each other. Are you someone who always strives to do the right thing, who steps up for themselves and others, and who delivers with impact? Then we want to hear from you!
What we offer:
- Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to $2,000 annually towards education reimbursement.
- Health & Wellness: Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being.
- Time Off: In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.
- Financial Security: Company-matching pension plan, share ownership program and additional investment options.
- Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
- Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.
Learn more about Canada Life. We’re committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact talentacquisitioncanada@canadalife.com. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Canada Life policies. Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.
Assistant Vice President, Strategy in London employer: Canada Life
Canada Life UK is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its employees, offering a modern and agile work environment in vibrant locations like Bristol, London, and Watford. With a strong focus on building better futures, the company fosters a welcoming culture and provides ample opportunities for professional development, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Vice President, Strategy in London
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Canada Life!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Assistant Vice President, Strategy position at Canada Life via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Vice President, Strategy in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Canada Life.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Canada Life’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canada Life
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Canada Life. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Canada Life. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Canada Life.
