Senior Project Manager

Permanent Full Time 

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The Senior Project Manager plays a critical role in leading large, high-risk, multi-workstream digital transformation projects with significant business impact, within the Technology PMO, delivering innovative solutions that modernize insurance benefits and operations while elevating client experience. This role combines strategic project leadership, stakeholder engagement, and change management to drive impactful outcomes across enterprise platforms and emerging technologies.

Working on the front line with our business partners, vendors, and other stakeholders, this role is highly visible and collaborative to deliver initiatives on time and within budget. It is a professional role that combines strong Project Management, Business Relationship, and Change Management skills to drive strategic outcomes and transformation. This role reports to the Manager, Project Delivery, within the Workplace Benefits & Retirement, Digital, AI, Applications and Platforms, and Canadian Operations & Business Enablement portfolio.

• Accountable for end-to-end delivery of complex digital initiatives, driving innovation and transformation while ensuring alignment with PDLC, governance standards, and organizational objectives.
• Accountable for delivering business outcomes and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
• Partner with senior and executive stakeholders to influence decisions and manage trade-offs.
• Lead cross-functional teams through ambiguity and drives organizational change.
• Develop comprehensive project plans for large, complex initiatives with multiple workstreams, ensuring alignment with business objectives and governance standards, in partnership with internal and external stakeholders and work with third-party vendors to integrate plans and align deliverables.
• Manage overall project governance including stakeholder communication, meeting facilitation, documentation, resources, financials, scheduling, and status reporting.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative risk analysis and manages complex budgets and forecasts.
• Develop detailed project plans, stakeholder matrix, RAID logs, cut-over plans, and financial summaries and executive steering presentations and dashboards, as required.
• Coordinates internal and external resources and monitors deliverables.
• Monitor and track projects in internal systems; monitors resource usage vs. budget and prepares and updates cost plans regularly.
• Work proactively to resolve issues and mitigate risks.
• Adjust plans and communication to achieve desired outcomes.
• Ensure project documentation is complete and current.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews and documents lessons learned.
• Build and foster productive relationships with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with security, risk, and compliance teams for required assessments and artefacts and manages all technical project risks, ensuring compliance with established cyber and risk controls.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives and participates in internal community of practice project management events and development opportunities.
• Mentor project managers and team members on processes and tools.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Minimum 5 to 10 years of experience managing large complex projects with multiple workstreams, including digital transformation initiatives, software implementations, integrations, and data migration.

• PMP or equivalent certification required; Agile/SAFe certifications considered an asset.

• Proven ability to lead large, complex projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Proven ability to influence senior leadership and manage executive-level stakeholders, including communications and negotiations.

• Strong track record of stakeholder management and leading cross-functional teams to achieve project deliverables.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity, drive organizational change and simplify complex situations to deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Deep understanding of Project Delivery Life Cycle (PDLC) and governance frameworks.

• Experience with digital platforms, AI, cloud technologies, and data-driven solutions considered an asset.

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical concepts into business terms for executive audiences.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, with confidence in formal speaking situations.
• Strategic thinking and decision-making.
• Ability to build and foster productive relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong client-centric focus while balancing technology and business expectations.
• Results-driven, collaborative, and adaptable to change.
• Ability to accommodate flexible schedules when required.

NICE TO HAVES

• Experience mentoring project managers and fostering high-performing teams.
• Experience delivering projects with enterprise-level impact.
• Relevant credentials such as PMI-PBA, Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), or SAFe Agilist considered an asset.
• Advanced knowledge of project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Iterative) and tools (MS Project, JIRA, Confluence, SharePoint).
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.

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The base salary for this position is between $79,100 - $131,800 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation ( i.e. annual bonus, commission etc). If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.

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 everyday: 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:  

We’re committed to supporting our employees through every stage of their career. Here’s what you can expect as a full-time or part-time permanent team member: 

• 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. 

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