AVP, Program & Project Management

Permanent Full Time 

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Canada Life is strengthening enterprise execution through the continued build‑out of a centralized Business Project Management Office (BPMO) within COBE. The Assistant Vice‑President, Program & Project Management is a pivotal leadership role responsible for building and leading a high‑performing program and project management practice that enables consistent delivery, clearer accountability, and stronger outcomes across complex business‑led initiatives.

This leader will establish delivery discipline and a strong community of practitioners, ensuring programs and projects are mobilized effectively, resourced appropriately, and executed with fit‑for‑purpose practices. The role will also partner closely with senior sponsors, Finance, Risk, and Technology counterparts to ensure delivery is aligned to strategic priorities and designed to enable adoption and value realization.

What you will do 

• Lead and build the Program & Project Management pillar within the BPMO, establishing clear role expectations, delivery standards, and consistent ways of working across business‑led initiatives.
• Provide leadership oversight for the successful delivery of programs and projects, ensuring outcomes are achieved within defined scope, timelines, budgets, and quality expectations.
• Establish and mature standards, templates, and interaction models for programs and projects, partnering with TPMO where appropriate to reduce duplication and streamline delivery practices.
• Create and sponsor a strong community of practice (CoP) and capability‑building approach (training, coaching, mentoring) to strengthen program/project leadership skills and create consistent delivery maturity over time.
• Lead resourcing and capacity planning for program and project practitioners, actively managing demand, deploying resources to priority work, and re‑forecasting based on actual utilization and evolving needs
• Drive effective mobilization support for priority initiatives—providing interim support to launch work while business areas confirm longer‑term resourcing and delivery plans.
• Provide executive‑ready delivery insights and escalation support, including surfacing risks, constraints, dependencies, and trade‑offs to enable timely sponsor decisions and reduce delivery friction.
• Build and sustain strong cross‑functional partnerships with sponsors and enabling teams (Finance, Risk, TPMO, HR partners) to improve delivery consistency and outcomes across the enterprise.

What you will bring 

• 10+ years of experience leading program and/or project delivery functions, including responsibility for delivery outcomes across complex portfolios or enterprise programs.
• Demonstrated ability to build and mature a program/project management practice—standards, coaching, community building, and performance expectations—within a complex, matrixed organization.
• Strong executive partnership capability—able to influence without direct authority, navigate ambiguity, and lead through transformation while maintaining delivery discipline.
• Proven strength in delivery planning, resourcing, and execution oversight, including the ability to surface trade‑offs, manage risk, and enable sponsor decisions.
• Experience building high‑performing teams and developing leaders; comfortable setting expectations, coaching, and driving accountability through a people‑leadership lens.
• Strong financial and governance acumen (forecasting, budget awareness, delivery controls), ideally within a regulated environment such as financial services/insurance.
• A continuous improvement mindset and comfort driving standardization where it helps—and flexibility where it’s required—so delivery practices are applied consistently but fit for purpose.
• University degree in business, technology, or a related discipline; professional designations such as PMP and/or Agile/Scrum credentials are considered assets.
• Reliability Status Security Clearance – this can only be completed with candidates who receive an offer of employment. This is a personal security status that is required as a condition of employment before an employee can gain access to Protected B information, assets or work sites as outlined by the Government of Canada  website.  The cost of submitting these checks will be covered by Canada Life.
• As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism is an asset (fluent in French and English) but is required for Quebec only as the position will regularly serve our clients with French and English-speaking needs. 

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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