AI Innovation Specialist

The Opportunity

Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world? Look no further than Zurich Canada. 

If you have senior-level, hands-on experience designing and enabling artificial intelligence solutions, including generative artificial intelligence and large language models, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for an AI Innovation Specialist to join the Data, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence team, reporting into the Vice President of Data, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. This role will help accelerate artificial intelligence innovation across the organization by identifying high-value use cases, designing practical proof of concepts, and partnering with stakeholders to turn ideas into scalable business solutions.

You will work closely with business leaders, technology teams, data partners, and frontline teams to explore where artificial intelligence can improve customer, broker, employee, and operational outcomes. You will bring a strong understanding of modern artificial intelligence capabilities, including large language models, prompt design, automation, workflow enablement, and responsible artificial intelligence practices, while helping the organization build momentum, confidence, and excitement around practical adoption.

This is a unique opportunity for a senior artificial intelligence practitioner to shape how Zurich Canada discovers, tests, and scales artificial intelligence solutions in a responsible, business-focused, and collaborative way.

Zurich Canada uses artificial intelligence–enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process, including the initial review and screening of applications. Artificial intelligence is not the sole basis for candidate shortlisting or selection. All hiring decisions are reviewed and made by qualified hiring professionals.

Zurich follows a hybrid work model requiring three days per week of in-person presence, which may include time in the office or market-facing engagements.

What you will do

• Drive artificial intelligence innovation across the organization by identifying, shaping, and prioritizing high-value use cases with business stakeholders.
• Design and deliver proof of concepts that demonstrate practical artificial intelligence opportunities, including solutions using large language models, generative artificial intelligence, automation, and intelligent workflow support.
• Partner with business, data, technology, legal, compliance, risk, and security teams to move artificial intelligence ideas from discovery through experimentation, validation, and adoption.
• Translate business challenges into clear artificial intelligence solution concepts, user stories, success measures, and implementation considerations.
• Apply hands-on experience with artificial intelligence tools and techniques, including prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation concepts, model evaluation, workflow design, and rapid prototyping.
• Support the development and execution of the organization’s artificial intelligence strategy by bringing forward emerging opportunities, adoption barriers, and practical recommendations.
• Create clear demonstrations, prototypes, presentations, and business cases that help stakeholders understand the value, feasibility, risks, and adoption path for artificial intelligence solutions.
• Champion responsible artificial intelligence practices, including appropriate governance, risk assessment, human oversight, data protection, transparency, and ethical use.
• Build momentum and excitement for artificial intelligence adoption by enabling stakeholders, sharing practical examples, supporting training, and helping teams apply new capabilities in their day-to-day work.
• Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing Data, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence team by sharing expertise, mentoring peers where appropriate, and helping mature the organization’s artificial intelligence innovation capability.

Job Qualifications - What you bring to the table

Required:

• Bachelors Degree and 4 or more years of experience in the Insurance or Operations area

OR

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 6 or more years of experience in the Insurance or Operations area

OR

• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including Associate Degree and 4 or more years of experience in the Insurance or Operations area

AND

• Project management experience

Preferred:

• Hands-on experience designing and delivering cross-functional initiatives (including artificial intelligence and automation solutions), managing change, and engaging various stakeholders
• Experience working with generative artificial intelligence, large language models, artificial intelligence tools, or applied artificial intelligence solutions in a business environment
• Senior-level, hands-on experience supporting artificial intelligence innovation, digital transformation, product experimentation, or technology-enabled business change
• Practical experience in a business setting with large language models, generative artificial intelligence tools, prompt design, agentic workflows, retrieval-augmented generation concepts, or artificial intelligence-assisted automation
• Experience designing and delivering proof of concepts, pilots, prototypes, or minimum viable products with measurable business outcomes
• Strong ability to discover and frame business use cases across varied business units, assess feasibility, define success metrics, and translate ideas into practical solution concepts
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work across business, data, technology, legal, compliance, risk, and security teams
• Ability to communicate artificial intelligence concepts in clear, business-friendly language and build confidence with non-technical audiences
• Understanding of responsible artificial intelligence practices, including governance, privacy, human oversight, transparency, model limitations, and ethical use
• Experience preparing presentations, demos, business cases, adoption plans, training materials, or executive-ready recommendations
• Strong curiosity, learning agility, problem solving, and ability to stay current with emerging artificial intelligence capabilities, tools, and industry trends
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, move work forward independently, and create structure in ambiguous environments
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to influence, enable, and energize teams across the organization
• Insurance, financial services, data analytics, or enterprise transformation experience is an asset

At Zurich Canada, we are committed to pay equity. We determine compensation based on objective criteria such as skills, experience, and internal equity. The salary range for this position is $90,000 -  $110,000. This range reflects the expected pay for the role across Canada and may vary depending on factors like office location, specific responsibilities, and individual qualifications. As required by local law, Zurich provides in good faith a reasonable compensation range, but starting salaries may exceed this range based on a candidate’s skills and experience. 

Our Culture

• At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB). We want you to bring your whole self to work, and we want our employees to be reflective of the communities in which we live and work. Our DIEB initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.  
• We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is valued. We value your input and strive to give our employees the tools they need to make an impact.   
• We care about our employees’ well-being and offer a comprehensive health/benefits plan with varying levels of coverage to suit your specific needs and a competitive total compensation package.  
• We understand how important it is to rest, recharge and do the things you love. At Zurich, all employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year to do just that.  
• We also understand that employees require time off for personal reasons. Maybe you have an appointment during a workday, a cultural or religious holiday you would like to observe, or you need time off to focus on your mental health. Zurich employees receive four personal days per year to be used at their discretion.   
• We are committed to continuous improvement and offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.   

• We care about our communities. Our communities are where our customers, people, and shareholders live and work. While we can be proud of the contribution to society Zurich makes through our core business of insurance, we must also give back to our communities through our talent, time and resources.  
• We have won numerous awards for our workplace culture. We are proud to be one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and to have received Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.     

Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us. 

About Us

Zurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a multi-line insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide serving customers in global and local markets. Zurich Canada has been a leading insurance provider serving mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in the Canadian commercial market for 100 years. With over 900 employees in offices across the country, Zurich offers the global strength of a top insurance provider combined with in-depth knowledge of industries and local markets. Zurich Canada aspires to be risk management professionals’ first choice as their premier partner to help meet the risk challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more at www.zurichcanada.com.