AVP, Talent Acquisition Manager

The Opportunity

At Zurich Canada, we know that our people are our greatest asset. We are looking for a dynamic Talent Acquisition Manager, reporting directly to the VP, Head of Talent, Canada, who will not only execute our existing talent acquisition strategy, but also evolve and shape its future in line with our business priorities. This role requires a strategic, forward-thinking leader who thrives on building relationships, influencing stakeholders, and positioning Zurich as an employer of choice in the Canadian market.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is as comfortable leading operational excellence as they are driving innovation in talent acquisition. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to act as a thought leader in the industry, representing Zurich Canada at market events, developing relationships with external partners, and play a critical part in establishing Zurich Canada as an employer of choice in the industry.

This is a hybrid work opportunity.

What you will do in this role:

As Talent Acquisition Manager, you will:

•    Lead and evolve Zurich Canada’s Talent Acquisition (TA) strategy, ensuring alignment with business priorities while anticipating future workforce needs.
•    Co-create innovative workforce solutions with HR and business leaders to attract, engage, and retain top talent.
•    Act as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on market trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in recruitment.
•    Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders (business leaders, HR colleagues, recruiters) and external stakeholders (industry associations, universities, partners, agencies).
•    Serve as a visible ambassador and thought leader for Zurich Canada, participating in industry forums, conferences, and events to strengthen our employer brand.
•    Drive adoption of AI, digital tools, and emerging technologies to elevate efficiency, candidate experience, and workforce insights.
•    Oversee the execution of full-cycle recruitment, ensuring a seamless candidate and hiring manager experience.
•    Manage, coach, and inspire the Talent Acquisition team, building capacity and capability to deliver against current and future business needs.
•    Oversee early career and campus recruitment programs, including apprenticeships, internships, and graduate programs.
•    Partner with educational institutions and external organizations to build robust pipelines of emerging talent.
•    Monitor and report on TA metrics, providing insights that inform decision-making and demonstrate business impact.
•    Drive continuous improvement in recruitment practices, ensuring agility and adaptability to evolving market conditions.

What you bring to the table:

Required:

•    Bachelors Degree and 10 or more years of experience in the Human Resources Management and Recruiting area

OR 

•    High School Diploma or Equivalent and 12 or more years of experience in the Human Resources Management and Recruiting area 

AND

•    2+ years in leadership, managing and coaching teams to success.
•    Demonstrated ability to develop, evolve, and execute TA strategies that align with business objectives.
•    Strong business acumen and ability to connect talent priorities to broader organizational goals.
•    Experience in leveraging AI, digital platforms, and technology to enhance recruitment effectiveness and innovation.
•    Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills with both internal leaders and external partners.
•    Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to represent the company externally as a market-facing thought leader.
•    Track record of leading and developing high-performing recruitment teams.

Preferred:

•    CHRP
•    CHRL; or working towards completion
•    Bilingual English/French 
•    Advanced Microsoft Office skills
•    Experience within the insurance or financial services industry.
•    Demonstrated presence at industry events, conferences, or as a recognized speaker/panelist in talent acquisition or HR.
•    Advanced knowledge of employer branding, recruitment marketing, and proactive sourcing strategies.

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 500 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.