Chief Compliance Officer - Canada

The Opportunity

If you have significant experience leading compliance programs within a regulated environment and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Chief Compliance Officer to lead the Canadian Compliance function and help the business identify, manage and mitigate compliance risk while continuing to strengthen an ethics-based culture.

In this highly visible leadership role, you will set the direction for the Compliance function in Canada, provide strategic and practical advice to senior leaders, and ensure that compliance risks are appropriately identified, assessed and managed. You will lead and develop the Canadian Compliance team while partnering closely with stakeholders across the business, North America and the broader Compliance organization.

This role requires a leader who can operate comfortably at both the strategic and hands-on levels. You will bring the depth of compliance expertise needed to advise and influence senior stakeholders while remaining close enough to the work to support the team operationally when required.

This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience for the future in a supportive environment where your voice matters. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

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:

•    Set the strategic direction for Compliance in Canada, aligning the function with business priorities, Zurich’s Compliance framework and an evolving regulatory environment.
•    Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing practical, business-focused guidance on regulatory developments, emerging compliance risks and key business decisions.
•    Lead Zurich Canada’s compliance risk management and oversight, ensuring risks are proactively identified, assessed and managed through an effective compliance program and control environment.
•    Build strong relationships across the business and broader Compliance organization, working closely with Legal and other key partners and supporting constructive engagement on regulatory matters.
•    Champion a strong culture of integrity and compliance, helping embed clear accountability and effective compliance practices across the organization.
•    Lead and develop the Canadian Compliance team, setting clear priorities, building capability and combining strategic leadership with the functional depth to remain close to critical matters when needed.

Job Qualifications - What you bring to the table:

Required
•    Bachelor's degree and 9 or more years of experience in Compliance Programs and Management.
•    2 or more years of people management experience.
•    Experience working within a local regulatory and governance environment.
•    Experience developing, implementing, managing and monitoring corporate compliance programs and working with codes of conduct and ethical matters.
•    Strong knowledge of compliance principles, regulatory risk and the legal and regulatory environment.
•    Executive presence and credibility, with the ability to communicate complex compliance and regulatory matters clearly, influence senior leaders and build trusted relationships across the organization.
•    Strategic and commercial judgment, with strong analytical capabilities and the ability to translate regulatory requirements and emerging risks into practical, business-focused solutions.
•    Proven leadership capability, with the ability to set direction, develop and empower a high-performing team, and maintain sufficient functional depth to remain close to critical compliance matters when required.

Preferred
•    Commercial Property & Casualty insurance experience.
•    Insurance regulatory experience.
•    J.D. degree or equivalent and/or MBA.

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.