Senior Pension & Benefits Consultant

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 experience in pensions, benefits, and total rewards and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Senior Pension & Benefits Consultant to support the continued evolution of our Total Rewards offering and serve as the subject matter expert for pensions and benefits in Canada.

Reporting to the AVP, Total Rewards & HR Operations, you will play a key role in ensuring Zurich Canada’s pension and benefits programs are well-governed, competitive, and clearly understood. This highly visible role requires strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to confidently engage and influence senior stakeholders. You will act as a trusted advisor to leaders, employees, and external partners while helping modernize and continuously improve our pension and benefits programs through insights, technology, and operational excellence.

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:

Pension Leadership & Governance

• Lead pension plan administration and governance across Canada 
• Act as the primary liaison with pension providers, advisors, and external partners
• Lead the Pension Committee for Zurich Canada, including setting agendas, shaping discussions, and ensuring effective decision-making and governance
• Represent the Pension Committee in discussions with senior leadership and, where required, at Board-level forums 
• Identify and manage risks, compliance requirements, and escalations with sound judgment 

Benefits Strategy & Delivery

• Oversee administration and governance of employee benefits programs
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure service quality, cost effectiveness, and performance
• Lead benchmarking and market analysis to maintain competitive and sustainable offerings 

Stakeholder Partnership & Influence

• Act as a trusted advisor to employees, HR Business Partners, and business leaders
• Communicate complex pension and benefits topics with clarity, confidence, and credibility
• Build strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders to drive effective outcomes
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and peer review to internal team members to support consistent, high-quality client delivery 

Insights, Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Deliver clear and engaging communications and education to employees
• Analyze plan data, utilization, and cost trends to inform decisions 
• Leverage technology and AI-enabled tools to improve insights, reporting, and operational efficiency
• Bring forward external market insights and industry best practices to continuously evolve programs 
  
  

What you bring to the table:

Required:

•    Bachelor’s Degree and 6 or more years of experience in Pensions, Benefits, Total Rewards, Human Resources, Finance, or a related field 

OR

•    High School Diploma or Equivalent and 8 or more years of experience in Pensions, Benefits, Total Rewards, Human Resources, Finance, or a related field 

AND

•    Strong knowledge of Canadian pension governance, administration, and regulatory requirements 
•    Experience leading and supporting pension committees or senior governance forums 
•    Proven ability to manage vendors and external partners effectively 
•    Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate data into clear recommendations 
•    Confidence presenting and communicating with senior stakeholders and diverse audiences 
•    High attention to detail, sound judgment, and accountability 
•    Advanced Excel skills and comfort working with complex data 
•    Experience leveraging technology, automation, or AI-enabled tools to improve processes and insights 
•    Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex topics and build trust quickly 

Preferred / Assets:

•    CEBS, CPP, CHRP, or CHRL designation (or in progress) 
•    Experience in financial services or a regulated environment 
•    Experience with pension governance, compliance, and fiduciary frameworks 
•    Bilingual in English and French 

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 - $120,000. 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 650 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.