Job Description

Assistant Director, Insurance
University of Toronto
Location: Toronto, ON
Department: Enterprise Risk Management and Insurance Office
Reference #: MG-UOT-9173
The University of Toronto is inviting applications for the position of Assistant Director, Insurance. The Assistant Director, Insurance is responsible for supporting the preservation of the University of Toronto's tangible assets, financial health, and operational integrity by leading the delivery of the University's property and casualty insurance programs, claims processes, and related risk and insurance advisory services. The role supports the University community by managing effective insurance placement and administration, contributing to the management of property and liability losses, overseeing key insurer/member engagement activities with the Canadian Universities Reciprocal Insurance Exchange (CURIE), and managing the operational insurance requirements associated with University activities including but not limited to, capital projects and course of construction exposures.
Reporting to the Director, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) & Insurance, the Assistant Director, Insurance provides strategic and operational leadership for core insurance and claims processes within broad University guidelines and established program structures. The position involves internal and external information gathering, stakeholder management, negotiation, communication, insurance market knowledge, claims management practices, and risk assessment within an appropriate financial, legal, business, and cultural framework. The Office handles confidential and sensitive information pertaining to the University operations.
Key Responsibilities
Insurance Program Operations and Renewal Execution

• Leads the administration of the University's property and casualty insurance programs, including coordination of underwriting data, exposure reporting, renewal calendars, underwriting submissions, and related documentation.
• Coordinates with CURIE and/or brokers/insurers (as applicable) to obtain, review, and process policy documents, endorsements, and related program records, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and timely execution.
• Negotiates complex insurance contracts and risk parameters, including multifaceted insurance policies to ensure coverage adequately protects the University's financial and legal interests.

Claims Oversight and Complex File Coordination

• Oversees coordination of claims activity to ensure the University's financial and other interests are protected, including triage, investigation support, coordination of internal stakeholders, and liaison with adjusters, counsel, insurers, brokers, and expert service providers.
• Working closely with the Office of University Counsel, develops recommended claim strategies and settlement parameters for complex claims and disputed matters; reviews escalated disputes and proposes final settlement options to the assigned Legal Counsel and Director, ERM & Insurance.

CURIE Relationship Management, Loss Control, and Sector Engagement

• Leads the operational relationship with CURIE, including participation in CURIE member engagement activities (e.g., Risk Advisory Committee and related subcommittees) as assigned by CURIE.
• Oversees internal coordination of CURIE-driven processes, including ongoing loss control inspections and follow-up tracking of recommendations; escalates significant or unresolved issues to the Director.

Capital Projects / Course of Construction Insurance Operations

• Leads the day-to-day insurance support associated with complex capital projects where the University procures project-related insurance (generally contract value $5,000,000+), requiring a strategic, multi-disciplinary approach to planning, organizing, coordinating, implementing and managing for the many constituencies who may be involved, including intake, underwriting submissions, placement/confirmation coordination, documentation, and ongoing administration.
• Serves as the primary operational insurance contact for project teams and coordinates timely responses to insurance-related requirements and questions.
• Applies a tiered engagement approach for major projects.

Contract Insurance Requirements and Risk Transfer Support

• Provides advanced level of function and advice, operational leadership and guidance to the University community regarding insurance requirements and risk transfer practices in agreements, supporting consistent application of established standards.
• Advises on contractual risk transfer for University departments for use in various agreements, including asset buy/lease/borrow, fieldwork, volunteers, student placements, institutional affiliations agreements, financial contracts, flagging risks and guiding to others to ensure compliance.
• Identifies exceptions, ambiguous risk allocations, or disputed positions and escalates such matters to the Director for final determination and resolution.

Operational Governance, Reporting Support, and Continuous Improvement

• Provides critical advice on developing university-wide policy for all areas involving insurance, such as departmental responsibility deductibles, self-insured claims, reserve parameters, premium cost allocations to ancillaries and coverage issues.
• Develops and maintains operational playbooks, templates, calendars, and process documentation (e.g., renewal cycle, construction insurance intake, loss control tracking) to improve consistency, service delivery, and continuity.
• Produces operational dashboards/briefings for the Director as required and supports preparation of higher-level reporting.

Human Resources Management

• Full managerial authority over the Risk Management & Insurance Analysts in the work unit/department.
• Plan strategically for and define the organizational structure for the Unit/Department including the kinds of equipment used, the methods and techniques of work, the work assignments, duties and responsibilities of positions and the classifications and qualifications of positions as well as other management rights contained in appropriate collective agreements.
• Budget responsibilities related to the human resources management.
• Discuss performance with employees to provide feedback and address performance related issues as part of the employee development process.
• Evaluate employee performance based on assessment of individual's work and achievement of performance goals.
• Consult with HR when dealing with serious issues that effect employment relationships.
• Strategically manage labour relations implications of business disruptions; participate as representative of department in broader strategic management initiatives related to planning for business disruptions in the University.
• Recommend training courses, seminars and conferences for staff to update and enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Resolve technical problems and staff-related issues that arise during department/project work on a timely basis, to ensure work can be completed with minimal delay.

Financial Management

• Procure multifaceted insurance policies comprised of high self-insured retentions, specialist insurance providers and selected, high quality commercial suppliers and when required, insurance policy coverage for the University and ensure that coverage levels protect the University's financial and legal interests, in collaboration with Director, ERM & Insurance.
• Exercises delegated financial authority for operational expenditures/commitments up to $100,000, within approved plans/budgets and established procedures.
• Recommends operational and coverage options; escalates material program changes (e.g., changes affecting risk posture, structure/retentions, precedent-setting positions, or significant stakeholder sensitivity) to the Director for approval.
• Final settlement authority and final internal arbitration/dispute resolution authority remain with the Director.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant area of study (e.g. Business, Finance, Commerce) o a completion of an appropriate Insurance/Risk designation (e.g., CIP, CRM), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 7-10 years of leadership experience in progressive experience in property and casualty insurance, claims, or risk management in a complex organization (public sector and/or higher education experience an asset).
• Demonstrated experience supporting construction/capital project insurance placements and coordinating multi-stakeholder files.
• Experience supervising within a unionized environment, interpreting insurance policies, change management and project management.
• Strong working knowledge of property and casualty insurance markets, products, processes, and customs; sound knowledge of claims handling practices and documentation standards.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate, build relationships, and communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and external service providers.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills; ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality; ability to translate technical insurance concepts into practical options for non-specialists.
• Working knowledge of basic legal principles relevant to insurance, tort, and contract interpretation in a claims/risk context.
• Knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements for a large public sector organization.

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 5
Hiring Zone: $120,499 - $140,583
Broadband Salary Range: $120,499 - $200,831
How to Apply
To express interest in this opportunity please apply online by clicking apply now.
This search is for a current, existing vacancy. For more information about this exciting opportunity please contact Abbey MacLeod, Senior Executive Recruiter, at or Mark Gillis, Partner, at . If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.
Meridia Recruitment does not use artificial intelligence to screen candidate applications.
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
The University of Toronto and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate

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