Job Description

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 world's most impactful global insurance provider? Look no further than Zurich Canada.
If you have experience in expense management and financial analysis and are seeking a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.
Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Lead Expense Analyst to work within the Planning & Performance Management team, and to play a pivotal role in shaping how we manage enterprise expenses and technology investments. This isn't just about tracking numbers - it's about driving performance. You'll deliver actionable insights, build dynamic financial models, and uncover efficiencies that make a real impact.
Reporting to the Head of Planning & Performance Management for Zurich Canada, you'll lead planning, forecasting, and analysis of operational expenditures (OPEX) and technology capital (CAPEX, amortization, and more), while ensuring IFRScompliant accounting treatment. In this highly visible role, you'll collaborate with Finance, HR, IT/Operations, and senior leadership to align financial objectives with business goals and influence decisions at the highest level.
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

• Deliver timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual expense reports and presentations with commentary and insights to a broad range of executive audiences
• Partner with cost center leaders during annual business planning cycle and quarterly forecast cycles to develop operating expense budget and forecast.
• Partner with executive leaders including Head of Planning & Performance Management to provide data-driven insights to support operating expense optimization initiatives.
• Manage technology spend across CAPEX and OPEX, ensuring proper classification and alignment with asset life cycles and benefit realization while ensuring compliance with IFRS standards and group accounting policy.
• Manage all financial aspects of strategic project investments, including developing business case benefit models, tracking, and reporting expenses against approved budgets and project KPIs, and ensuring project teams remain accountable to funding allocations.
• Drive automation and process improvements to enhance reporting efficiency and accuracy. Identify and implement enhancements to planning/forecasting tools, processes, and methodologies.

Job Qualifications - What you bring to the table
Required:

• Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Experience with ERP/Planning tools (SAP/Oracle/Anaplan) and Coupa.
• Deep understanding of IFRS and Group Accounting Policy for technology assets.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex data.
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; Proven ability to influence without authority and collaborate across functions.

Preferred:

• AN MBA and/or CPA designation is preferred but not mandatory.
• Knowledge of insurance P&C/Life business drivers impacting expense dynamics.
• Expertise in amortization schedules and cost-benefit analysis for IT investments.
• Experience with cloud cost accounting and FinOps practices.

Basic:

• Bachelors Degree and 6 or more years of experience in the Accounting or Finance area

OR

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 8 or more years of experience in the Accounting or Finance area

OR

• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including Associate Degree and 6 or more years of experience in the Accounting or Finance area

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 $95,000 to $135,000. 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. Read more at .
A future with Zurich
Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together. As part of a leading global organization, Zurich North America has over 148 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience. We are a leading provider of commercial property-casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals. Today, we serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology and insure 90% of the Fortune 500. Our growth strategy is not limited to our business. As an employer, Zurich strives to provide ongoing career development opportunities and foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging. Be a part of the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our people, our customers and the communities we serve.
As a global company, Zurich recognizes the diversity of our workforce as an asset. We recruit talented people from a variety of backgrounds with unique perspectives that are truly welcome here. Taken together, diversity and inclusion bring us closer to our common goal: exceeding our customers' expectations. Zurich is committed to providing a diverse, inclusive and barrier-free environment resulting in an accessible organization for employees, customers, and other parties who interact with, or on behalf of, Zurich. We strive to achieve a workplace free of discrimination of all forms, including discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disability, or medical condition. If you are interested in a job opportunity, please advise if you require an accommodation, so we can work with you to provide a more accessible process.
Zurich does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume will become the property of Zurich Canadian Holdings Limited. If you are a preferred vendor, please use our Recruiting Agency Portal for resume submission.
Only applicable for Canada: For Zurich Canada's commitment to diversity and accessibility please . If you would prefer to not receive future electronic messages from Zurich Insurance Company Ltd's recruitment management system, please email your request to have your job profile deleted from the system by clicking . Zurich Insurance Company Ltd 100 King St., W., Suite 5500, Toronto, ON, M5X 1C9.

Skills Required