VP, Specialty & Programs

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential. 

Officer position responsible for the strategic leadership, growth, profitability, and underwriting excellence of CNA Canada's Specialty and Programs business. Leads multiple specialty product lines, including Management Liability, Financial Lines, Cyber & Professional Lines, Healthcare, and Programs/Affinity, while ensuring alignment with Canadian and Global business strategies. Accountable for driving profitable growth, portfolio management, underwriting governance, distribution engagement, talent development, and market expansion across Canada. Partners closely with Global business leaders to advance specialty capabilities, foster innovation, and strengthen CNA's market position in targeted growth segments. Leads a high-performing underwriting organization and champions a culture of performance, collaboration, technical excellence, and customer focus. This role has significant influence on corporate strategy, underwriting direction, and long-term business results.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines.

• Develops and executes the strategic vision, business plan, and growth agenda for CNA Canada's Specialty and Programs business, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and specialty strategies. 
• Provides executive leadership for Specialty product lines, including Management Liability, Financial Lines, Cyber & Professional Lines, Healthcare, and Programs/Affinity, driving profitable growth, market expansion, and long-term business performance.
• Accountable for the overall financial performance of the Specialty and Programs portfolio, including premium growth, profitability, retention, rate adequacy, expense management, and portfolio optimization.
• Establishes underwriting strategies, risk appetite, and portfolio management frameworks that support growth objectives while maintaining underwriting discipline and governance standards.
• Identifies emerging market opportunities, industry trends, and customer needs to drive innovation, product development, underwriting capabilities, and competitive differentiation.
• Leads the development and execution of distribution strategies to strengthen relationships with brokers, program administrators, affinity partners, and key customers while expanding CNA's market presence and relevance.
• Collaborates with Global Specialty leaders to align business strategies, leverage international expertise, share market intelligence, and advance specialty capabilities within the Canadian market.
• Provides executive oversight for Programs and Affinity business, including delegated underwriting authority arrangements, program governance, operational performance, audit requirements, compliance standards, and strategic partner relationships. 
• Drives adherence to underwriting authority, governance standards, audit criteria, regulatory requirements, and enterprise risk management practices across all Specialty and Programs operations. 
• Partners with Actuarial, Claims, Risk Control, Operations, Compliance, Legal, Finance, HR and Technology leaders to develop integrated business strategies and deliver sustainable business results. 
• Monitors portfolio performance through analysis of financial, operational, and underwriting results and implements corrective actions and strategic initiatives as needed to achieve business objectives.
• Represents CNA within the marketplace through executive engagement with brokers, customers, industry associations, and other external stakeholders to strengthen brand awareness and market credibility.
• Builds, leads, and develops a high-performing national underwriting organization, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, technical excellence, and continuous learning.
• Provides leadership in talent acquisition, workforce planning, succession management, and leadership development to ensure long-term organizational capability and bench strength.
• Champions change management initiatives, operational improvements, and digital capabilities that enhance customer experience, underwriting effectiveness, and business performance.
• Serves as a key contributor to the Canadian Leadership Team and participates in the development of enterprise-wide strategic priorities and initiatives.
• Performs additional duties as assigned

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
 

• Extensive knowledge of specialty insurance products, underwriting disciplines, portfolio management, and risk selection practices, including Management Liability, Financial Lines, Cyber & Professional Lines, Healthcare, and Programs/Affinity business.
• Proven ability to develop and execute business strategies that drive profitable growth, portfolio performance, market expansion, and operational excellence.
• Strong understanding of underwriting governance, delegated authority frameworks, regulatory requirements, compliance standards, and enterprise risk management principles. 
• Exceptional business acumen with the ability to evaluate financial, operational, and market performance, identify emerging opportunities, and translate insights into strategic actions and business results.
• Advanced leadership capabilities, including talent development, succession planning, coaching, and building high-performing teams while fostering technical expertise and organizational capability.
• Outstanding communication, influencing, and relationship management skills with the ability to build credibility and drive alignment across senior leadership teams, global business partners, brokers, customers, and other key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, innovation, and digital transformation initiatives, including the adoption of AI and data-driven capabilities to enhance underwriting effectiveness, decision-making, customer experience, and business performance.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, Insurance, or a related discipline required; Master's degree and/or CFA, CIP, FCIP, CRM, or equivalent industry designation preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive insurance and underwriting leadership experience, including accountability for business performance, portfolio strategy, and profitable growth. 
• Demonstrated success leading specialty insurance businesses, multiple product lines, or complex portfolios with national scope and significant financial responsibility.
• Proven track record of developing and executing growth strategies, building strong broker and customer relationships, and delivering sustainable business results.
• Experience leading high-performing teams and leaders within a matrixed, global, or multinational environment, with a focus on talent development, organizational capability, and succession planning

Our total rewards philosophy reflects our commitment to building a high-performing, inclusive culture where every team member is empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive. We value the unique strengths and perspectives each individual brings to our business, our clients, and our communities. Please note that this posting is for an existing vacancy.

At CNA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants based on job-related qualifications and ability to perform a job. If you require an accommodation during the hiring process or upon hire, please inform Human Resources. If a selected applicant requests accommodation during the recruitment process, CNA will consult with the applicant in order to provide suitable accommodation that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs.