Head of Legal

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

About Canada Life Reinsurance (CLRe)

Canada Life Reinsurance (CLRe) is a division of Great-West Lifeco Inc. (Lifeco) and a leading provider of client focused reinsurance solutions in the United States, Europe and, more recently, Asia. CLRe offers a range of innovative risk and capital management solutions covering mortality, longevity, health, lapse and investment risk for insurers, reinsurers, and pension funds. CLRe is continuing to expand the reinsurance solutions it offers to new and existing clients in many global markets.

CLRe has offices in Dublin, Toronto, Philadelphia, Bermuda, Barbados, and Regina. We are comprised of approximately 390 reinsurance professionals, including 110 actuaries and trainee actuaries generating C$900M earnings per year.

At CLRe we offer a collaborative, open and friendly environment where high performance and hard work are recognized and rewarded. We have created an environment where diversity of thought and perspective is embraced and where everyone can bring their full selves to work and feel valued, respected and supported to reach their full potential.

Lifeco and its companies have approximately $2.8 trillion in consolidated assets under administration.

Overview

• We are seeking an experienced, strategic and commercially minded Head of Legal to lead and manage the legal function of our reinsurance operations.
• This is a senior leadership role responsible for providing legal advice across all areas of the business, managing legal risk and supporting strategic initiatives, transactions and corporate governance matters. The successful candidate will play a key role in advising the executive team and interfacing with regulators, clients, opposing counsel and other stakeholders.
• As Head of Legal, you will have responsibility for leading a high-performing global team through the coordination of functional and business activities to support the delivery of CLRe’s ambitions for revenue generation, operational effectiveness and talent management.
• The role reports to the CEO of CLRe with dotted line reporting to the SVP Global Corporate Transactions.
• This role requires a combination of strong leadership, business acumen and excellent analytical skills. The individual will have a growth mindset and high emotional intelligence with the ability to adapt to changing priorities as they arise.
• This is a full-time role and will involve international travel.

What you will do:

Legal Leadership and Strategy

• Lead the team to fulfil the strategic mandate while providing legal guidance to the executive team
• Translate the business strategy and vision into tangible deliverables that are cascaded down to the team
• Advise on legal aspects of company strategy, operations, and risk management within reinsurance
• Act as a key legal advisor on reinsurance transactions, contracts and business development initiatives
• Maintain a strong, collaborative network across CLRe’s global operations
• Support process improvement initiatives across all locations

Contracting and Transactions

• Ensure contracts are written to preserve the rights of the company given the desired outcome of the pricing and marketing teams
• Work with legal and treaty staff to discuss any issues that arise regarding existing contracts
• Work with business development teams to develop new contracts based on terms agreed and prepare legal documents that properly bind the business intentions of the team

Legal and Compliance Team Leadership

• Ensure the company’s vision and values are communicated regularly and continue to guide the behaviors of the team
• Develop and enhance the operational effectiveness of the team with a focus on accountability and empowerment
• Manage the complexities of a hybrid office environment placing importance on effective leadership, communication, openness and in-person collaboration
• Oversee day to day operations of the team ensuring workload is distributed appropriately
• Ensure appropriate frameworks are in place to enhance the long-term sustainability of the function including succession planning and resource planning to meet the future needs of the business
• Develop, mentor and coach team members to reach their full potential
• Ensure that brilliant basics are in place in all facets of the business
• Challenge the status quo in the matrix environment and identify opportunities to streamline inefficiencies
• Manage performance management and bonus discussions with continuous two-way feedback
• Oversee any international opportunities to support strategic initiatives and business growth

Dispute Resolution

• Manage and resolve legal disputes, litigation, and arbitration
• Primary point of contact and advisor for any potential legal disputes arising within the company
• Coordinate with Claims, Underwriting and Finance departments regarding legal/compliance matters
• Lead and manage external counsel relationships and determine when external legal advice is required

Governance and Risk

• Support the Board of Directors and executive team on corporate governance and legal risk
• Oversee corporate secretarial matters, including board minutes, filings and statutory records
• Identify and manage legal risks across the business and develop risk mitigation strategies
• Promote a culture of compliance and ethical standards across the organization

Compliance

• Lead the Compliance Function for the Division in accordance with the compliance mandate
• Provide independent oversight of all Compliance activities through implementing, maintaining and overseeing the Regulatory Compliance Management (RCM) Framework in line with OSFI Guideline E-13
• Monitor and assess the effectiveness of Regulatory Compliance Management (RCM) controls across our operations
• Advise the senior leadership team and the Lifeco CCO on compliance matters, emerging issues, the effectiveness of controls and regulatory trends impacting the business
• Ensure compliance with relevant insurance, reinsurance, and financial regulatory frameworks (e.g. Solvency II, local insurance laws, sanctions, anti-bribery laws etc.)
• Offer guidance and constructive challenge to the business, promoting a strong risk culture
• Manage the relationship with regulators and ensure timely reporting and engagement as necessary
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with Lifeco’s compliance strategy and risk appetite
• Ensure all entities are properly licensed to enter all contracts - includes review and licensing of new jurisdictions
• Ensure all entity board meetings comply with internal and external governance processes
• Work with HR to respond to any compliance-related complaints (internal or external)

What you will bring:

• Minimum of 15 yrs PQE working in financial services specifically life assurance, pensions or reinsurance market, ideally international experience (reinsurance experience preferred)
• Experienced with M&A, structured financing, and asset transactions
• Senior leadership skills and experience dealing with clients and stakeholders
• Experience dealing with complex financial statements and/ or risk management on complex business
• Experience in a regulated role and presenting at committee and Board level
• Experience of leading a complex and multi-functional team in a matrix environment
• Must be licensed and in good standing to practice law
• Knowledge of insurance and reinsurance market and trends
• Knowledge and understanding of requirements of different stakeholders
• Awareness of legal and compliance trends
• A well-rounded understanding of the drivers of sustainable growth and success
• Strong knowledge of financial services sector, PRA/FCA/CBI regimes and US reinsurance regulation
• Strong leadership skills with a growth and agile mindset

What will set you apart:

• Financial qualification beneficial
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to process information quickly
• Disciplined and focused on accountability and delivery of results
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Technical mindset with a creative approach to problem solving
• Good networker

Location:
We have embraced a hybrid working model for most of our positions, which means that you can enjoy a balanced approach of working from our Blue Bell (Pennsylvania) office for part of the week (3 days) and working from home for the remainder of the week.

***Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time, including CPT/OPT.***

#PJLEGAL

What we offer you

We offer an array of diverse and inclusive benefits regardless of where you are in your career. We believe that providing our employees with the means to lead healthy balanced lives results in the best possible work performance.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement savings – 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
• Generous paid time off upon hire – including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
• Paid volunteer time — 16 hours per calendar year
• Leave of absence programs – including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) –  BRGs facilitate inclusion and collaboration across our business internally and throughout the communities where we live, work and play. BRGs are open to all.

Base Salary Range

$183,300.00 - $265,800.00

The salary range above shows the typical minimum to maximum base salary range for this position in the location listed. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation offered may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Equal opportunity employer •  Drug-free workplace

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. 

***For remote and hybrid positions you will be required to provide reliable high-speed internet with a wired connection as well as a place in your home to work with limited disruption. You must have reliable connectivity from an internet service provider that is fiber, cable or DSL internet. Other necessary computer equipment, will be provided. You may be required to work in the office if you do not have an adequate home work environment and the required internet connection.***

Job Posting End Date at 12:01 am on:

10-20-2025