Our client in the insurance space is looking for a Senior Program Manager on a contract basis to lead and oversee IT/technology implementation and transformation programs .

Location: mainly remote; hybrid Toronto (2 - 3 times per month)

Duration: 12 months

The Senior PM will ensure programs remain on schedule and within budget, providing governance, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration, including managing vendor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate complex technology programs , ensuring alignment with business goals and organizational strategies.
• Govern day-to-day activities across sub-projects to maintain timelines, budgets, and high-quality deliverables.
• Develop reporting mechanisms to track program status, risks, and performance metrics, enabling clear communication with stakeholders at all levels .
• Identify and mitigate risks , proactively addressing blockers and enabling consistent progress across teams and vendors.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Underwriting, Claims, Actuary, Operations, etc.) and external vendors to deliver high-impact results.
• Establish predictable delivery paths for large, complex initiatives and adapt to ambiguity, maintaining program stability.
• Communicate program goals, trade-offs, and priorities effectively to executive stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements throughout program execution.
• Champion best practices for project governance, including Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
• Provide leadership and mentorship , fostering collaboration and accountability among project teams.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience in program/project management , preferably within the insurance industry or related fields.
• Proven success managing large-scale, multi-stakeholder transformation programs , including IT/technology implementations.
• Industry-recognized certifications such as PMP, PgMP, Agile (PMI-ACP) are strongly preferred.
• Expertise in project governance, reporting, and risk management across diverse teams and vendors.
• Strong understanding of P&C insurance products, processes, and systems .
• Hands-on experience with Agile, Waterfall, or Hybrid project management methodologies.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, JIRA, Confluence, Smartsheet).
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and negotiation skills , with proven ability to influence C-suite executives and senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity , drive clarity, and deliver outcomes in challenging environments.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing program budgets and financial governance.