Bilingual Director Strategic Business Partnerships

Location: Montreal, QC

The total target compensation (TTC) range, including salary and target bonus, is $184,000 - $241,500 . This TTC range is applicable to permanent roles only. The actual base salary offered within this range will be determined by the successful candidate’s skills and experience, as well as internal equity.

Empire Life is looking to hire a Bilingual Director Strategic Business Partnerships to join our Corporate Development team! We are actively seeking candidates to fill a current, open position. The Director Strategic Business Partnerships plays a significant role in identifying, executing, and managing Empire Life’s strategic investments and the Corporate Development area’s strategy with its strategic partners to ensure that the strategy is aligned with market requirements in the achievement of revenue and profitability goals, specifically:

• Drive Growth: Expand the company's reach and capabilities through acquisitions, partnerships, or new ventures.
• Increase Profitability: Improve the company's financial performance through strategic initiatives and investments.
• Enhance Shareholder Value: Create value for the company's owners through sound strategic decisions.

What you’ll be working on

Sourcing & Opportunity Development

• Develop comprehensive opportunity assessments of potential acquisition targets, market trend analyses, and strategic fit evaluations for potential targets.
• Develop comprehensive opportunity assessments for strategic alliances with other companies to access new markets, technologies, or resources required to support Empire Life’s growth strategy.
• Apply a strong understanding of Empire’s strengths, interests and priorities to develop cross referral and new revenue source opportunity assessments within subsidiaries and strategic relationships (cross sell, adjacencies, equity, loans).
• Work closely with the Corporate Development Finance team to apply real-world business logic and market insights to financial models, ensuring stress-tests reflect realistic operational scenarios.
• Prepare formal Investment Recommendation Proposals and executive briefing materials for presentation to the Ad Hoc Acquisitions Committee and Board of Directors.

Closing & Transaction Leadership

• Collaborate with project management to facilitate the successful cross-functional due diligence (Tax, Finance, HR, Compliance, IT, Legal) processes. Ensure critical findings are documented and summarized for deal-structure adjustments or agreement inclusions.
• Function as Relationship Manager and Coach to the Strategic Partner or Acquisition target and their team through the due diligence and to ensure integration preparedness and success.
• Partner with the Corporate Development Operations team, to develop high-level transition blueprints for new partnerships or acquisitions, ensuring a seamless handoff to operational teams, incorporation of due diligence findings and the realization of identified synergies.

Management & Growth Optimization -

• Lead the development, coordination, and synthesis of content for the quarterly partnership review packages, focusing on financial KPIs, production targets, and strategic initiative status.
• Support the development of identification and implementation of synergies among distribution subsidiaries and affiliates as well as with manufacturing business (product areas and distribution) to drive profitable growth.
• Facilitate collaboration between internal Relationship Managers (RVPs/SVPs) and external Partners to identify and execute cross-referral strategies and product/service synergies.
• Cultivate and maintain deep relationships with internal lines of business and external stakeholders to identify growth opportunities and ensure alignment with the strategic roadmap.

What we’re looking for you to have

• 7–10 years of experience in Strategic Account Management, Wholesaling leadership, or Sales relationship building
• Proven ability to help strategic business partners and/or clients grow their business
• Proven ability to manage complex project timelines involving cross functional stakeholders.
• Exceptional relationship management skills to engage both internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional ability to build rapid rapport, manage complex conversations with finesse, and employ well-developed negotiation, persuasion, and presentation skills to communicate clearly with diverse internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to think logically, analyze information, and apply strong problem-solving skills to complex challenges.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, manage multiple client relationships simultaneously, and effectively manage high volume with strong time management skills.
• Proficiency in standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite) and CRM experience.
• Experience, current knowledge and understanding of the Canadian insurance industry and related distribution channels would be considered an asset
• English is required for communicating with English speaking customers, advisors, or employees across Canada.
• Bilingualism (English & French) is required.
• Our hiring process includes AI screening for keywords and minimum qualifications. Recruiters review all results.

Beyond the salary

For permanent full-time positions, Empire Life offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes:

• Hybrid work model
• Competitive salaries with annual pay increases
• Annual bonus program, which recognizes both strong company performance and individual contributions, for non sales positions
• Access to learning & development programs, and education/tuition reimbursement (role dependent), to support your professional growth and career advancement.
• Competitive uncapped commission, for sales positions
• A comprehensive employer-funded benefits package starting from day one of employment, that includes life insurance, health and dental and a generous health account
• Flexible work arrangements and an annual allotment of personal health days.
• Four weeks annual vacation from hire date
• A defined contribution pension plan with generous employer matching
• Top up programs for parental leave and compassionate leave
• Employer-sponsored wellness and recognition programs
• A cash employee referral program

To learn more about working at Empire Life, visit https://www.empire.ca/workatempire.

Get to know us

Empire life is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and welcome everyone to participate in our application process. We encourage those of all backgrounds and experiences to apply, even if you don't believe you meet each unique qualification outlined. Applicants will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

Empire Life welcomes applications from people with disabilities and disabled people. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the screening and selection process. If you need this job posting in an alternative format or have any accessibility questions, please contact recruitment@empire.ca.