Job ID: 10046

Employment Type: Existing Role

Working Business Language: English. This role is considered a head-office role and will be required to communicate with internal and external stakeholders across Canada where the primary business language for this role is English. As such, the successful candidate must be fully proficient in English.

Salary: At Wawanesa, salary is only one component of a holistic, comprehensive and competitive offering that we provide to our employees. In addition to salary, full-time and part-time permanent employees are eligible for an annual bonus plan, leave of absence top-up programs and provided with generous vacation time, personal days, premium free benefits and pension plan.

The salary offered for this role is determined with consideration to various factors, including but not limited to: your work location, local labour market conditions, external market salary data, internal pay equity and the knowledge, skills, experience and anticipated proficiency in the role. The salary offered is estimated to be within the following range: $80,000 - $100,000. Candidates with salary expectations outside of the range are still encouraged to apply.

About Us

At Wawanesa, we offer a hybrid work environment that offers flexibility to our employees in balancing in-office (2 days per week OR 15 hours per week in a Wawanesa office) and remote work. You may work from any of the following locations: Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB; Lethbridge, AB; Toronto (North York), ON; Kitchener.

The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company (“Wawanesa Mutual”), founded in 1896, is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, with over $3.5 billion in annual revenue and assets of $10 billion (CAD). Wawanesa Mutual, with its National Headquarters in Winnipeg, is the parent company of Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance products and services throughout Canada, and Western Financial Group, which distributes personal and business insurance across Canada. Wawanesa proudly serves more than 1.7 million members in Canada, and we are home to more than 3,300 employees distributed across the Canadian regions and communities where we operate. We give back to organizations that strengthen communities, donating more than $3.5 million annually to charitable organizations, including over $2 million annually in support of people on the front lines of climate change. We are also proud to be recognized as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers. To learn more visit wawanesa.com.

We are currently looking for dedicated, driven, and enthusiastic individuals who thrive in an environment that welcomes change and are looking for an opportunity for diverse experience and advancement on a growing team.

Job Overview

The Vendor Management Specialist is a pivotal role in supporting the Vendor Management team to develop, coach and performance manage the Preferred Provider Network (PPN) working towards our goals to achieve best in class results driving a high-performance culture. The Vendor Management Specialist is an agent of change and continuous improvement, challenging the status quo and thinking creatively to identify issues and resolve challenges and liaises between the PPN vendor and the claims operation. The Vendor Management Specialist contributes to Wawanesa’s goal of delivering an exceptional and consistent member experience through active coaching and guidance of local Preferred Provider Network (PPN) vendors.

Job Responsibilities

Directly or indirectly manages contracted spend of $10+ Million and responsible to identify and operationalize opportunities for improved expense / indemnity management. Through the Vendor Management team structure, provide coaching and guidance to local Preferred Provider Network vendors. Conduct technical reviews or analysis of services provided by PPN vendors for performance and program status. Utilizing available data, conduct and report on compliance with company standards and industry best practices. Manage and resolve claims related concerns or escalations. Prepares reports for Vendor Management regarding the performance of PPN providers or PPN Program. Perform vendor evaluations as assigned with capability to provide well written, descriptive reports as required to assist with claim resolution as required. Identify trends in service delivery behaviours by reviewing data and performing evaluations during any phase of the service cycle. Coaching for performance improvements based on identified trends and in adherence to the direction of Vendor Management. Performance manage and oversee suppliers on a program level aligned to service level agreements and organizational objectives. Participates or leads monthly operational performance reviews with PPN vendors. Participates or leads the management of a various vendor commodities. Assist or lead vendor activities related to Catastrophe (CAT) events and provide support as requested (remotely and/or in the field). Remain up to date with legislative changes, trends in the insurance industry, or relevant to supported line of business. Adherence to Wawanesa Gift & Gratuities policy and Vendor Governance Model. Travel (local and out of province) as required (up to 50% of the time). Flexible work schedule as needed to respond to CATs and member needs. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Proven ability to support and facilitate change initiatives, particularly those impacting vendor networks, service delivery models, or claims processes, while maintaining a positive and solutions-focused approach. Ability to quickly adopt and facilitate change in a positive environment. Demonstrates accountability, reliability, transparency and alignment with Wawanesa values. Effective and self-managed contributor driven to achieve targets, provides alternative solutions and positive mindset during adversity. Excellent communication skills both oral and written. Strong investigative and analytical skills, supported by effective negotiation skills. Detail oriented with a critical degree of accuracy regarding data entry. Agile and flexible to organize and/or shift priorities as needed in a fast-paced, changing and ambiguous environment. Ability to shift priorities or line of business within Vendor Management to support departmental objectives. Commitment to continuous/continuing education. Experience in legal sourcing, claims, or healthcare related fields is considered an asset, including backgrounds such as occupational therapy, kinesiology, or other casualty or medical disciplines Proficiency in MS Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint), with the ability to analyze data, support reporting, and present insights related to vendor performance and claim outcomes.

Diversity Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

At Wawanesa, we are committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) and believe that our strength lies in the diversity of our people – this is supported by having a representative workforce.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including racialized persons, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, gender-diverse and neurodiverse individuals, and anyone who can contribute to the further diversification of thought and ideas.

We aim to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all candidates. If you require accommodations during any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out in confidence to jobs@wawanesa.com.

All Wawanesa job applicants are subject to Wawanesa's Privacy Policy.

Please note that the recruitment process for this position may involve the use of AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants. All final decisions are taken or reviewed by human recruiters and human hiring leaders in compliance with all applicable legislation.