Associate Director, Product Improvement & Analysis

Why you’ll love working here:

• high-performance, people-focused culture

• our commitment that equity, diversity, and inclusion are fundamental to our work environment and business success, which helps employees feel valued and empowered to be their authentic selves

• learning and development initiatives, including workshops, Speaker Series events and access to LinkedIn Learning, that support employees’ career growth

• membership in HOOPP’s world class defined benefit pension plan, which can serve as an important part of your retirement security

• competitive, 100% company-paid extended health and dental benefits for permanent employees, including coverage supporting our team's diversity and mental health (e.g., gender affirmation, fertility and drug treatment, psychological support benefits of $2,500 per year, parental leave top-up, and a health spending account).

• optional post-retirement health and dental benefits subsidized at 50%

• yoga classes, meditation workshops, nutritional consultations, and wellness seminars

• the opportunity to make a difference and help take care of those who care for us, by providing a financially secure retirement for Ontario healthcare workers

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Product Improvement and Analysis is a key player in optimizing product operations, enhancing efficiency, and driving positive change within Plan Operations. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Portfolio Management, this role ensures efficient resource allocation, risk mitigation, and successful implementation outcomes. The Associate Director plays a crucial role in resource management and allocation for various projects initiatives within the division, and for promoting teamwork and ongoing enhancement,in order to deliver on the pension commitment. Responsibilities include overseeing a team dedicated to business analysis, process improvement, data analysis, and continuous enhancements. Additionally, the role provides coaching, guidance and oversight of the professional development and deliverables produced by the members of the team.

What you will do:

Resource Management & Project Support:

• Lead and manage a team of shared resources comprised of Product Improvement Leads and Business Analysts

• Assign shared resources to projects, and continuous improvement efforts, based on business priorities

• Maintain an intake of new work, backlog of work, and progress of work in flight and actively manage resources to ensure optimal utilization of resources across various initiatives.

• Collaborate with project managers and stakeholders to align resources with project needs

• Provide coaching and guidance to Product Improvement Leads and Business Analysts during project planning, execution, and delivery.

• Monitor progress, identify risks, and address resource constraints.

Leadership and Team Management:

• Assist in creating a framework for allocating resources by directing and overseeing a collective team of Product Improvement Leads and Business Analysts.

• Foster a collaborative and high-performing, results-driven work environment within the team

• Work closely with cross-functional teams in Plan Operations and across the organization including Marketing, IT, and Finance

• Collaborate on projects, product development, and process enhancements.

• Provide coaching, direction and oversight to the deliverables produced by the team.

• Set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for product improvement initiatives.

• Track progress and measure the effectiveness of process enhancements.

• Regularly update stakeholders on improvement outcomes.

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and performance feedback to team members.

• Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide ongoing feedback.

Continuous Improvement and Risk Management:

• Lead efforts related to the pension administration platform’s continuous improvement, including the business readiness and communications related to the minor enhancements and platform upgrades.

• Drive process enhancements, data analysis, and system optimization.

• Implement best practices and ensure adherence to industry standards.

• Develop and maintain frameworks for baseline documents, intake of minor enhancements, and requests for analysis

• Identify areas for improvement within existing processes, systems, and procedures.

• Develop strategies and action plans to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize business processes

• Collaborate with departmental leaders to address root causes of issues and implement solutions.

• Monitoring of all baseline product and risk/control documentation, to ensure is is kept evergreen as product improvements and changes are implemented.

• Mitigate risks related to resource allocation and project delivery.

What you bring:

• 5 - 7 years experience managing, coaching and motivating a team of professionals to leverage their capabilities and drive team results in the delivery of continuous improvements and projects.

• Minimum 3 years in resource management and ability to track resource assignments and delivery of business results against KPIs.

• Minimum 5 years of pension business experience, or other part of the financial environment, including banking, insurance, or business consulting. 

• Experience in project and business analysis delivery and being part of a team that delivers on project initiatives.

• Skilled at developing strong, authentic relationships with partners and stakeholders to collaborate and effectively manage competing priorities and ensuring alignment with business strategic objectives.

• Proven ability to use critical, rational, and logical thinking to problem solve and meet key business outcomes.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

• Excellent time-management skills, specifically in project management with an ability to delegate and influence key stakeholders.

• Proven communication and negotiation skills

• Team leadership, experience managing people and conflict resolution skills working collaboratively within cross-functional work settings.

• Results-oriented and able to lead teams that deliver on business outcomes.

• Ability to influence and negotiate up, down and across to successfully adapt to changes that impact the needs of the business.

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with all levels of internal stakeholders

• Analytical mindset with the ability to solve complex problems.

• Strong understanding of technology and data since the HOOPP service model is predicated on using technology as the primary support mechanism for delivering personal service, value, and education to members and employers

• A proven problem solver who can connect operational, process and technology aspects together to assist in developing effective solutions

• Ability to lead a team and provide guidance and coaching to support the development of product improvement initiatives & analysis.

• Experience with Canadian pension plans and pension administration is an asset.

• Former business consulting and business analysis experience an asset.

• Exposure to risk management and process enhancements is beneficial.