Project Management Apprentice Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world? Look no further than Zurich Canada.  

If you have experience as a PMO Leader, managing governance, portfolios & projects, business & technology integration, and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.  

Zurich Canada is currently looking for an Assistant Vice President, Head of Project Management Office (AVP, Head of PMO) who will be a pragmatic project leader who can challenge constructively, influence senior stakeholders, and drive better outcomes for the business, customers, and colleagues.

Reporting to the VP, Transformation Office, you will lead Zurich Canada's Project Management Office and help turn strategic priorities into a disciplined project lifecycle with measurable delivery. You will provide portfolio oversight, governance, and execution discipline across business and technology initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience for the future in a supportive environment where your voice matters. This posting is for a new vacancy. 

Zurich Canada uses artificial intelligence-enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process, including the initial review and screening of applications. Artificial intelligence is not the sole basis for candidate shortlisting or selection. All hiring decisions are reviewed and made by qualified hiring professionals.

Zurich follows a hybrid work model requiring three days per week of in-person presence, which may include time in the office or market-facing engagements.

PMO Leadership and Governance
   Lead Zurich Canada's PMO, setting standards, methods, and best practices for project and program delivery
   Maintain governance frameworks that drive consistency, quality, and disciplined execution across the portfolio
   Oversee intake, prioritization, resourcing, documentation, and reporting in line with strategic priorities, budget, and audit standards

Portfolio and Project Oversight
   Provide independent challenge on business cases, plans, risks, issues, dependencies, and go/no-go decisions
   Monitor portfolio performance, benefits realization, and progress against strategic goals using clear KPIs and dashboards
   Manage interdependencies, resolve escalations, and reduce duplication across initiatives

Business and Technology Integration
   Partner with business, transformation and IT leaders to translate strategic initiatives into prioritized projects with clear scope, workplans, budget, and implementation plans
   Facilitate forums with leaders and stakeholders across the business and technology that drive decisions, approvals and prioritization of the Zurich Canada project portfolio. 

Required:

   Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of experience in project management, strategic / operational consulting, or business transformation

OR

   High school diploma and 9+ years of experience in project management, strategic / operational consulting or business transformation

OR

   Zurich certified insurance apprentice (with Associate Degree) and 7+ years of experience in the areas above

AND

   A strong track record leading complex projects, programs, PMO functions, or transformation initiatives
   Strong project / program management experience, including governance, delivery discipline, risk management, benefits realization, and portfolio reporting 
   Proven ability to drive strategic and operational change, ideally in financial services or insurance
   Confident senior stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, challenge, and align diverse groups
   Clear executive communication skills, with the ability to distil complexity into practical decisions and actions
   Strong analytical judgement, pragmatic problem-solving, and comfort working across a matrixed environment

Preferred:

   Experience in claims, underwriting, or risk engineering
   PMP or equivalent certification 
   LEAN, Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience
   Experience with PPM tools, operating model change, organizational design, or large-scale transformation 

At Zurich Canada, we are committed to pay equity. We determine compensation based on objective criteria such as skills, experience, and internal equity. The salary range for this position is 120,000 - 170,000. This range reflects the expected pay for the role across Canada and may vary depending on factors like office location, specific responsibilities, and individual qualifications. As required by local law, Zurich provides in good faith a reasonable compensation range, but starting salaries may exceed this range based on a candidate's skills and experience.

   At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB). We want you to bring your whole self to work, and we want our employees to be reflective of the communities in which we live and work. Our DIEB initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome. 
We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is valued. We value your input and strive to give our employees the tools they need to make an impact.  
We care about our employees' well-being and offer a comprehensive health/benefits plan with varying levels of coverage to suit your specific needs and a competitive total compensation package. 
We understand how important it is to rest, recharge and do the things you love. At Zurich, all employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year to do just that. 
We also understand that employees require time off for personal reasons. Maybe you have an appointment during a workday, a cultural or religious holiday you would like to observe, or you need time off to focus on your mental health. Zurich employees receive four personal days per year to be used at their discretion.  
We are committed to continuous improvement and offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.  
We care about our communities. Our communities are where our customers, people, and shareholders live and work. While we can be proud of the contribution to society Zurich makes through our core business of insurance, we must also give back to our communities through our talent, time and resources. 
We have won numerous awards for our workplace culture. We are proud to be one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers and to have received Insurance Business Canada's 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.    

 
Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us. 

Zurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a multi-line insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide serving customers in global and local markets. Zurich Canada has been a leading insurance provider serving mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in the Canadian commercial market for 100 years. With over 650 employees in offices across the country, Zurich offers the global strength of a top insurance provider combined with in-depth knowledge of industries and local markets. Zurich Canada aspires to be risk management professionals' first choice as their premier partner to help meet the risk challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more at www.zurichcanada.com.