Senior Manager Business Process Optimization

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

Position Summary: Join Canada Life as Senior Manager Business Process Optimization, Global Capabilities Centre in Bengaluru and lead a high impact team driving operational excellence for our India business. As a senior leader, you will shape the future of service delivery, champion transformation, and partner with global leaders to deliver mission critical operations in a dynamic, growth-focused environment.

The Senior Manager Business Process Optimization position is responsible for leading large, cross functional projects to achieve process optimization, innovation and operational efficiencies using Six Sigma & Lean tools & techniques. Projects include all phases of the lifecycle to solve complex organizational challenges through the following:

Process Assessment and Analysis: Clearly define and document current state of processes, propose ideal end goals, and actionable next steps around ambiguous and cross functional projects. Process Redesign and Optimization: leverage the latest technologies to re-design, obtain buy in for, and concisely present proposals to management (exec. ready presentations outlining key levers / drivers, resourcing, Return on Investment).

1. Strategic Thinking

• Ability to align COE objectives with organizational goals.

• Strong understanding of business processes and how to optimize them.

2. Leadership & People Management

• Leading cross-functional teams and influencing without direct authority.

• Coaching and mentoring team members to adopt best practices.

3. Domain Expertise

• Deep knowledge in the COE's focus area (e.g., Data Analytics, AI, Cloud, Process Automation).

• Awareness of industry trends and emerging technologies.

4. Change Management

• Driving adoption of new tools, processes, and standards.

• Managing resistance and ensuring smooth transitions.

5. Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to present complex ideas clearly to executives and technical teams.

6. Governance & Compliance

• Establishing frameworks, standards, and policies.

• Ensuring adherence to regulatory and organizational requirements.

7. Project & Program Management

• Strong skills in planning, prioritization, and execution.

• Familiarity with Agile or other delivery methodologies.

8. Analytical & Problem-Solving

• Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions.

• Identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement.

9. Collaboration & Networking

• Building relationships across departments.

• Acting as a bridge between business and technology teams.

Essential Functions:

• Independently lead large, complex, organization-wide projects for improvement, innovation and risk control.

• Create and execute plans to track efficiency / productivity / quality improvement goals and targets.

• Exercise initiative and judgment for addressing and resolving problems proactively.

• Conduct audit, and present findings and proposed solutions to operations and senior management.

• Provide inputs and drive recommendations for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.

• Prepare process map and analyze them for improvement opportunities.

• Perform business process redesign to meet organizational goals to drive digital transformation.

• Applies training and seasoned experience to independently resolve a variety of complex problems that have significant impact on cost or efficiency of business operations.

• Ability to facilitate and drive change in a fast-paced growth focused environment leveraging his/her/they strong interpersonal skills.

• Conduct End to End (E2E) process diagnosis to identify improvement opportunities across the business.

• Provide effective and actionable technical solutions and recommendations.

• Develop sustainable, repeatable and quantifiable business process improvements.

• Collect and analyze process data to initiate, develop and recommend business practices and procedures that focus on increased productivity, minimized risk and reduced cost.

• Determine how new technologies can support reengineering business processes.

• Builds and maintains effective working relationships to provide efficient, timely, customer service or client/project support and influences at the group level.

• Accountable for mentoring and assisting others, and can be relied on to troubleshoot problems.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the progress of operational transformation initiatives.

• Use data-driven insights to identify bottlenecks, trends, and opportunities for further improvement.

Education Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Science or Accounting, or equivalent industry experience .

• 5-8 years' experience leading projects, teams and/or initiatives in a technically and operationally complex business. 5+ years of successful leadership in executing continuous improvement/Lean/six sigma efforts and enabling efficiency, effectiveness and tangible financial benefit.

• Experience in banking, financial or insurance industry is a must.

• Certified Lean Six Sigma/ Six Sigma Black Belt preferred.

• Strong leadership ability and the desire to drive/lead projects through to completion.

• Excellent facilitation skills, with the ability to facilitate workshops, and the ability to drive and motivate teams including Senior Stakeholders

• Proficient in Microsoft Windows applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio, Project)

• Excellent written, verbal communication skills.

• Proven capability in developing and delivering PowerPoint presentations to various levels within an organization including executives.

• Project Management certification a plus.

Our Commitment: Canada Life is committed to diversity, inclusion, and employee development. We offer a collaborative environment where your ideas and leadership will help shape the future of our operations.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the job.  The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time.   You will be evaluated in part based on your performance of the responsibilities and/or tasks listed in this job description.   You may be required perform other duties that are not included on this job description.  The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.