Group Product Manager

Position Title: Group Product Manager
Reports To: Director, Group Marketing
Department: Group Marketing
Term: Permanent Full-Time


Work Arrangements: This is a hybrid role. You will work in our office in Waterloo, ON a minimum of two (2) assigned, consecutive days every other week, plus a fifth (5th) assigned day per month. You are welcome to work from the office more than the minimum requirement and there may be some roles that are required to work in our office more than the minimum requirement.


The Opportunity: Equitable is growing! We are looking for a Group Product Manager to join our Group Marketing team!

This role involves developing competitive products aligned with growth, retention, and profitability goals. It also includes managing product life cycles to ensure products remain competitive and meet objectives, overseeing product development projects of various sizes, handling market research requirements for all divisional needs, and providing product support as a subject matter expert to internal stakeholders.

Now is an exciting time to join one of the Waterloo Area’s Top Employers for 2025 and Southwestern Ontario’s Top Employers for 2024!

What you will be doing:

• Develop competitive products that are aligned with Equitable’s growth, retention and profitability goals.

• Manage a stage gate process for product development initiatives. This includes:
• Monitoring industry trends, client needs and competitor offerings to identify competitive threats and opportunities;
• Generating product ideas and assessing the potential of those ideas;
• Recommending what product proposals should move forward to GLMT; and
• Developing business cases for new products or product enhancements.

• Manage product life cycles to ensure existing products remain competitive and continue to meet objectives for growth, retention and profitability.

• Monitor the performance of products against their stated objectives.
• Identify gaps or issues with existing product offerings and lead initiatives to implement product changes.
• Monitor changes in legislation, taxation, industry guidelines and provincial health care plans, and implement initiatives to implement any required product changes.
• Monitor competitor product offerings and evolving cus needs, and recommend strategies to counter competitive threats or to capitalize on industry gaps or opportunities.

• Manage product development projects of all sizes – from small product enhancements to large product launches  

• Manage cross-functional project teams to deliver on project objectives on time, in scope and on budget.
• Lead the design of new products.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive project plan (excluding the detailed IT work). 
• Ensure all stakeholders and tasks are aligned to achieve the desired outcome.

• Manage the market research requirements for all divisional needs.

• Research competitor offerings and group contracts.
• Conduct market research to better understand client needs and industry trends.
• Monitor changes in legislation, taxation, industry guidelines and provincial health care plans, and identify and communicate the impact of those changes on our products and clients.
• Establish and maintain a competitive intelligence process to ensure we are on top of emerging trends, competitor offerings and developments, and that internal stakeholders can easily access key industry information.

• Serve as a subject matter expert and provide product support to internal stakeholders.

• Provide front-line product support to the Group Offices and other internal departments.
• Respond to product-related questions from Sales, Underwriting and Claims.
• Liaise with partners and third-party providers to clarify product features and coverage.  
• Provide product expertise on project teams on behalf of the Group Marketing department, and provide advice and recommendations in support of those projects.
• Develop and provide training to internal audiences to support Group projects and product launches.
• Assist with content development for our Advisor, Plan Administrator and Plan Member eNews, ensuring we communicate trends or developments (e.g. legislative or tax changes) that impact our product offerings.

What you will bring:

• 5-10 years group insurance experience, including a strong technical knowledge of contracts / products and how key processes (underwriting, claims, administration) impact our product and service offering.
• Experience in product development is required.  Experience in underwriting, sales or claims is an asset.
• The ability to balance a strong market orientation with an understanding of risk management is required.
• Strong organization and prioritization skills.
• Demonstrated project management skills and experience with the ability to plan and execute multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write business cases and product specifications, as well as the ability to lead a team or peers and those more senior without direct line authority.
• Strong inter-personal and influencing skills with the ability to effectively lead initiatives, gain support and build consensus with stakeholders.
• Ability to develop, recommend and implement new products and product enhancements that meet business objectives.
• Innovative problem-solver with strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Ability to drive projects through to completion by collaborating with colleagues or working independently with little or no supervision.
• The ability to quickly understand the impact of industry trends and competitor developments and how they impact our product offering.
• University degree required. Industry designations an asset. MBA an asset.

What’s in it for you:

• A healthy work-life balance with employee wellness top of mind
• Annual bonus program, annual vacation allowance, and company-paid benefits program
• An additional paid volunteer day each year so you can spend time giving back to the community
• Immediate enrollment in the company’s pension program with employer matching
• Employee resource groups that support an inclusive work environment
• Tuition support and specialized program assistance
• An onsite full-service cafeteria with a variety of daily options
• Discounts on company products and services, and access to exclusive employee perks
• Regular EQ Together events focused on company togetherness and collaboration
  
  

As part of the recruitment/offer process you will be required to:

• Provide two professional references (minimum one supervisor and above)