AVP, Data Science

Aviva • Toronto, ON

25d • Hybrid

About The Position

Experience Aviva Together, we are Aviva. Our values — Care, Commitment, Community, and Confidence — guide how we show up for each other and for our customers. Individually, they’re words. Together, they define who we are. At Aviva Canada, we put people first, our employees, our customers, and our communities. We’re proud of a culture built on care, inclusion, and collaboration, where your voice matters and your growth is supported. We’re not just about insurance; we’re about making a real difference by protecting what matters most. The Opportunity Within Aviva Canada, data and AI are shaping the future of Commercial Insurance. As Assistant Vice President, Data Science, you’ll play a pivotal role in how we price risk, unlock insights and make confident decisions that impact customers, brokers and the business at scale. You’ll lead a dedicated, multidisciplinary team and set the direction for advanced analytics and pricing models across our Commercial portfolio. This is an opportunity to influence strategy, champion innovation and turn complex data into practical solutions that matter.

Requirements

• A university degree in a STEM discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in data science, advanced analytics, actuarial science, or quantitative modelling roles.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience managing and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• Hands-on experience building, deploying, or overseeing pricing or predictive models.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, confidently, and with impact.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and influencing outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in insurance, pricing, or regulated environments.
• Exposure to AI-driven solutions and emerging data sources.
• A strong appreciation for model governance and risk awareness.
• Curiosity about design, usability, and how tools are experienced by end users.
• A leadership style that encourages growth, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Build, inspire, and lead a high-performing team of data scientists, developers, and actuaries.
• Set the vision and strategy for data science and sophisticated analytics within Commercial Pricing.
• Design and deliver pricing models and analytical tools that improve accuracy, segmentation, and performance.
• Guide work across the full model lifecycle, from development and validation to monitoring and enhancement.
• Partner closely with Pricing leaders to support confident, timely and data-informed decisions.
• Data champion for pricing and data science, driving efficient use of data and influencing enterprise data strategy.
• Balance innovation with execution, ensuring solutions are scalable, usable, and delivered with quality.
• Leverage automation, standardization, and AI to improve efficiency and ways of working.
• Collaborate across Underwriting, Operations, IT, and Enterprise Data teams.
• Translate complex analytics into clear insights for senior and executive leaders.

Benefits

• Compelling rewards package including base compensation, eligibility for annual bonus, retirement savings, share plan, health benefits, personal wellness, and volunteer opportunities.
• Hybrid flexible work model.
• Outstanding career development opportunities.
• We’ll support your professional development education.
• Competitive vacation package with the option to purchase 5 extra days off per year.
• Employee-driven programs focused on gender, LGBTQ+, origins, diversity, and inclusion.
• Corporate wellness programs to support our employees’ physical and mental health.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director