Corporate Development Program Director

THE EMPIRE LIFE INS. CO• Remote, CA,

16h•Remote

About The Position

The Corporate Development Program Director serves as the strategic execution arm for the Corporate Development team. The primary purpose of this role is to operationalize growth initiatives, manage the complexity of multi-entity acquisitions, and ensure that all subsidiaries remain aligned and supported. This role is responsible for managing the acquisitions and ensuring that all subsidiaries remain aligned and supported. Serving as the strategic execution lead, this role is responsible for translating high-level growth initiatives into actionable, governed, and highly efficient programs. The incumbent is guided by defined goals and objectives and works under the general supervision of the Vice President, Operations, Corporate Development. The Program Director will participate in the wider PMO leadership team and be responsible for managing the PMO standards and metrics consistent with other Empire lines of business. Leading a team of project managers and business analysts, the incumbent is part of the Corporate Development management team.

Requirements

10+ years of project management experience (or similar experience) using different styles such as agile, waterfall, scrum approaches,and a proven track record of successful portfolio delivery within a complex corporate environment
In-depth understanding of stakeholder management, risk management, change management concepts, program and project planning concepts
Extensive knowledge and expertise in project, program and portfolio management methodologies and tools
Ability to effectively plan, coordinate and implement multiple and/or large programs in a high-pressure environment
Well-developed communication, negotiation, persuasion and presentation skills to influence at the highest levels of the organization
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships at all levels and demonstrate a high degree of tact and diplomacy
If you are applying for a position which is open to applicants across Canada, unless otherwise indicated in the position, language proficiency in English is required for communicating with customers, advisors, or employees across Canada.

Nice To Haves

Experience in insurance/financial services industry and/or M&A is an asset
PMP, Change Management, or related strategic project management certifications are an asset.

Responsibilities

Serve as the central command for the due diligence phase of multi-entity acquisitions. Establish acquisition folder structures, launch Virtual Data Rooms (VDRs), and manage secure access and permissions for internal team members and external advisors. Direct the cadence of the deal from initial exploration through to successful close and handover.
Drive project support requirements across functional areas (HR, IT, Finance, Legal, Compliance, Tax, etc..) to ensure alignment with the broader deal strategy, timelines, and diligence needs. Actively manage the Diligence Request Tracker, organizing files into appropriate folders, updating status dates, and ensuring that all data room entries are synchronized with the project's progress. Lead internal and external diligence stand-ups, executive steering committee briefings, and target-company management meetings. Act as the primary conduit between internal functional leaders (Legal, Finance, IT, HR, Compliance, Tax, etc..) and external advisors (legal counsel, investment bankers).
Maintain project control documents and partner with relationship owners to develop Diligence Kick-off materials. Draft, manage, and coordinate the execution of transaction documents, such as Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), utilizing e-signature platforms like DocuSign. Oversee the integrity of the Diligence Request Tracker and Virtual Data Rooms (VDRs). Ensure all transaction documents, compliance checkpoints, and risk escalations are managed swiftly and securely.
Lead, coach, and provide clear operational directives to the Corporate Development Program team and related teams. Foster a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Maintain, refine, and enforce the "Corporate Development Operational Framework," ensuring the team follows established M&A and initiative delivery methodologies while remaining agile enough to adapt to unique deal structures.
Drive consensus and remediate process deviations across the organization through clear, decisive communication (managing both up to the C-suite and laterally across department heads).
Contributes, develops and oversees the implementation of project and program management processes, methodologies, standards and deliverables including metrics (Product Delivery Process - PDP)
Ensures consistency in LOB portfolio tools and metrics with other LOBs
Direct all phases of internal system development projects designed to support Corporate Development, subsidiaries, and affiliates (e.g., portal automations, dashboard reporting, and VDR optimizations).
Strategically deploy internal and external IT/project resources to deliver technical enhancements on time and within budget.
Ensure the application of project and project management processes, methodologies, standards and deliverables are executed for every initiative and provide oversight and leadership to that effect.
Oversee project capitalization tracking, ensuring the accurate submission of Project Salary Transfer sheets and resource time-tracking across multiple concurrent initiatives.
Drive the quarterly compliance certification processes. Champion continuous improvement by conducting and actioning "lessons learned" throughout the acquisition lifecycle, adjusting processes, and ensuring post-close meetings and action items meet internal and regulatory standards.

Benefits

Hybrid work model
Competitive salary with annual pay increases
Annual bonus program, which recognizes both strong company performance and individual contributions, for non sales positions
Access to learning & development programs, and education/tuition reimbursement (role dependent), to support your professional growth and career advancement.
A comprehensive employer-funded benefits package starting from day one of employment, that includes life insurance, health and dental and a generous health account
Flexible work arrangements and an annual allotment of personal health days.
Four weeks annual vacation from hire date
A defined contribution pension plan with generous employer matching
Top up programs for parental leave and compassionate leave
Employer-sponsored wellness and recognition programs
A cash employee referral program