Location:Dublin, IE
Company: Canada Life Group Services
Description:
Full Time Permanent position
Hybrid role based in our City Centre offices

ABOUT US

Canada Life Reinsurance (CLRe) is a division of Great-West Lifeco Inc. (Lifeco) and a leading provider of client focused reinsurance solutions in the United States, Europe and, more recently, Asia. CLRe offers a range of innovative risk and capital management solutions covering mortality, longevity, health, lapse and investment risk for insurers, reinsurers, and pension funds. CLRe is continuing to expand the reinsurance solutions it offers to new and existing clients in many global markets.
CLRe has offices in Dublin, Toronto, Philadelphia, Bermuda, Barbados, and Regina. We are comprised of approximately 390 reinsurance professionals, including 110 actuaries and trainee actuaries generating C$900M earnings per year.
At CLRe we offer a collaborative, open and friendly environment where high performance and hard work are recognised and rewarded. We have created an environment where diversity of thought and perspective is embraced and where everyone can bring their full selves to work and feel valued, respected and supported to reach their full potential.
Lifeco and its companies have approximately $2.8 trillion in consolidated assets under administration.
As a Company we are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and reach their full potential.
The company reserves the right to draw up a shortlist as part of the selection process. Where Agency assistance is required the Canada Life Recruitment Team will engage directly with suppliers. Unsolicited CVs / profiles supplied to Canada Life Reinsurance by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted for this role.
Canada Life Group Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer. We have created an environment of inclusion and growth to help people achieve their potential, to ensure they can bring their whole selves to work and to feel valued. We celebrate diversity of thought and perspective and want all of our employees to feel valued, respected and supported. We have built a culture that promotes equality and inclusion for all of our current and future employees and strive to ensure that our behaviours, processes and practices are aligned to this culture.
If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process please contact Lifecareers@irishlife.ie and we will be delighted to ensure you are fully supported to be your best.
CLGS supports Equal Opportunity and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are seeking an experienced, strategic and commercially minded Head of Legal to lead and manage the legal function of our reinsurance operations.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for providing legal advice across all areas of the business, managing legal risk and supporting strategic initiatives, transactions and corporate governance matters. The successful candidate will play a key role in advising the executive team and interfacing with regulators, clients, opposing counsel and other stakeholders.
As Head of Legal, you will have responsibility for leading a high-performing global team through the coordination of functional and business activities to support the delivery of Canada Life Reinsurance (CLRe)’s ambitions for revenue generation, operational effectiveness and talent management.
The role reports to the CEO of CLRe with dotted line reporting to the SVP Global Corporate Transactions.
This role requires a combination of strong leadership, business acumen and excellent analytical skills. The individual will have a growth mindset and strong emotional intelligence with the ability to adapt to changing priorities as they arise.
This is a permanent role and will involve international travel. The role may be based in Ireland, Canada or the U.S.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE / TO BE FOR SUCCESS IN THE ROLE

o Qualified solicitor or barrister
o Minimum of 15 yrs PQE working in financial services specifically life assurance, pensions or reinsurance market, ideally international experience (reinsurance experience preferred)
o Experience of M&A, structured financing and asset transactions
o Strong knowledge of financial services sector, PRA/FCA/CBI regimes and US reinsurance regulation
o Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with strong networking skills
o Experience in a senior leadership role dealing with clients and stakeholders
o Experience dealing with complex financial statements and/ or risk management on complex business
o Excellent analytical skills with the ability to process information quickly
o Experience in a regulated role and presenting at committee and Board level
o Experience of leading a complex and multi-functional team in a matrix environment
o Financial qualification beneficial
o Strong emotional intelligence and a high level of self-awareness
o Strategic thinker who welcomes diversity of thought and challenges the status quo
o Creative and pragmatic problem solver
o Acts with integrity and upholds the highest ethical standards, consistently demonstrating honesty, accountability, and sound judgment in decision-making and professional interactions.
o Displays tenacity and professional courage, consistently pushing through challenges, making tough decisions when needed, and standing up for what’s right—even in the face of resistance or uncertainty.
o Influential and forward-thinking, with a proven ability to drive positive, sustainable change across teams and functions.