STEVE S. HALAJIAN, BA (ECON), CFP, CLU, CHFC, CHS, NQA

Toronto, ON, Canada 647-***-**** adt093@r.postjobfree.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES/INSURANCE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE

Specialized in: New Business Acquisition, Consulting, Program/Agency/People Management

10+ years’ experience of progressive and diverse leadership, Advisory and consulting roles, working with large Insurance/Financial Services organizations, affinity groups/associations, MGAs/Agencies, HNW clients; demonstrated credibility and proven track record of contributing to the development and execution of business development strategies; driving engagement, profitable growth, improved retention, operational efficiencies and superior service performance across multiple jurisdictions.

Strategic thought leader, working and collaborating with cross-functional teams, demonstrated success in driving new business and meeting/exceeding targets; passionate and authentic, proficient in building and nurturing productive relationships with diverse networks/groups and stakeholders, combined with excellent communication and presentation skills; extensive experience in researching market/industry trends, identifying opportunities for growing customer base, cross-selling, as well as development of strategic partners and markets; maximizing corporate objectives, while delivering exceptional customer experience, building brand awareness and ensuring compliance and best practices.

Open to relocation, travel, and/or remote work.

Skills & Qualifications

Strategic Planning & Program/Agency Management Coaching, Training & Best Practices People Management & KPI

Change Management & Innovation Relationship Management & Collaboration Business Development & Advisory Services

Professional Experience

Independent Consulting & Advisory Services – SH Insurance Consulting Toronto, ON 2017 – Present

Consulting Services & Account/Agency Management – Provided consulting and direction to implement insurance business development, sales and client management strategies to large affinity groups, MGAs; as an entrepreneur with high degree of business acumen, specialized in integrated insurance/financial sales and customer service management, technical case consultation, product comparisons and sharing market insights; identified opportunities for growth across business lines.

Financial Services Consultant – Sun Life Toronto, ON 2021 - 2022

Business Development, Sales & Client Relations – strong background in business development, client relations, and consultative sales/advisory, combined with knowledge of digital and hybrid distribution solutions, CRM/Salesforce and product offerings, systems, and regulatory requirements; collaborated with team members to drive future business activities, ensured best practices, quality advice and service metrics/KPIs are achieved, exceeding service expectations while meeting team/personal targets.

Senior Director, Insurance & Financial Services – Lawyers Financial/Canadian Bar Insurance Association (CBIA)/CBA Financial Services Corporation Toronto, ON 2015 – 2016

Strategic Initiatives, Product Development/Enhancement– As part of the CBIA’s strategic plan, in collaboration with senior leadership team, led the development for innovative and tailored insurance product offerings. Carried out market research and analysis, explored new ideas and solutions to meet clients’ needs; managed product development life cycle, negotiated and reviewed contracts, managed relationships with strategic partners and stakeholders, account managers/brokers/MGAs, actuaries/consultants; directed and successfully launched several segmented insurance products; improving the customer experience and increasing insurance sales through multiple channels, across Canada.

Positions at: Ontario Medical Association (OMA), OMA Insurance Agency Inc. (OMAI) Toronto, ON 2006 – 2015

Senior Director, Insurance & COO – OMA Insurance, OMA Insurance Agency 2009 – 2015

Business Development & Agency Management – As the primary lead for overseeing operations and growth of competitive suite of product development/enhancement and services, as well as all advisory related inquiries, across multiple distribution channels, markets, and provinces; led a diverse cross-functional team (30+) across several provinces, managed performance, developed and implemented effective growth strategies/initiatives, cross-selling, training programs and functional metrics to drive a best in class service standards; ensured effective tracking using technology, KPIs, sales tools/CRM, contributing to high levels of customer satisfaction; improved retention rates to +90%, customer response times by 15% and reduce sales cycle times 20%.

Team Building, Production & Agency Development - Recipient of GAMA Agency Builder Award for outstanding achievement in agency building, production and insurance sales field development in 3 consecutive years.

Senior Director, Insurance Business Development, Sales & Marketing - OMA, OMA Insurance Agency 2006 –2009

Strategic Planning, Building Partnerships & Operations- Developed and maintained excellent working relationships and rapport with stakeholders and strategic partners; negotiated and reviewed insurance contracts and product enhancements; launched OMA Insurance Agency across multiple jurisdictions; identified new distribution partners, channels and customer engagement. Accountable for achieving financial and client-related targets, developed and implemented a long-term growth strategy, leveraging deep understanding of insurance market trends, across multiple channels, significantly growing Life, Living Benefits and Health Insurance premiums from $61M/year to over $125M/year, in 5 years, well above targets.

Strategic Alliances & Distribution Channels – Provided strategic counsel to C-Suite Executives and BOD; played a pivotal role in negotiating and executing a strategic alliance with the CMA/MD Financial Management and 8 Provincial Medical Associations, across Canada. Established a “one stop shop”, across multiple channels, for physicians’ insurance, financial, and banking needs. Resulting in integrated customer experience, growth and improved retention.

Insurance Industry Engagement & Market Trends – Deep understanding of Life and Health Insurance market trends and customer needs; promoted organization’s mission and values; represented, attended and actively participated in major community, industry events, AGMs and conferences across North America (LIMRA/LOMA, LAMP, GAMA, Advocis); assisted with the planning and delivery of presentations, kept up to date on competitor offerings and landscape, provided feedback on product comparisons, current market trends and creative insurance products (including hybrid, bundled).

Consultant, Insurance & Estate Planning – MD Financial, Lancet Insurance Agency, CMA Toronto, ON 1999 – 2006

Consulting, Business Development & Client Service - Implemented transformational change, proactively promoted and prospected for new clients; provided advanced concepts, subject matter and technical expertise; ongoing training, coached and mentored advisory/service teams, ensuring team utilized consistent and effective approach to new acquisition, cross-sales and holistic financial services experience; meeting and/or exceeding targets consistently, qualified for the MDRT – 2001, 02 & 04, & 2006.

Insurance, Estate & Wealth Planning Consultant - Canada Trust/CT Financial Assurance I Toronto, ON 1997-1999

Generate Leads & Sales- Extensive experience in growth across business lines, cross-selling, as well as launching new products/solutions; cultivated strong relationships, provided case consultation to deliver integrated insurance strategies/ solutions, for both personal/corporate situations, translating complex wealth planning structures into solutions that meet client’s estate planning goals, ensuring an exemplary client experience, while meeting regional/team/personal targets.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Arts (BA, Economics) – York University – Toronto, ON

Life & A&D License (Active) Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS)

Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC) Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) Insurance Product Development Strategies (LIMRA)

Managing Virtual Teams Market-focused Strategy Innovation (LIMRA)

Coaching Skills for Leaders & Managers (GAMA) Designing Growth Strategies

Building High-Performance Teams The Advance Managers Course (Schulich School of Business)

Collaborative Leadership (Schulich School of Business) Marketing Management Certificate (Schulich School of Business)

Measure Salesforce Effectiveness (GAMA) Market-focused Strategy Innovation (LIMRA)

Active member of Advocis (Financial Advisors Association of Canada), The Institute (CLU), Gama International Canada (GAMA) & Financial Planning Standards Council (CFP), Canadian Investment Funds Course Certificate (IFSE Institute), and volunteer for Junior Achievement (JA) Canada (nonprofit organization), Prosper Canada

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