
Chief Legal & Governance Officer
THE COMPANY
Portage Mutual Insurance (“PMI”) is a proudly 100% Canadian-owned company, established in 1884 upon the principles of security, integrity, hard work, and personalized service. Over the years, PMI has continued to grow and has built a reputation as one of the most responsive property and casualty (P&C) insurers in Canada. And, the principles that guide the company, and the friendly, small town style of doing business, remain the same. PMI offers a wide range of insurance products that, in many cases, have helped set the industry standards for residential, automobile, commercial, and agricultural business coverage. Serving over 167,000 policyholders and taking pride in giving thoughtful, personalized service on each each and every claim, earns PMI’s top ratings for claims service. The company’s products are marketed through over 295 independent insurance brokers and more than 700 points of distribution. This reflects a partnership approach which aims to deliver better service and value to policyholders. The combination of PMI’s logo and tagline Facing the storm with you is an apt metaphor to describe a company whose purpose is to take on risk and protect people.
Vision : To be the most trusted mutual insurer in Canada
Our Vision is to achieve sustained, strategic growth enabled by our investments in people and an agile culture. Our trusted partnerships with brokers, pricing excellence, and customer driven innovation will make us the insurer of choice in our markets. We will remain committed to brokers and committed to our communities.
Mission : To provide peace of mind
Portage Mutual Insurance provides quality insurance products and services with exceptional value, powered by passionate people. Our mission is protection and peace of mind for policyholders - promises we keep in partnership with brokers.
Values:
THE OPPORTUNITY
PMI is seeking an experienced Chief Legal and Governance Officer (“CLGO”) to join their Senior Leadership Team. This newly created role reports operationally to the Board Chair and administratively to the CEO, serves as an Officer of the company and is a trusted advisor to the Board of Directors, Board Chair, Board Committees and their respective committee Chairs on corporate governance and legal matters.
Additionally, the CLGO functions as a key operational resource to the Board, President & CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and the company as a whole, in providing independent and objective professional governance and legal advice to the organization and any subsidiary companies.
The CLGO provides practical, solutions-oriented counsel on corporate initiatives, transactions, and governance matters. This role also oversees legal risk mitigation, policy stewardship, and ethical practices, embedding a strong compliance culture throughout the organization; ensuring governance and legal considerations enable, rather than constrain, strategic innovation. While not directly responsible for enterprise risk management, the CLGO ensures governance structures reinforce resilience, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder trust.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Chief Compliance Officer and Regulatory and Compliance Management: Oversee compliance with insurance legislation, corporate disclosure requirements, privacy laws, and other applicable regulatory frameworks. Ensure timely filings and maintain strong relationships with regulators.
Corporate Secretary : Act as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors and its committees and provide regulatory and governance expertise ensuring effective Board operations, high-quality materials, accurate records, and compliance with fiduciary and disclosure obligations.
Legal Oversight and Chief Privacy Officer : Provide strategic and operational legal counsel on corporate, regulatory, contractual, employment, and litigation matters, ensuring PMI operates within applicable laws and
regulations.
Corporate Governance Leadership : Maintain strong governance frameworks, practices, and documentation that meet regulatory standards and support effective decision-making at the Board and executive levels.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will possess the following experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills,
and attributes:
TRAVEL
The successful candidate will be required to travel to Manitoba approximately six times/year.
ACCOMMODATION
To better serve the diversity of its community, Portage Mutual Insurance is dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for both clients and staff, and to the representation and hiring of all ethnicities, races, sexual/gender identities, cultural backgrounds, abilities, and beliefs. Portage Mutual Insurance is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for everyone who enters its premises, accesses its information, or uses its services. Should you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the hiring process, please communicate your needs to the LHH Knightsbridge project team.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Lindsay Millard, Senior Consultant lindsay.millard@lhhknightsbridge.com 416.928.4558
About LHH Knightsbridge –