Assistant Vice President – Programs, Canada

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital – a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance. We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture. As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry.

At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, civil union status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in the selection process.

Assistant Vice President, Programs

Hybrid Toronto

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Vice President (AVP), Programs, will lead the engagement of assigned programs, reporting directly to the Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO), Head of Casualty and Programs, Canada. The successful candidate will also evaluate and develop new program relationships to drive profitable growth in the Canadian Programs Division. Axis Capital's current Programs Division handles a wide range of industries and offers solutions across General Liability (GL), Property, Inland Marine, and Professional Lines.

We have ambitious growth goals across multiple fronts, and this candidate will play an integral role in our expansion. As the AVP, Programs, they will be responsible for the end-to-end management of specialized insurance programs. This includes developing and launching new programs, overseeing the performance of existing ones, and ensuring alignment with our strategic objectives.

The AVP, Programs will collaborate with key stakeholders, including Program Managers, Managing General Agents, and Delegated Underwriting Authority partners, to support complex specialty risks. They will also be tasked with analyzing data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to optimize program outcomes and contribute to our long-term success.

This role is crucial for driving our growth by ensuring that our insurance programs meet the needs of our target markets, adhere to industry standards, and deliver strong financial results. This position is based in Toronto and requires travel to industry and company events, as well as visits to Program Manager offices.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The Assistant Vice President of Programs will be a hands-on program leader with a proven track record of success within a top-tier commercial insurance carrier, or Delegated Underwriting Authority partner specializing in building and managing insurance programs across various industries and affinities. Ideal candidates should have experience working with Program Managers, Managing General Agents, or Delegated Underwriting Authority partners to support complex specialty risks.

Candidates must have a strong understanding of program lifecycle management, including initial vetting, onboarding, monitoring, optimization, and, if necessary, exit strategies. Comfort with analyzing data and KPIs is essential. Additionally, candidates should possess executive presence, with demonstrated success in communicating, influencing, and building strong relationships that enhance Axis’s business portfolio and contribute to long-term strategic initiatives.

WORK PROFILE

From our office in Toronto above Kelly’s Landing at 123 Front St. W, you'll remotely work two days a week, and be on-site for three days. Maintaining close ties with brokers and clients, as well as actively engaging in industry and company functions, will necessitate some travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Achieve overall financial goals for assigned programs, including profit, production, rate, and retention goals.
• Develop, implement, and monitor business plans for assigned programs that support Canadian objectives.
• Monitor and manage monthly KPIs to include renewal rates, rate target vs. achieved, retention rates, trends, and lost business to ensure achievement of the business plan.
• Maintain and manage underwriting guidelines and delegated authority levels. Ensure Program Managers compliance with granted authority levels, underwriting guidelines, and the terms of our applicable agreements.
• Manage account referral process to ensure timely reviews of accounts requiring referral underwriting. Utilize support from transactional underwriting units as necessary.
• Determine risk acceptability of exceptional accounts exceeding Program Managers authority levels.
• Identify and deliver the expansion of AXIS product offering with existing programs.
• Lead a cross-functional team of internal stakeholders through the new program due diligence process.
• Lead monthly business planning update meetings/conference calls with Program Managers on results and status of required or corrective actions and results.
• Lead annual and mid-year in-person stewardship meetings.
• Lead underwriting and compliance audits as assigned.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Program Managers via weekly communication, regular site visits, etc.
• Monitor loss activity and implement pricing/coverage modifications as required, partnering with AXIS Claims to identify trends.
• Manage Program Managers contract changes and amendments.
• Collaborate with Claims, Operations, CUOs office, Finance, Actuarial, Technology, and Ceded Reinsurance teams as necessary.
• Monitor premium payment and deductible collection in coordination with Operations.
• Maintain industry knowledge and market intelligence via continuing professional development, collaboration with internal stakeholders, and attending industry conferences and events.

WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE

• Minimum of 7+ years P & C insurance experience required.
• Direct experience in developing, implementing, and monitoring Program Managers, Managing General Agents, or Delegated Underwriting Authority partners.
• Background underwriting Liability, Property and/or Professional Lines.
• Prior experience managing Profit and Loss for P&C business with demonstrated technical and business acumen.
• Strong industry relationships with carriers and distributors.
• Must possess an in-depth financial understanding of programs business with the ability to develop financial projections and forecasts on existing and prospective clients.
• Must possess the ability to negotiate contracts, develop comprehensive business plans and establish sales proposals.
• Must possess knowledge of various functional areas within an insurance company and experience in interacting with these areas relative to support of the business.
• Extensive knowledge of insurance coverages, policy construction, rating, and advisory/rating organization products and services required.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with clients and internal support units, as well as senior/executive management.
• Ability to work with data to analyze results, identify trends, and support decision-making.
• Collaborator with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally.

WHAT WE PREFER YOU TO HAVE:

• Multi-line experience is a plus.
• CIP or other industry professional designation desired.