Head of Underwriting

Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world? Look no further than Zurich Canada.

If you have leadership experience in Middle Market Underwriting and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Head of Underwriting, Middle Markets. Reporting to the Head of Middle Markets, this leadership role is critical to driving our P&C underwriting strategy, ensuring robust risk assessment, while fostering a high-performing team. The ideal candidate will possess a blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and engaging leadership.

This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience for the future in a supportive environment where your voice matters.

This is a hybrid work opportunity.

What you will do

1. Develop and implement underwriting strategies, product improvement and propositions aligned with overarching business strategy and market trends.
2. Lead key aspects of portfolio management, including profitability, pricing and growth analysis.
3. Conduct regular market analysis to identify emerging risks and opportunities within the middle market segment.
4. Assess underwriting strategy relating to performance metrics, data and insights. Regularly review and adjust the portfolio based on market trends, loss trends, emerging risks, and performance metrics to maintain a profitable and sustainable underwriting portfolio.
5. Drive the implementation of underwriting strategy and guidelines, in line with technical standards, Middle Market business strategy and best underwriting practices.
6. Utilize advanced analytics and historical data, and scenario planning to make informed underwriting decisions and support customer-centric solutions.
7. Lead initiatives to develop underwriting guidelines, best practices, controls and procedures. Operate within established Zurich Risk Policy, Global Underwriting Policy and underwriting governance policies, establish Middle Market guidelines and playbooks where necessary and operationalize these into best practices.
8. Provide expert underwriting guidance to leaders, underwriters, customers.
9. Play a leading role in contributing to pricing strategies and business development plans.
10. Assess and enhance pricing accuracy and drive continuous improvements of pricing tools.
11. Monitor risk appetite consistently for early signals. Implement risk appetite changes based on relevant internal and external data.
12. Lead and mentor the underwriting team, promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
13. Address compliance related queries and referrals.
14. Foster strong relationships with brokers and stakeholders, to deliver exceptional service and tailored solutions.
15. Drive innovation in underwriting practices using technology and data analytics.
16. Collaborate with pricing actuary on pricing models; drive timely reviews for enhancements.
17. Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders (eg claims, actuary, risk engineering, brokers, reinsurers) providing insights and updates on performance and strategy.
18. Lead and participate in technical underwriting reviews, identify trends, and develop actions plans.
19. Participate in compliance-related queries, including regulatory reviews and insurance department inquiries, as required.
20. Champion ethical behavior and corporate responsibility within the underwriting function.

What you bring to the table

1. Minimum 10 years’ P&C commercial insurance experience within the middle market segment, demonstrating strong technical underwriting.
2. Experience managing a risk portfolio.
3. Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
4. Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
5. Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards.
6. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
7. Ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team.

Leadership Profile: Strategic Vision

1. Demonstrates deep understanding of the Canadian middle market segment including trends, challenges, and opportunities.
2. Develops and executes underwriting strategies aligned with long-term business objectives.
3. Encourages innovative approaches to underwriting, leveraging technology and data analytics to improve decision-making and efficiency.

Portfolio Management and Technical Expertise

1. Possesses extensive experience in P&C underwriting with a strong grasp of risk assessment, pricing, and portfolio management.
2. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data to make informed decisions.
3. Demonstrates effective portfolio management to optimize outcomes for a diversified portfolio.
4. Understands regulatory and compliance requirements affecting the underwriting process.

Leadership and Team Management

1. Inspires and motivates the Technical Underwriting team to achieve high performance.
2. Acts as a mentor and coach, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
3. Promotes a collaborative environment, within team and across functions to ensure shared learnings and cohesive operation.

Customer-Centric Approach

1. Builds and maintains strong relationships with key broker partners.
2. Ensures the Technical Underwriting team delivers exceptional service, tailored solutions, and responsive support to meet client needs.
3. Advocates for process improvements and efficiencies, driving initiatives that enhance the underwriting function.

Communication Skills

1. Communicates complex technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
2. Engages with senior leadership, executives and external stakeholders to provide insights and updates on underwriting performance and strategy.

Our Culture

1. At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB). We want you to bring your whole self to work, and we want our employees to be reflective of the communities in which we live and work. Our DIEB initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.
2. We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is valued. We value your input and strive to give our employees the tools they need to make an impact.
3. We care about our employees’ well-being and offer a comprehensive health/benefits plan with varying levels of coverage to suit your specific needs and a competitive total compensation package.
4. We understand how important it is to rest, recharge and do the things you love. At Zurich, all employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year to do just that.
5. We also understand that employees require time off for personal reasons. Maybe you have an appointment during a workday, a cultural or religious holiday you would like to observe, or you need time off to focus on your mental health. Zurich employees receive four personal days per year to be used at their discretion.
6. We are committed to continuous improvement, and offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.
7. We care about our communities. Our communities are where our customers, people, and shareholders live and work. While we can be proud of the contribution to society Zurich makes through our core business of insurance, we must also give back to our communities through our talent, time and resources.
8. We have won numerous awards for our workplace culture. We are proud to be one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and to have received Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.

Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.

About Us

Zurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a multi-line insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide serving customers in global and local markets. Zurich Canada has been a leading insurance provider serving mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in the Canadian commercial market for 100 years. With over 500 employees in offices across the country, Zurich offers the global strength of a top insurance provider combined with in-depth knowledge of industries and local markets. Zurich Canada aspires to be risk management professionals’ first choice as their premier partner to help meet the risk challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more at

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