AVP Auto, Technical Underwriting

The Opportunity

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 experience working with Commercial Auto and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for an AVP Auto, Technical Underwriting to provide technical underwriting expertise and guidance to Business Units and Underwriters, acting independently and with minimal direction and as Subject Matter Expert in all aspects of a line of business (LoB) or product line, to enable achievement of business plan and the delivery of excellent customer service. 

Reporting to the Chief Underwriting Officer, you will take ownership of the Auto Insurance Platform and work closely with the technical underwriting team to deliver high-quality products and services.

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-

• Operationalize an underwriting business strategy through active engagement with internal and external stakeholders utilizing market and industry data to drive decision making.

• Lead the due diligence for auto on all programs and MGA business and be responsible for developing and conducting training for front line underwriters in line with Zurich's ambition to provide market leading underwriting education.

• Implement risk appetite changes based on relevant internal and external data.

• Contribute to the development of technical standards, controls and practices in line of business or product line.

• Working with cross-functional resources, actively drive the implementation of Underwriting strategies (e.g. Pricing), propositions, and solutions (e.g. product development, underwriting tools and processes) for a portfolio, line of business or product line.

• Monitor underwriting strategy relating to performance metrics, data and insights.

• Operate in established Zurich Risk Policy, Global Underwriting Policy and underwriting governance policies, and operationalize the policies into guidelines and best practices.

• Lead initiatives that have a high impact on the development of technical underwriting guidelines, and Best Practices, including controls and procedures.

• Lead various projects, aligning appropriate resources, setting project direction and engage work team with successful outcome.

• Provide expert technical underwriting guidance to Business Units Leaders and Underwriters in support of the achievement of business plans and proposition development, to find creative solutions.

• Handle complex queries and referrals within delegated authority.

• Assist with approval of terms and conditions and Line of Business-wide issues, enabling Underwriters to write profitable business.

• Provide guidance to lower level associates.

• Take a leading role in contributing to the development of business plans and pricing strategies and alignment of these with Business Unit Strategies.

• Lead key aspects of portfolio management, including analysis to monitor profitability and growth of specialty areas of business. Provide recommendations on aspects requiring change or remedial action.

• Monitor Technical Price accuracy and develops and implements solutions to enhance Technical Price.

• Drive continuous enhancements of pricing tools in adherence to Technical Price Certification requirements.

• Participate in Technical Underwriting Reviews, identifies trends, and contribute to the development of action plans and agreed upon action items.

• Participate in compliance-related queries, including regulatory exams and insurance department inquiries.

• Act as subject matter expert to develop underwriting technical training content.

• Ensure successful implementation of key technical initiatives by consulting with executives and other leaders to gain their commitment and improve their business effectiveness.

• Add value by identifying need to modify Strategic Business Unit/Shared Services Unit policies, programs or services and develop cost-effective proposals

• Diagnose and develop recommendations to solve complex, ambiguous problems.

• Investigate, recommend and deliver high quality, strategic technical solutions and ensure post-implementation project review.

• Plan for medium to long-term; develop and implement annual budget for area of responsibility.

What you bring to the table-

Job Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelors Degree and 8 or more years of experience in the Underwriting area.

OR

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the Underwriting area.

Preferred:

• CPCU

• Advanced knowledge of line/s of business and the legal and regulatory environment

• Strong listening, verbal and written communication skills

Our Culture

At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DEIB). 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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

We are committed to continuous improvement, and offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

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. 

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 

A future with Zurich

Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together. As part of a leading global organization, Zurich North America has over 148 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience. We are a leading provider of commercial property-casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals. Today, we serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology and insure 90% of the Fortune 500. Our growth strategy is not limited to our business. As an employer, Zurich strives to provide ongoing career development opportunities and foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging. Be a part of the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our people, our customers and the communities we serve.