Underwriting Specialist, Middle Market Toronto

**Job Summary**:
Zurich Canada’s Middle Market business is growing To support our growth, we are seeking experienced Underwriters who will be accountable for profitably growing our Commercial Property & Casualty book of business across each of our Regions.

In this market facing commercial underwriting role, you will be responsible for creating strong broker relationships with the aim to provide meaningful customer service and strong commercial insurance solutions.

Through development of strong broker relationships, you will thoughtfully underwrite new and renewal business while actively engaging in the marketplace to enhance the Zurich Canada brand. You will shape your portfolio of accounts within the broader Middle Market strategy as you utilize The Zurich Way of Underwriting, working within your delegated authority to ensure a high level of accountability and equally high level of service to customers.

As our Middle Market Business Unit continues to grow, your personal learning and development opportunities will also grow, as you develop your Underwriting and Portfolio Optimization skills while contributing to Zurich Canada’s results.

**Job Qualifications**:
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 6 or more years of experience in Commercial Underwriting or Market Facing area.

OR
- High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the Claims

AND
- Knowledge of lines of business and the legal and regulatory guidelines
- Knowledge of the insurance industry and the legal and regulatory environment
- Knowledge of underwriting philosophy, techniques, pricing and guideline requirements
- Experience working on time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
- Experience working in a team environment

**Preferred Qualifications**:

- Bachelors’ Degree with minimum 5 years’ experience in commercial P and C underwriting area
- Strong negotiation skills
- Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
- Microsoft Office skills

**Job Accountabilities - Key Accountabilities**:

- The Underwriting Specialist is responsible for:
- Serving as an advocate of Middle Market value proposition with a focus on improving the customer experience by understanding our customer’s risks and offering the best end to end solution for their insurance needs.
- Developing and nurturing broker networks related to mid market customer with focus on target industries as outlined in business strategy
- Making broker calls with a planned and well-prepared purpose focused on promoting our products and services to increase penetration
- Identify opportunities through local relationships, proactively seeking renewal and new account opportunities adding to the growth and profitability of our Middle Market portfolio
- Using a disciplined approach to exposure evaluation, risk assessment and pricing:

- Qualifying accounts that align with business strategy and the organization's appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity.
- Measuring exposure and analyzing opportunities to provide appropriate coverage aligned with organization´s risk and compliance processes.- Using risk insights and analytical tools to drive informed decisions at point of sale.- Working within limits and delegated authorities, in conjunction with adherence to underwriting rules and guidelines, compliance protocols and insurance regulations
- Up-selling additional coverages associated with the Middle Market product suite (eg Z-Guard) for most comprehensive package solution
- Cross-selling other lines of business to increase product density with the account for most comprehensive Zurich solution
- Understanding customer needs, challenges and market dynamics to initiate middle market product solutions for development
- Shaping individual portfolio per business strategy, demonstrating key aspects of portfolio management in consideration of performance metrics, data and insights with aim to improve portfolio, driving diversified growth
- Communicate with Actuary to provide feedback on pricing; to ensure viable enhancements to Model Price
- Ensuring strong partnership with UAs within the Underwriting Services team to ensure proactive engagement with brokers and best-in-industry customer service focused on timeliness and accuracy of quotes, policy issuance and premium booking.
- Honing individual skill set and product knowledge, to become a trusted advisor to middle market brokers and customers, demonstrating strength as underwriting specialist.
- Mentorship of less experienced underwriters

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 ra