Sustainability & Transition Risk Underwriter

Sustainability & Transition Risk Underwriter Join Zurich Canada as a Sustainability & Transition Risk Underwriter. This hybrid role offers the chance to build expertise in sustainability and transition risk within a supportive environment that values collaboration, innovation and diversity. 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 in underwriting—particularly within sustainability or transition risk—and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you. Zurich Canada is seeking a sustainability subject matter expert with a robust background in underwriting. The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of engineering expertise and proven underwriting experience, complemented by strong project‑management and risk‑assessment capabilities. Your underwriting acumen will be instrumental in evaluating the risks associated with new technologies and infrastructure development, as well as in developing and implementing sustainability engagement plans. Reporting to the Chief Underwriting Officer, you will apply your underwriting knowledge to all aspects of the role, from risk assessment to stakeholder engagement. You should demonstrate an in‑depth understanding of financial governance across multiple jurisdictions and possess the ability to interpret and respond to human behavioural cues effectively. This is a unique opportunity for an underwriter to further build expertise in sustainability and transition risk, in a supportive environment where your voice matters. What you will do Support Zurich Canada underwriting community with subject‑matter expertise on ESG and sustainability aspects to help craft underwriting solutions for our customers. Lead the development and execution of sustainability strategies in collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders, leveraging your underwriting expertise to assess and manage risk. Oversee and manage sustainability‑related projects, ensuring timely and successful delivery, with a focus on underwriting implications and risk transfer. Conduct comprehensive risk assessments for new technologies, engineering advancements, and infrastructure projects. Effectively communicate technical risks and insights to underwriting teams and relevant stakeholders. Apply an evidence‑based, engineering‑first principles approach known as risk‑based assessment (RBA) to analyse and interpret risks. Understand and continually build knowledge on the latest in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Understand the fluidity of compliance requirements related to climate risk and ESG reporting standards, and its tie to transition risks. Adapt and apply RBA methodologies to transition planning, risk strategy development, and equity projection with underwriting best practices in mind. Facilitate intelligent risk transfer within insured‑insurer partnerships, drawing on your underwriting background. Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of industry changes, including climate, technology, economic, and societal shifts— with a focus on their underwriting impacts. Job Qualifications – What you bring to the table Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Finance, Risk Management, or a related discipline. Or Masters of Engineering (with Elite Certificate). Relevant professional memberships (such as the Institution of Civil Engineers), certifications, or advanced degrees are highly desirable. Minimum of 2 years of work experience in a relevant field. Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills. Emotional and situational intelligence. Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment. Preferred Qualifications Additional languages, with fluency in English. International work experience, not limited to financial services. Experience in International Organization or Private Equity. Current or prospective M. Eng student with qualifying work experience. Our Culture We are proud of our diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging (DIEB) initiatives and strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome. We value diverse thought, encourage collaboration and provide the tools that help you make an impact. We care about employee well‑being and offer a comprehensive health and benefits plan with varying levels of coverage to suit your needs. All employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year. Employees receive four personal days per year to use at their discretion. We are committed to continuous improvement and offer access to training and development opportunities. We care for our communities and give back through time and resources. We have received awards for our workplace culture, including the Insurance Business Canada’s 5‑Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award. 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 the risk‑management professionals’ first choice as their premier partner to help meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more at Zurich Canada is a leading global organization committed to fostering an inclusive, barrier‑free environment and providing ongoing career development opportunities. We encourage applicants who bring unique perspectives, creativity and expertise to support sustainable change and resilience. #J-18808-Ljbffr