Underwriting Specialist, MGA

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 property underwriting and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for an Underwriting Specialist, MGA, Programs. As a Property and Casualty Subject Matter expert, you will provide technical underwriting and guidance to Program and MGA Underwriters to support the achievement of our business plan for profitable growth nationally.

Reporting to the Head of Programs & MGA, you will partner with leaders and underwriters to implement and monitor strategic and tactical initiatives to drive the growth of the portfolio to achieve business objectives. You will implement and communicate underwriting strategy, including guidelines, appetite, product, pricing, and process, employing best practices across all regions. 

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

•    Provide expert underwriting guidance to the Programs & MGA Business Unit for smart risk selection in support of business plans, proposition development, and learning and development initiatives.
•    Ensure underwriting rules and frameworks are adhered to, communicating to the business with timely updates, changes, and learnings.
•    Manage underwriting referrals for empowerment demonstrating expertise of Property & Casualty perils.
•    Identify trends to support improvements and action plans 
•    Drive the implementation underwriting strategy and guidelines, in line with technical standards, the Programs & MGA business strategy and best underwriting practices.
•    Continually assess risk appetite and product to ensure suitability, implement changes as needed.
•    Influence strong decision making based on primary data sources. Research data sources, including market and industry data, identify internal and external trends and developments, analyze key themes, and make recommendations to inform process, policy and/or product development. 
•    Assist UWs in drafting Delegation of Authority Guidelines and insure it complies with the BU’s strategy and overall Zurich guidelines
•    Act as the technical leader on the Program & MGA deal team, supporting onboarding of new opportunities with wording reviews, technical due diligence, review of T&Cs, portfolio fit and Head Office approvals 
•    Lead material preparation and technical presentations to ExCo as part of quarterly business review processes. Support new business decision group process as per same
•    Act as subject matter expert for wordings, coverages and underwriting guidelines
•    Develop a training plan for the UWs focusing on Guidelines, UW priorities, strategic orientations, etc., in collaboration with key stakeholders, learning and development.
•    Coordinate translation projects, budget and queries
•    Act as the Technical contact person for the BU and relay information to/from TUW teams (product designers and Technical Directors)
•    Operate in established Zurich Risk Policy, Global Underwriting Policy, and underwriting governance policies; operationalize the policies into guidelines and best practices.  
•    Address specific technical queries from external and internal customers, in line with the organization´s policies, processes and regulatory requirements.
•    Lead Audit and Due Diligence plan for Programs (SOP, DPR, MPRs, TUR, Spot Checks) and act as contact person for the Compliance and Governance teams
•    Contribute to the development of action plans and agreed upon action items
•    Participate in compliance-related queries, including regulatory reviews and as required. 
•    Act as lead and main contact person for any other audit involving the BU (OSFI, FSRA, Revenue Agencies, etc.)
•    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
•    Investigate, recommend, and deliver high quality, strategic technical solutions and ensure post-implementation project review.

Job Qualifications

What you bring to the table

•    Bachelor's Degree and 8 or more years of experience in the property underwriting area

    OR

•    High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the property underwriting area

    AND

•    Strong analytical and decision-making skills
•    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
•    Proven ability to lead projects and initiatives
•    Experience with compliance and regulatory requirements
•    Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to multi-task
•    FCIP or equivalent designation

Our Culture

•    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.

•    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

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 www.zurichcanada.com.