Senior Underwriter - Property

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 your best and thrive at one of the world's leading insurance providers? Look no further than Zurich Canada. 

Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Senior Underwriter, Property to analyze and underwrite new and renewal business of higher technical complexity while delivering exceptional service to customers and distribution partners.

Reporting to the VP, Property, you will apply The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework to evaluate risks, develop profitable business opportunities, and support brokers and customers with tailored insurance solutions. You will manage a diverse portfolio, contribute to growth initiatives, and play a key role in strengthening Zurich's market presence through strong broker relationships and sound underwriting judgment.

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

Zurich Canada uses artificial intelligence-enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process, including the initial review and screening of applications. Artificial intelligence is not the sole basis for candidate shortlisting or selection. All hiring decisions are reviewed and made by qualified hiring professionals.  

Zurich follows a hybrid work model requiring three days per week of in-person presence, which may include time in the office or market-facing engagements. 

What you will do

•    Underwrite and analyze new and renewal business utilizing The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework within delegated authority levels. 
•    Manage a profitable portfolio of commercial risks while balancing growth, retention, and profitability objectives. 
•    Evaluate complex risk exposures and develop creative underwriting solutions that meet customer needs while adhering to Zurich's underwriting appetite. 
•    Prepare quotations, structure coverage solutions, and negotiate terms and conditions with brokers and customers.
•    Administer and monitor underwriting rules, insurance laws and regulations, and rating guidelines. 
•    Assess risk information and leverage underwriting tools to support pricing and risk selection decisions. 
•    Establish and maintain strong relationships with brokers, agents, and customers across a variety of industries and market segments. 
•    Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of new business opportunities and support business retention initiatives. 
•    Conduct broker and customer meetings to identify growth opportunities and strengthen business relationships. 
•    Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Risk Engineering, Claims, Actuarial, Finance, Distribution, and other Lines of Business to support underwriting decisions and deliver customer solutions. 
•    Interpret risk engineering reports and incorporate recommendations into underwriting decisions. 
•    Maintain accurate risk and customer information in Zurich systems to ensure data integrity and support portfolio management. 
•    Serve as a trusted advisor to brokers and customers by providing technical underwriting expertise and market insights. 
•    Identify opportunities to increase product density by cross-selling Zurich products and services. 
•    Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentorship to less experienced underwriting team members. 
•    Participate in broker marketing presentations, sales meetings, and territory planning activities. 
•    Lead short-term projects and initiatives that support underwriting, operational, or customer experience improvements.

Job Qualifications - What you bring to the table

Basic:
•    High School Diploma or equivalent and 3 or more years of experience in Underwriting or a Market Facing role
OR
•    High School Diploma or equivalent and 6 or more years of experience in Claims or Underwriting Support
OR
•    Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice, including an Associate Degree, and 1 or more years of experience in Underwriting or a Market Facing role
OR
•    Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice, including an Associate Degree, and 4 or more years of experience in Claims or Underwriting Support
AND
•    Knowledge of underwriting principles, insurance products, and applicable legal and regulatory guidelines
•    Understanding of service-level expectations and turnaround times for new and renewal business
•    Strong analytical and decision-making skills
•    Experience using Microsoft Office applications
•    Ability to evaluate risk exposures and develop profitable solutions
•    Strong relationship management and negotiation skills

Preferred:
•    Bachelor's degree 
•    Minimum of 5 years previous experience with commercial property underwriting
•    Strong verbal and written communication skills 
•    Strong business acumen, relationship management, and negotiation skills 
•    Demonstrated ability to build and maintain broker and customer relationships 
•    Proven sales and business development mindset with the ability to identify growth opportunities and drive profitable results 
•    Experience managing complex commercial insurance accounts 
•    Experience collaborating across multiple business functions 
•    Professional insurance designation (CIP, FCIP, CRM, or equivalent) preferred
•    Fluency in both spoken and written French
•    Fluency in both spoken and written English is required to facilitate communication with internal and external stakeholders outside Quebec. 

At Zurich Canada, we are committed to pay equity. We determine compensation based on objective criteria such as skills, experience, and internal equity. The salary range for this position is $58,000 to $78,000. This range reflects the expected pay for the role across Canada and may vary depending on factors like office location, specific responsibilities, and individual qualifications. As required by local law, Zurich provides in good faith a reasonable compensation range, but starting salaries may exceed this range based on a candidate’s skills and experience.

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.  

Our Culture

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 900 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.