VP, Construction Underwriting, Global Specialties - Canada

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 leadership experience in Construction Underwriting and want to join an organization that is at the forefront of delivering market‑leading insurance solutions, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Head of Construction to manage technical responsibility for the Construction Vertical throughout all segments. This position will be responsible for the breadth of portfolio management, and for balancing, coaching and leading technical underwriting aspects.

Reporting to the Head of Continental Europe and Canada Construction, you will be responsible for the Construction Vertical’s success in Canada.

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

• Lead an existing talented team of Construction Underwriters, leading by example and providing necessary coaching and training to develop their careers.
• Drive new business development and/or renewal business for a large region or a line of business utilizing the strength and depth of Zurich’s network.
• Underwrite and analyze new and renewal business within delegated authority levels.
• Administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws and regulations, and rating manual rules.
• Responsible for portfolio performance, which will include implementing action plans after reviewing agency books of business and profit/growth results and trends.
• Develop and maintain relationships with distributors (agents and brokers) in support of business retention and acquisition and work with customers and distributors (agents & brokers) to determine their insurance‑related needs and provide solutions and drive growth.
• Support the organization’s sales culture with brokers and customers.
• Assure development and implementation of policy, procedures and standards to produce profitable results.
• Work closely with the Head of Energy, Marine and Construction Canada Global Specialties and other key stakeholders across Zurich teams in regions.
• Establish and agree key performance targets and financial budgets for the underwriting unit in order to optimize business performance in line with set objectives.
• Lead the implementation of complex projects, typically as part of a major change or business improvement initiative involving multi‑disciplinary teams and timescales in excess of one year that impact underwriting.
• Educate and influence senior colleagues by demonstrating the impact of all relevant policies and governance processes to own area to ensure that the business is not exposed to undue risk.
• Review themes from complex analysis conducted by others to make informed, authoritative technical/professional recommendations to determine approaches to underwriting in own area in order to improve business performance in the medium and longer term.
• Develop processes and review policies relevant to underwriting in own area to ensure they are in line with strategic business objectives.
• Manage relationships with key internal stakeholders in order to identify opportunities for service improvement to ensure commercial viability and customer satisfaction.
• Participate in leadership team meetings of assigned area to provide specialist guidance and enable the implementation of policy, projects and change initiatives.
• Contribute to the business strategy within own area to align underwriting strategy with wider business goals within a particular market.
• Participate in the community of global/regional proposition development practitioners in underwriting to share best practice and continue to meet customers’ needs.
• Oversee development plans for underwriters across own area of business to ensure the capability exists to drive business results.
• Oversee design and implementation of rating tools and methodologies to deliver value to customers whilst being commercially viable for the organization.
• Business Travel, as required.

What you bring to the table

Bachelor’s Degree and 10 or more years of experience in the Underwriting, Market Facing, Broker, Carrier or Risk Management area within the Commercial Insurance industry.

OR

Bachelor’s Degree with 20 or more years of experience in Claims or Underwriting Support area within the Commercial Insurance industry.

AND

• Experience in a specialized line of business or segment.
• 2 or more years of people management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• ProCAR‑EAR experience required.
• Engineering degree a plus.
• Expertise in sustainable, renewable energy required.
• Both property and liability experience in construction required.
• Minimum 20 years of market experience.
• Minimum of 5 years people management experience, team building and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, local, regional, and global.
• Advanced knowledge and practice of line/s of business.
• Strategic planning and execution experience.
• Strong team building and organization skills.
• Strong verbal and written and communication skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Experience managing complex portfolios.
• Technical knowledge of insurance industry operations and processes.
• Knowledge in risk selection and strategic components of anticipating the market environment.
• Demonstrates strong presentation skills and a solutions and service orientation.
• CIP designation.
• International and reinsurance experience a plus.
• Nuclear energy experience a plus.

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.