AVP, High Net Worth Underwriting Ops

Aviva plc; Markham; Hybrid; CAD 170,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Bonus eligible

Health benefits

Retirement savings plan

Share plan

Generous vacation

Job summary

Aviva Canada in Markham seeks an accomplished Assistant Vice President, High Net Worth to lead profitable growth and underwriting excellence for the HNW portfolio of 165M+ in assets. You will partner with Product, Distribution, Pricing, Analytics, Claims, Marketing, Technology, Finance and Operations to drive strategy, risk management, and superior client value.

You will shape the market position through tailored solutions and strong broker partnerships, oversee a high-performing team, and

Qualifications

• University degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive Property & Casualty insurance experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing underwriting teams and business performance.
• Strong understanding of Personal Insurance products, underwriting principles, portfolio management, and pricing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HNW business to achieve profitable growth, portfolio quality, retention, and market share objectives through underwriting discipline and operational excellence.
• Represent Aviva as a trusted leader within the High Net Worth with brokers and key partners.
• Provide leadership and oversight for underwriting performance, risk selection, pricing execution, and portfolio profitability.
• Collaborate with Product, Technical Underwriting, Claims, and Distribution to enhance client and broker experience.
• Develop and inspire a high-performing team with a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Education

University degree

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Position Overview Individually we are people, but together we are Aviva. Individually these are just words, but together they are our Values – Care, Commitment, Community, and Confidence. Based in Markham, the Assistant Vice President, High Net Worth reports to the Vice President, High Net Worth, Group Strategy, & Product Innovation. This role is accountable for the leadership, strategic direction, profitable growth, underwriting performance, and overall client value proposition of Aviva Canada's High Net Worth (HNW) portfolio. The AVP will operationalize and continuously evolve Aviva's HNW strategy, ensuring a differentiated market position through superior underwriting expertise, tailored solutions, risk management capabilities, exceptional service experiences, and strong broker partnerships. As the leader of a $165M+ portfolio with ambitious growth objectives, the AVP acts as the general manager of the business, balancing growth, risk selection, profitability, client experience, and operational excellence. The role requires close partnership with Product, Distribution, Pricing, Analytics, Claims, Marketing, Technology, Finance, and Operations to deliver sustainable growth and strengthen Aviva's position in the affluent and high-net-worth insurance market. The successful candidate will bring a deep understanding of the unique insurance needs of affluent clients, a passion for building differentiated propositions, and a proven ability to lead high-performing teams through growth and transformation.

Key Accountabilities

• Strategic Leadership & Growth · Lead the HNW business to achieve profitable growth, portfolio quality, retention, and market share objectives through underwriting discipline, operational excellence, workflow efficiency, and portfolio performance.
• Execute the HNW strategy and identify opportunities to strengthen Aviva's position in the high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth insurance market.
• Represent Aviva as a trusted leader within the High Net Worth with brokers and key partners.
• Portfolio & Underwriting Management · Provide leadership and oversight for underwriting performance, risk selection, pricing execution, and portfolio profitability.
• Leverage analytics and market insights to optimize business results, processes, and manage emerging risks.
• Customer Proposition & Innovation · Champion a differentiated value proposition for affluent customers through tailored products, exceptional service, and innovative solutions.
• Partner across Product, Technical Underwriting, Claims, and Distribution to continuously enhance the customer, strategic partner, and broker experience.
• Leadership & Business Performance · Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Deliver on financial, operational, regulatory, and customer outcomes while leading transformational initiatives that support long-term success.

Qualifications & Experience

• University degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive Property & Casualty insurance experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing underwriting teams and business performance.
• Strong understanding of Personal Insurance products, underwriting principles, portfolio management, and pricing.
• Demonstrated success delivering profitable growth in a competitive marketplace.
• Experience leading through influence within a complex, matrixed organization.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred

• High Net Worth, Private Client, Personal Lines Specialty, or Luxury Insurance experience.
• Experience spanning underwriting, strategy, distribution, product, or portfolio management.
• CIP, FCIP, CRM, or other relevant professional designations.
• Proven experience leading transformational change or business modernization initiatives.
• Established industry credibility with brokers, partners, and external stakeholders.

Leadership Profile

• A strategic and commercially minded business leader.
• A recognized underwriting and portfolio management expert.
• Customer obsessed and passionate about serving affluent clients.
• Highly collaborative and influential across functions.
• Comfortable balancing growth, profitability, and risk.
• An inspiring people leader who develops talent and builds strong teams.
• A visible market leader capable of representing Aviva with brokers, partners, and industry stakeholders.

What you’ll get

The salary band for this position ranges from $170,000 to $180,000 (plus bonus) Please note that individual salary is determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills and experience, as well as internal equity.

• Compelling rewards package including base compensation, eligibility for annual bonus, retirement savings, share plan, health benefits, personal wellness, and volunteer opportunities.
• Hybrid flexible work model.
• Outstanding career development opportunities.
• We’ll support your professional development education.
• Competitive vacation package with the option to purchase 5 extra days off per year.
• Employee-driven programs focused on gender, LGBTQ+, origins, diversity, and inclusion.
• Corporate wellness programs to support our employees’ physical and mental health.

This job advertisement is for an existing vacancy which has been posted both internally & externally. Aviva Canada may use AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools to assist us throughout the recruitment process to screen, assess or select applicants for a position. Aviva Canada welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and has a process in place to provide accommodations for persons with disabilities at all stages of the hiring process and during employment. If you require an accommodation during the interview or hiring process, please contact your Aviva Talent Acquisition Partner so that an appropriate accommodation can be arranged. We help our 19.5 million customers to save for the future and manage the risks of everyday life. To give these customers the best possible products and service we know we must make Aviva the most attractive choice for talented, entrepreneurial people with diverse backgrounds and an evolving range of expertise and insight. So, we’re passionate about helping our 23,000 people to do the best work of their lives, to enable them to make a positive difference to the lives of our customers.