AVP, High Net Worth Underwriting Ops

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Career development opportunities

Professional development support

Competitive vacation package

Job summary

Aviva Canada in Markham seeks an Assistant Vice President, High Net Worth to lead growth, underwriting discipline, and the client value proposition for the HNW portfolio. You will partner with Product, Distribution, Pricing, Analytics, Claims, Marketing, Technology, Finance and Operations to deliver differentiated propositions and exceptional service for affluent clients.

The role requires strategic leadership, risk management excellence, and the ability to build and sustain high‑performing

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Underwriting expertise

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Team leadership

Affluent client service

Collaboration across functions

Education

University degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline

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.

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

The Ideal Candidate Is

• 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.