AVP/VP, Insurance Program Manager

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Parental leave

Pension plan with company match

Job summary

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company in Toronto is seeking an AVP/VP, Program Manager to own a growing portfolio of commercial insurance programs across Canada, with accountability for underwriting performance, governance, and partner relationships.

You will collaborate with Head of Programs, product-line underwriters, and cross-functional teams to drive disciplined growth and sustainable portfolio results across MGAs, brokers and distribution partners.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of commercial underwriting or portfolio management experience.
• Experience with program, MGA, delegated authority, or portfolio underwritings.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with loss and pricing data.
• Knowledge of the Canadian commercial insurance market and broker relationships.
• Ability to travel within Canada and to the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, execution and performance of assigned programs.
• Build relationships with Program Administrators, MGAs, brokers and partners.
• Identify and advance new program opportunities aligned with strategy.
• Lead due diligence for prospective programs and governance.
• Drive onboarding with cross-functional teams to ensure timely execution.
• Establish program-specific underwriting guidelines and controls.
• Lead referrals outside authority and drive timely decisions.
• Oversee renewal reviews and growth planning based on performance.

Skills

Underwriting expertise

Portfolio management

Program governance

Cross-functional collaboration

Negotiation & communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Insurance designation asset

Job description

Salary Range: 150,000 CAD to 215,000 CAD Annually

Who We Are:

A strategic and trusted insurance partner, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI), provides a broad range of commercial property, casualty and specialty insurance coverages and outstanding service to customers and brokers around the world. Part of Berkshire Hathaway’s insurance operations, we bring our solutions to market with our stellar brand name, top-rated balance sheet, and the expertise of our global team of professionals, who exude excellent capabilities and strong character.

We are a values-based organization where respect, integrity, excellence, collaboration, and passion define who we are and how we do business. We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, and perspectives and strive to foster an inclusive environment that enables all our team members to bring their best selves to work. We are one team committed to building a culture where every teammate has the opportunity to contribute and be recognized. Want to be part of the team building the finest property, casualty and specialty lines insurance company in the world?

BHSI has an exciting opportunity for an AVP/VP, Program Manager in our Toronto office. As part of the BHSI Canada Programs team, this role will have meaningful ownership of a growing portfolio of commercial insurance programs across Canada, with accountability for underwriting performance, program governance, partner relationships, and the evaluation and execution of new opportunities.

The role offers the opportunity to work across multiple commercial lines and distribution models, including programs administered by MGAs, brokers, affinity and association partners, and technology-enabled small commercial opportunities. Applying sound underwriting judgment and a customer-focused perspective, the AVP/VP, Program Manager will help create sustainable value by balancing disciplined execution, thoughtful responsiveness, and long-term portfolio performance.

Working within BHSI’s collaborative environment, the successful candidate will partner closely with the Head of Programs, product-line underwriters, and cross-functional teams.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategy, execution, and performance of assigned programs, using underwriting results, premium growth, portfolio mix, loss trends, rate, exposure concentrations, data quality, expenses, commissions, and other relevant indicators to support disciplined, profitable growth.
• Build trusted, productive relationships with Program Administrators, MGAs, brokers, associations, Third-Party Administrators, and other distribution partners to strengthen customer and partner outcomes and create long-term value.
• Identify, evaluate, and advance new program opportunities that align with BHSI’s strategy and underwriting appetite, balancing commercial potential with sound risk selection and operational readiness.
• Lead due diligence for prospective programs by evaluating business plans, historical loss performance, underwriting guidelines, program structure, data and bordereaux, policy forms, operational capabilities, and governance.
• Drive the onboarding of approved programs in partnership with Product, Actuarial, Claims, Legal, Compliance, Operations, IT, and Finance, establishing clear ownership, effective handoffs, and timely execution.
• Establish and maintain program-specific underwriting guidelines, authority levels, referral criteria, audit practices, and controls that promote integrity, consistency, simplicity, and sustainable performance.
• Exercise sound underwriting judgment on referrals outside delegated authority and collaborate with BHSI product-line experts to reach timely, well-supported decisions.
• Lead program strategy, audit, remediation, and renewal reviews, developing recommendations on capacity, underwriting terms, authority, pricing, commission structure, and growth plans based on performance insights.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commercial property and casualty insurance experience, with the ability to independently manage complex underwriting, program or portfolio responsibilities. Approximately 10+ years of relevant experience preferred, or equivalent demonstrated experience applying these capabilities in commercial insurance.
• Experience with program, MGA, delegated authority or portfolio underwriting models, including evaluating underwriting approach, controls, performance and partner capabilities.
• Strong technical underwriting knowledge in one or more commercial insurance lines, with the ability to work across multiple products and develop expertise in adjacent areas.
• Knowledge of the Canadian commercial insurance market and experience developing productive relationships with brokers, MGAs, Program Administrators, affinity/association partners or comparable distribution partners.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen, including experience interpreting loss information, pricing and rate metrics, bordereaux, portfolio trends, financial results and program economics to support actionable decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across functions and influence stakeholders, including Product, Actuarial, Claims, Legal, Compliance, Operations, IT and Finance; able to make thoughtful, timely decisions and communicate recommendations clearly.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience preferred; CIP, FCIP, CPCU or another relevant insurance designation is an asset.
• Ability to travel within Canada and occasionally to the United States as business needs require.

Skills

• Advanced commercial underwriting and portfolio management (10+ years preferred): Apply technical judgment to evaluate risk, manage portfolio performance, establish appropriate controls, and recommend actions that support profitable, sustainable growth.
• Advanced program evaluation and analytical decision-making: Interpret loss experience, bordereaux, pricing metrics, financial performance, underwriting guidelines, and portfolio trends to develop timely, evidence-based recommendations.
• Advanced delegated authority and program governance: Design and apply authority frameworks, referral criteria, audits, controls, and remediation plans that strengthen consistency, integrity, and accountability.
• Advanced partner management, negotiation, and communication: Build trusted relationships, communicate complex recommendations clearly, and influence internal and external stakeholders toward shared outcomes.
• Advanced cross-functional execution: Translate strategy into practical action across underwriting and business functions, creating clarity, effective handoffs, and sustained program performance.

BHSI Offers:

• A competitive package and exciting growth opportunities for career-oriented teammates.
• A dynamic, action oriented, and thoughtful environment centered on always doing the right thing for our customers, teammates, and our other stakeholders.
• A purposely non-bureaucratic organization that embraces simplicity over complexity and emphasizes individual excellence in a team framework.
• Benefits that support your life and well-being, which include:
  • Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision benefits
  • Disability Insurance (both short-term and long-term)
  • Life Insurance
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Defined Contribution Pension Plan with Company Match
  • Generous holiday and Paid Time Off
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Paid Parental Leave

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. The base salary range for this position in Toronto, Canada is $150,000 CAD to $215,000 CAD along with annual bonus eligibility. Total compensation for a candidate is determined by relevant skills, location, and experience. We value our teammates, both their capabilities and character, as demonstrated by our culture.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The teammate may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing requirements of the organization.

BHSI complies with Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and has a process in place that provides accommodations for job applicants and teammates with disabilities upon request.

We do not employ AI or automated tools to filter, assess, or select candidates. This posting is for an existing vacancy within the organization.