Commercial Lines Underwriter

Optimum General Insurance; Winnipeg; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Transit-accessible offices

Competitive compensation

Work-life balance

Team-building activities

Job summary

Optimum Group is seeking a Commercial Lines Underwriter to evaluate and manage commercial risks, build broker relationships, and contribute to profitability and growth of the portfolio. The role requires strong underwriting judgment, market awareness, and service excellence.

You will support brokers, analyze files, and ensure profitability while aligning with underwriting guidelines. A collaborative, client-focused approach is essential to success in this broker-facing position.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of commercial underwriting experience.
• Experience evaluating and managing commercial insurance risks.
• Understanding of commercial underwriting principles and practices.
• Ability to analyze information and make sound underwriting decisions.
• Experience working with insurance brokers or in a broker-facing environment is an asset.
• Ability to underwrite and manage commercial accounts of varying size and complexity.
• Strong analytical and account assessment skills.
• Knowledge of broker and insurer relationships.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong customer service orientation and relationship-building abilities.
• Effective negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong organizational, planning, and decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of the commercial insurance marketplace and competitive environment.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a team environment.
• Results-oriented with a focus on profitability, growth, and service excellence.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and manage commercial new business, renewals, and policy changes within assigned authority levels.
• Assess and select risks while ensuring profitability and adherence to company underwriting guidelines.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with assigned brokers.
• Contribute to broker and territory business plans aligned with regional growth, retention, profitability, and service objectives.
• Visit brokers to promote the company's commercial insurance products and strengthen business relationships.
• Identify opportunities for new commercial business and regional programs.
• Monitor market trends, pricing, legal developments, and industry conditions relevant to commercial underwriting.
• Negotiate terms and conditions to maintain a profitable and sustainable book of business.
• Respond to broker inquiries and provide effective solutions to underwriting issues.
• Provide support, guidance, and knowledge sharing to team members, as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Underwriting

Risk assessment

Broker relationships

Analytical skills

Decision making

Communication

Negotiation

Independent work

Job description

The Commercial Lines Underwriter works within established underwriting authority and service standards to evaluate, select, and manage commercial insurance risks. The successful candidate will contribute to the profitability, growth, and retention of the commercial portfolio by developing strong relationships with brokers and providing high-quality underwriting service.

Key Responsibilities :

• Underwrite and manage commercial new business, renewals, and policy changes within assigned authority levels.
• Assess and select risks while ensuring profitability and adherence to company underwriting guidelines.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with assigned brokers.
• Contribute to the successful execution of broker and territory business plans aligned with regional growth, retention, profitability, and service objectives.
• Visit brokers to promote the company's commercial insurance products and strengthen business relationships.
• Identify opportunities for new commercial business and regional programs.
• Monitor market trends, pricing, legal developments, and industry conditions relevant to commercial underwriting.
• Negotiate terms and conditions to maintain a profitable and sustainable book of business.
• Respond to broker inquiries and provide effective solutions to underwriting issues.
• Provide support, guidance, and knowledge sharing to team members, as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Experience & Qualifications :

• Minimum of 2 years of commercial underwriting experience
• Experience evaluating and managing commercial insurance risks.
• Understanding of commercial underwriting principles and practices.
• Ability to analyze information and make sound underwriting decisions.
• Experience working with insurance brokers or in a broker-facing environment is considered an asset.
• Ability to underwrite and manage commercial accounts of varying size and complexity.
• Strong analytical and account assessment skills.
• Knowledge of broker and insurer relationships.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong customer service orientation and relationship-building abilities.
• Effective negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong organizational, planning, and decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of the commercial insurance marketplace and competitive environment.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a team environment.
• Results-oriented with a focus on profitability, growth, and service excellence.

Why Join Optimum?

At Optimum Group, we are proud to be a wholly owned Canadian company with international operations and a people-first culture.

We offer:

• Hybrid work model (3 days in office)
• Centrally located offices accessible by public transit
• Competitive compensation package
• Strong commitment to work-life balance
• Employee-focused culture with high engagement
• Monthly team-building and social activities

Join a company where your expertise is valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions make a real impact.