Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager

Schill Insurance; Surrey; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

RRSP matching

Education & licensing

Vacation 3 weeks

You days off

Wellness account

Work-life balance

Career growth

Job summary

Schill Insurance in Surrey, BC is seeking a Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager to lead our in-house underwriting team, drive performance, and develop the portfolio. You will blend technical underwriting expertise with people leadership to support sound decisions and profitable growth.

Collaborate with Commercial Lines leadership and insurers to strengthen practices, develop programs, and manage relationships with Lloyd’s markets.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial insurance underwriting experience with portfolio management.
• Level 2 General Insurance License; designation is an asset.
• Experience leading or developing others in underwriting.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and support the commercial underwriting team.
• Drive profitable growth through new business and renewals.
• Develop underwriting guidelines and maintain policy wordings.
• Ensure accurate policy records and reporting.
• Collaborate with insurers and partners to identify opportunities.

Skills

Team leadership

Underwriting expertise

Portfolio management

Relationship management

Pricing knowledge

Delegated authorities

Education

Level 2 General Insurance License

Professional insurance designation

Job description

As the Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager at Schill Insurance, you lead our commercial underwriting team and are responsible for the performance, growth, and continued development of our in-house underwriting portfolio. You combine strong technical underwriting knowledge with people leadership, business strategy, and relationship management to support sound underwriting decisions and profitable growth. You work closely with the Commercial Lines leadership and insurance partners to strengthen underwriting practices, identify opportunities, and develop programs that support the business.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and support the commercial underwriting team, setting clear expectations and building accountability.
• Support the continued growth of team members through regular coaching, feedback, performance conversations, and file reviews.
• Manage team workload, scheduling, and day-to-day underwriting priorities.
• Provide technical guidance and support with complex risks, underwriting decisions, and escalated situations.
• Provide hands‑on underwriting support when needed due to workload, staffing, or business needs.

Portfolio Growth & Performance

• Lead strategies that support profitable growth, new business development, and strong renewal retention.
• Monitor portfolio performance and identify trends, opportunities, and areas requiring attention.
• Support sound risk selection, pricing, and underwriting decisions within established authorities and program guidelines.
• Work closely with Schill teams to support new business opportunities, renewals, and retention.
• Use portfolio results and underwriting trends to adjust priorities, practices, and growth strategies.

Underwriting Standards & Operations

• Develop and maintain underwriting guidelines, rating tools, procedures, and policy wordings.
• Ensure underwriting decisions, policy records, and documentation are accurate and complete.
• Maintain appropriate controls and practices related to delegated underwriting authority and program requirements.
• Oversee underwriting reporting requirements, including bordereaux, and support accurate portfolio data.
• Oversee outstanding underwriting activities and ensure requirements and requests are followed through in a timely manner.

Programs & Partnerships

• Identify and develop opportunities for new or improved in-house programs, products, and underwriting approaches.
• Work with leadership and insurance partners to develop solutions that support business needs and portfolio growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with insurers, Lloyd’s markets, and other underwriting partners.
• Maintain awareness of insurer appetite and market opportunities to support program and portfolio growth.
• Collaborate across Schill on initiatives that affect underwriting, Commercial Lines operations, and client service.

Success Factors

How You Show Up

• Clear, consistent, and accountable leadership
• Calm confidence when making decisions or working through complex issues
• Strong relationship focus with team members and business partners
• Practical, proactive approach with strong follow-through
• Curiosity and continuous improvement mindset

What You Know

• Level 2 General Insurance License; professional insurance education or designation an asset
• Strong commercial insurance underwriting experience, including complex risks and portfolio management
• Strong knowledge of commercial lines coverages, products, risk selection, pricing, and underwriting principles
• Experience leading or developing others in an underwriting environment
• Experience with delegated underwriting authorities, in-house programs, or insurer partnerships

About Us

At Schill Insurance, we’ve grown from a small, one-person office into a trusted brokerage with multiple locations across British Columbia. While we’re part of a larger national network, we’ve stayed true to our roots as a family-operated business that values people first.

Our culture is built on curiosity, collaboration, and continuous growth. We invest in our team through coaching, training, and development opportunities - because when our people succeed, so do our clients.

Why Join Schill Insurance?

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Extended health, dental, vision care, and RRSP matching
• Paid education, licensing, and professional development
• Supportive, team-oriented work environment
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Work-life balance with consistent scheduling and no Sunday shifts
• Three weeks (15 days) of vacation to start
• Three paid “You” days per year (volunteer day, personal day, and your birthday off with pay)
• $600 annual wellness spending account

As part of our hiring process, successful candidates must consent to a background/credit check and employment verification screening before starting employment.