Commercial Underwriter, P&C

Aviva plc; Dartmouth; Hybrid; CAD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Health benefits

Retirement savings

Wellness programs

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Aviva Canada is seeking a Property & Casualty Underwriter for our Atlantic Branch, with opportunities at Intermediate and Senior levels. You will underwrite core and middle‑market commercial accounts, build broker relationships, and contribute to portfolio performance.

The role offers a hybrid work model, competitive compensation, and pathways for professional growth through CIP/FCIP designations and ongoing learning. Ideal candidates have 3–10+ years in insurance underwriting.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of Commercial P&C underwriting experience
• CIP designation completed or in progress
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Qualify and underwrite new business and renewal Commercial Property & Casualty accounts
• Assess customer needs and risk characteristics to balance growth and profitability
• Set coverage terms, conditions, and pricing per guidelines and authority
• Build and maintain relationships with brokers, customers, and internal partners
• Negotiate terms, pricing, and coverage for new business, renewals, and mid-term changes
• Maintain portfolio quality by monitoring loss trends and market conditions

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Relationship management

Stakeholder influence

Team mentoring

Education

Post-secondary education or equivalent experience

CIP or FCIP designation preferred

Job description

Experience Aviva 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.At Aviva Canada, we put people first, our employees, our customers, and our communities. We’re proud of a culture built on care, inclusion, and collaboration, where your voice matters and your growth is supported. We’re not just about insurance; we’re about making a real difference by protecting what matters most.

The Opportunity Aviva Canada has an exciting opportunity within our Aviva Business unit. We are hiring a Property & Casualty Underwriter to join our Atlantic Branch, and are open to candidates at both the Intermediate and Senior levels. The successful candidate will support profitable growth through high‑quality underwriting across Core and Middle Market commercial accounts, with account size, complexity, and authority aligned to level. These accounts typically range from $7,500 to $250K in annual premium, depending on market segment and role level. This role partners closely with brokers, customers, and internal stakeholders to deliver technical underwriting expertise, strong service experiences, and sustainable portfolio performance. We welcome applicants with anywhere from 3 to up to 10+ years of insurance and/or underwriting experience. We will determine level based on experience.

What you’ll do

• All Levels
  • Qualify and underwrite new business and renewal Commercial Property & Casualty accounts
  • Assess customer needs and risk characteristics to balance top‑line growth and bottom‑line profitability
  • Set coverage terms, conditions, and pricing in accordance with underwriting guidelines and delegated authority
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, customers, and internal partners
  • Negotiate terms, pricing, and coverage for new business, renewals, and mid‑term changes
  • Maintain portfolio quality by monitoring loss trends, market conditions, and risk performance
  • Stay current on industry trends, legal, and regulatory changes
  • Effectively utilize Commercial Insurance systems and tools
• Intermediate Underwriter
  • Independently underwrite Core Market commercial accounts within assigned authority
  • Review new business submissions and renewals, escalating more complex risks as appropriate
  • Deliver responsive, solutions oriented broker and customer service
  • Contribute to market research, pricing insights, and product or coverage discussions
  • Support updates to underwriting guidelines, bulletins, and procedures
  • Help identify emerging risk trends and participate in remediation strategies
  • Support learning and development initiatives, including assisting with training and knowledge sharing
• Senior Underwriter
  • Underwriting Core and Middle Market accounts, including medium to complex risks, within higher authority levels
  • Acting as a technical referral and escalation point for junior and intermediate underwriters
  • Driving profitable growth through disciplined risk selection and portfolio management
  • Providing insight on market trends, loss drivers, and underwriting performance
  • Participating in pricing, coverage, and product enhancements and contributing to underwriting guidelines and manuals
  • Mentoring and developing underwriting talent; supporting formal and informal training initiatives
  • Conducting broker and insured meetings to develop new business and retain key, profitable accounts
  • Serving as a subject matter expert within the branch or region

What You’ll Bring

• Intermediate Candidates: 3+ years of Commercial P&C underwriting experience
  • Post‑secondary education or equivalent experience
  • CIP designation completed or in progress
  • Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship‑management skills
  • Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment
• Senior Candidates: 7+ years of Property & Casualty underwriting experience
  • Post‑secondary education or equivalent practical experience
  • CIP or FCIP designation preferred
  • Deep knowledge of underwriting philosophy, policy contracts, pricing, and risk assessment
  • Expertise in one or more segments such as Construction, Contractors, Manufacturing, Wholesaling, Builders Risk, and Wrap Up
  • Strong presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder influencing capabilities
  • Ability to mentor and coach more junior underwriters in upskilling technical knowledge.

What Makes You Stand Out (Both levels)

• Strong service orientation with a solutions focused mindset
• Ability to proactively identify and pursue growth opportunities
• Professional, confident communicator who builds long term broker partnerships
• Ability to think outside the box and has well versed underwriting acumen.

What you’ll get

• 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.

Please note that we may use AI tools to help us through the recruitment process.

This is a new position which has been posted internally & externally.

Aviva Canada has an accommodation process in place to provide accommodations for employees with disabilities. If upon commencement of employment you require a specific accommodation because of a disability, please contact your Talent Acquisition Partner so that an appropriate accommodation can be arranged. This process applies throughout your career with Aviva Canada.

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.