Commercial Underwriter_ Programs and Portfolio Solutions

Aviva; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base compensation

Annual bonus

Retirement savings

Share plan

Health benefits

Wellness program

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Aviva Canada is seeking a Commercial Underwriter to join our Global Corporate & Specialty Programs team. You’ll build broker relationships, underwrite complex risks, and drive profitable growth within a diversified portfolio.

A CIP or FCIP asset enhances your candidacy, and hybrid work supports collaboration with claims, risk management, and finance teams. You’ll assess exposures, apply pricing strategies, and mentor junior underwriters while maintaining guidelines and governance.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of commercial underwriting experience, ideally within property and casualty insurance.
• CIP designation completed or in progress; FCIP designation is considered an asset.
• Strong technical expertise in risk assessment, pricing, and underwriting across commercial segments such as manufacturing, public sector, retail, or other complex industries.
• Excellent understanding of underwriting principles, insurance contracts, coverage analysis, rating methodologies, and risk selection.
• Working knowledge of related disciplines, including Claims, Risk Management, and Finance.
• Experience using underwriting and rating systems, with strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• A proven ability to build and maintain strong, long-term broker and client relationships.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• A proactive and results-oriented mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities and drive profitable growth.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• A collaborative approach and a passion for supporting team success and developing others.

Responsibilities

• Develop and strengthen broker partnerships to uncover and grow new business and program opportunities.
• Evaluate and underwrite new and renewal commercial property and casualty risks, including complex and specialized program business.
• Apply sound underwriting judgment, risk assessment, and pricing strategies to achieve profitable growth.
• Manage and maintain a high-quality, profitable portfolio while ensuring adherence to underwriting guidelines and authority levels.
• Identify emerging risk trends, portfolio performance concerns, and loss ratio challenges, and implement strategies to address them.
• Partner with Risk Engineering teams to understand exposures, review recommendations, and support positive outcomes for clients and brokers.
• Analyze large losses, participate in remediation discussions, and contribute to continuous portfolio improvement.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and technical support to junior underwriters.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Claims, Risk Management, Finance and other business areas to deliver an exceptional broker and client experience.
• Maintain strong knowledge of underwriting systems, products, processes, and industry best practices.
• Participate in audits, quality reviews, and compliance-related activities as required.
• Stay informed on industry, market, and regulatory developments that may impact underwriting strategies and program performance.

Skills

Underwriting

Broker relationships

Risk assessment

Pricing

MS Office

Communication

Negotiation

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Development of others

Education

CIP designation

FCIP designation asset

Tools

Underwriting software

Rating systems

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

We’re looking for a Commercial Underwriter to join our Global Corporate & Specialty (GCS) Programs team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an underwriting professional who thrives on building broker relationships, analyzing complex risks, and influencing profitable growth. In this role, you’ll work with a diverse portfolio of commercial property and casualty risks, partner with brokers to identify new business opportunities, and leverage your technical expertise to deliver tailored insurance solutions that support our clients’ success.

If you’re passionate about underwriting, enjoy making sound business decisions, and want to be part of a collaborative and high-performing team, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll do

• Develop and strengthen broker partnerships to uncover and grow new business and program opportunities.

• Evaluate and underwrite new and renewal commercial property and casualty risks, including complex and specialized program business.

• Apply sound underwriting judgment, risk assessment, and pricing strategies to achieve profitable growth.

• Manage and maintain a high-quality, profitable portfolio while ensuring adherence to underwriting guidelines and authority levels.

• Identify emerging risk trends, portfolio performance concerns, and loss ratio challenges, and implement strategies to address them.

• Partner with Risk Engineering teams to understand exposures, review recommendations, and support positive outcomes for clients and brokers.

• Analyze large losses, participate in remediation discussions, and contribute to continuous portfolio improvement.

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and technical support to junior underwriters.

• Collaborate with colleagues across Claims, Risk Management, Finance, and other business areas to deliver an exceptional broker and client experience.

• Maintain strong knowledge of underwriting systems, products, processes, and industry best practices.

• Participate in audits, quality reviews, and compliance-related activities as required.

• Stay informed on industry, market, and regulatory developments that may impact underwriting strategies and program performance.

What you’ll bring

• 3+ years of commercial underwriting experience, ideally within property and casualty insurance.

• CIP designation completed or in progress; FCIP designation is considered an asset.

• Strong technical expertise in risk assessment, pricing, and underwriting across commercial segments such as manufacturing, public sector, retail, or other complex industries.

• Excellent understanding of underwriting principles, insurance contracts, coverage analysis, rating methodologies, and risk selection.

• Working knowledge of related disciplines, including Claims, Risk Management, and Finance.

• Experience using underwriting and rating systems, with strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• A proven ability to build and maintain strong, long-term broker and client relationships.

• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

• A proactive and results-oriented mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities and drive profitable growth.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• A collaborative approach and a passion for supporting team success and developing others.

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.