Product Line Leader, Casualty

Markel; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an underwriting leader to drive growth in their primary Casualty product line in Canada. This pivotal role involves shaping and executing the Casualty strategy, managing a substantial portfolio, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in Casualty underwriting, a strong strategic mindset, and excellent leadership skills. Join a dynamic and values-driven culture that prioritizes integrity and accountability, and make a meaningful impact in a company that supports its employees and clients alike.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Casualty underwriting with leadership experience.
• Proven track record in managing large portfolios and growth strategies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Casualty portfolio and lead underwriting strategy.
• Manage technical wordings and product development for profitability.

Skills

Casualty underwriting

Leadership

Portfolio management

Strategic mindset

Communication skills

Relationship building

Data and analytics

Education

Undergraduate degree

Graduate degree

Industry designations

Job description

We are looking for an underwriting leader to drive the profitable growth of our primary Casualty product line in Canada. This is an opportunity to shape and expand Markel Canada’s largest product line, developing a compelling market proposition and strengthening Markel’s presence across our specialty areas, customer segments and distribution channels. You will be responsible for the overall health of the Casualty product line, including strategy, technical underwriting, portfolio management and leadership. As a senior leader at Markel, you will collaborate with product line leaders, field underwriters, various functional areas, and underwriting leadership across global operations. If you are an underwriting leader who thrives in a focused and creative environment and excels at building businesses and creating value and market impact, this is your opportunity to make a difference.

Company Overview:

Markel Corporation (NYSE – MKL), a fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory and investment operations around the world.

At Markel, we believe that what we do really matters. And that every one of us has the power to make a difference. To us, insurance is more than a piece of paper. It’s a promise to help people get back on their feet. It’s a commitment that gives people the courage to take chances. And in uncertain times, it’s the fuel that moves the world forward.

Since the very start, we’ve used our ingenuity to insure risks that others can’t, finding smart solutions to complex problems so people can live their lives and seize opportunities.

Our style is about focussing on people’s needs, not just words on a page. It’s about building relationships and connecting as humans. And ultimately, it’s about being there for people when they need us most.

In our eyes, our journey is just beginning. Together, we’re building a business that supports more people, in more places. But unlike our peers, we’ll never lose our people-first focus as we grow. Because you will always be what makes Markel special. And what continues to power this business forward.

Department Overview:

This is an opportunity to join a growing and ambitious business in a high-impact, and visible role at a pivotal time in our journey. You will play a crucial role in the development and ultimate delivery of Markel’s Casualty strategy in Canada, while driving greater growth, cohesion and optimization across the book.

The role is responsible for Casualty underwriting direction and profitability that supports growth. Markel Canada’s primary Casualty portfolio is $70M today, distributed across our Manufacturing, Contractors, Play Sector, Care Sector, General Casualty, Digital Portal and Delegated Underwriting specialty areas. Markel intends to profitably grow the casualty portfolio, in coordination with other lines of business, by strengthening our presence in our areas of specialty, and creating new avenues for profitable growth.

Working closely with the Markel Canada leadership team, you will join a values-driven culture with integrity and accountability at its core with significant onward career opportunities.

The role will also interact frequently with Claims, Actuarial, Data and Analytics, Operations, the International OCUO (Office of the Chief Underwriting Officer), and other UK-based colleagues as well as occasionally with US-based colleagues.

What we ask of you:

• Oversee the primary casualty portfolio and lead the development and execution of the primary Casualty underwriting strategy, ensuring sustainable growth and profitability.
• Develop, communicate, and execute upon the organizational goals and objectives established by the President & Managing Director and the Senior Vice President of Underwriting.
• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, mentorship, and overall support to the field Casualty underwriting teams to achieve effective execution of best practices.
• Manage technical wordings, product development, and underwriting guidelines for the portfolio, while monitoring authority, updating guidelines, and conducting periodic audits.
• Oversee account referrals above field underwriting authority, ensuring consistency and excellence.
• Proactively identify new market opportunities and product offerings as well as support cross-sell opportunities by identifying client needs.
• Manage the Environmental product through continuous Portfolio Management; Provide clear underwriting direction to field underwriting teams and ensure effective execution in line with product goals.
• Foster collaboration with Markel colleagues in Canada and internationally (e.g., UK) to align strategies and share best practices.
• Champion a positive and collaborative team culture, driving high performance and innovation.
  

What you will bring to the role:

• Extensive experience in Casualty underwriting, including in underwriting leadership positions.
• Proven track record of managing large portfolios and developing and executing profitable growth strategies.
• Strong technical expertise in primary Casualty coverage forms, including the proven ability to craft new products.
• Expert knowledge of various Casualty classes, medium and large business and foreign exposures.
• Proven ability to leverage data and analytics in underwriting strategy towards the improvement of underwriting results.
• Strong understanding of and exposure to claims, actuarial and loss control functions.
• Established relationships with brokers and clients in the Canadian marketplace.
• Strategic mindset with a proactive and entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A collaborative mentality and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
  

What we're looking for:

• Minimum of 10+ years of Casualty insurance underwriting and leadership experience.
• Undergraduate degree preferred.
• Graduate degree and/or industry designations would be a definite plus.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Collaborative style.
• Strong relationship building and collaboration skills.
• Excellent strategic skills with proven ability to think long term and lead transformational change.
• Demonstrated experience working with and influencing key stakeholders and leaders.
• High energy, pro-active self-starter; someone with a strong sense of urgency.
• Demonstrated ability in setting and meeting objectives and getting leadership, peers, and underwriters to “buy in” through superior influencing skills.
• Flexible and spontaneous qualities are key elements to the success of this position.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to achieve desired goals and to interact effectively as well as a high level of confidence, integrity, energy and enthusiasm, executive presence and a personality that fits the “Markel Style.
• Ability to travel.

If you’re ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Markel Brand Values

We’re all about people:

• Empowering them, supporting them and helping protect what matters most to them.
• We put people first, and stay true to our word, because we believe in the power of relationships and doing what’s right.

We win together:

• We work as a team, exchanging ideas, supporting each other and respecting everyone’s opinion.
• Because together we know we can achieve great things.

We strive for better:

• We aspire to lead and win in all that we do.
• Aiming for excellence, and finding a better way of doing things, is up to us all.

We enjoy the everyday:

• We are dedicated to our work, but we always keep a sense of humor and leave our egos at the door.

We think further:

• We are committed to building a legacy and making decisions that leave a lasting impact on our customers, partners, employees and communities.

Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also supportive of candidates looking for flexible working patterns.