Senior Commercial Underwriter

Aviva; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Aviva Canada seeks a Middle Market Underwriter within its Commercial Insurance Branch in Ottawa. This role involves underwriting medium-sized accounts focusing on wholesaling, manufacturing, and contractors, requiring a blend of technical expertise and relationship management skills. Candidates should have at least 6 years of experience and a relevant educational background, aiming for profitable growth and high-quality service delivery to brokers and customers. Attractive career development opportunities and a compelling rewards package await the right candidate.

Benefits

Annual bonus eligibility

Retirement savings plan

Health benefits

Personal wellness opportunities

Competitive vacation package

Corporate wellness programs

Outstanding career development opportunities

Qualifications

• At least 6 years’ experience in commercial insurance underwriting.
• Strong knowledge of underwriting in segments like Wholesaling and Manufacturing.
• Ability to develop long-term relationships with brokers.

Responsibilities

• Qualify and underwrite deals understanding customer risk characteristics.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
• Provide insight on market research and contribute to product changes.

Skills

Underwriting

Relationship Management

Market Research

Analytical Skills

Education

Post-secondary education (Business or related discipline)

CIP/FCIP preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Commercial underwriting systems

Job description

Aviva Canada Inc. has an excellent opportunity in our Small Medium and Enterprise (SME) commercial insurance business unit. Our Commercial Insurance Branch located in Ottawa, ON, has opportunities for Senior Commercial Lines Underwriters. We are seeking a Middle Market Underwriter for Property and Casualty.

As a Middle Market Underwriter the accountability in this role isto drive profitable growth through quality underwritingwitha middle market commercial focus, these aremedium-sized accounts in select segments focusing on wholesale, manufacturing and contractors which typically fall above the annual premium band of $25,000. As a Senior Middle Market Underwriter, you are accountable to collaborate with internal partners to identify new business opportunities and to provide superior technical expertise to brokers and customers to price the risk appropriately.

What you will do

• Qualify and underwrite deal through understanding needs and risk characteristics of the customer, ensuring benefit from both top-line and profitability perspective.
• Develop and maintain relationships cross-functionally and external stakeholders, to deliver exceptional broker and customer service.
• Act as a point of escalation for more junior underwriters to refer Middle Market risks, and authorize risks within own established authority levels.
• Maintain the quality and profitability of the portfolio, and refer all risks outside established authority level to Specialist.
• Provide insight on market research and analysis; develop business cases for pricing, coverage and/or product improvements.
• Contribute to the introduction and communication of pricing, coverage and/or product changes on time, including creating underwriter bulletins, contributing to the development of underwriting guidelines, procedures, and manuals.
• Help identify areas of concern regarding loss ratios, risk trends, or other discrepancies, applying remediation strategies as appropriate.
• Build knowledge of all Information Systems/Programs within Commercial Insurance.
• Participate in Quality Reviews and audits as required.
• Maintain knowledge of industry trends, developments, and regulatory changes.

What we are looking for :

• At least 6 years’ experience in commercial Insurance underwriting
• Post-secondary education (Business or related discipline) or equivalent practical experience
• CIP/FCIP preferred
• Strong knowledge of underwriting, pricing and product in key segments, i.e. Wholesaling, Manufacturing and/or Contractors
• Working knowledge of other functional areas (i.e. Claims, Risk Management, Accounting, etc.).
• Strong level of understanding of underwriting philosophy, policy contracts, rating programs, risk information sources, underwriting/technical manual information, statuary constraints, and computer workflow procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Commercial underwriting systems and other related systems.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner to develop long-term relationships with brokers and customers.
• Ability to work with internal business partners to deliver a great broker and customer experience.
• Ability to be self-motivated and proactively pursue potential business opportunities with brokers and customers.
• Ability to listen to broker and customer needs in order to effectively and efficiently meet them.

What you’ll get:

• Please note that individual salary is determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills and experience, as well as internal equity.

• Compelling rewards package including base compensation, eligibility for annual bonus, retirement savings, share plan, health benefits, personal wellness, and volunteer opportunities.

• 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

• Hybrid work

Please note that we may use AI tools to help us through the recruitment process. This is an existing position which has been posted both 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.