Sr Underwriter, Surety

Aviva plc; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Annual bonus

Retirement savings

Share plan

Health benefits

Personal wellness

Volunteer opportunities

Career development

Extra vacation days

Job summary

Aviva Canada is seeking an experienced Contract Surety Underwriter to lead and manage a diverse portfolio in Western Canada. You will assess risk, develop tailored surety solutions, and build long-term broker and contractor relationships.

The role emphasizes collaboration, risk assessment, and strategic growth with a hybrid work model and competitive compensation in Canada.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Commerce, Business, Economics, Finance, or a related field.
• Proven relationship management and business development capabilities with brokers and contractors.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities with accuracy and responsiveness.

Responsibilities

• Underwriting: Lead the underwriting and management of Contract Surety portfolios within your region.
• Business development & strategy: Identify opportunities to grow profitable Surety relationships and partnerships.
• Customer & Broker experience: Deliver exceptional service to brokers and clients with clear communication.
• Collaboration & Team contribution: Work with peers to maintain underwriting excellence and support teammates.

Skills

Contract Surety Underwriting

Relationship management

Financial analysis

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Education

Commerce / Business / Economics / Finance degree

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 Join Aviva's Surety team and play a key role in supporting the growth and success of our Contract Surety business in the Western Canada. We are looking for talented underwriting professionals at various stages of their careers, from those looking to build their expertise in Surety to experienced Contract Surety Underwriters ready to take the next step. The level of the role, responsibilities, and accountabilities will be aligned to your experience and expertise.

In this role, you will partner with contractors and broker partners to assess opportunities, manage risk, and build strong, long-term relationships that support profitable growth. You will be responsible for the application and execution of Contract Surety underwriting policies, guidelines, and best practices across your portfolio, while delivering exceptional service to clients and brokers. As a trusted advisor, you will help strengthen and expand Aviva's Surety presence by managing a portfolio of contractor accounts, collaborating with accredited brokers, and contributing to strategic business initiatives. Your expertise, judgment, and relationship-building skills will play a critical role in achieving our Surety objectives and supporting Aviva's broader business strategy.

What you’ll do

Underwriting: Lead the underwriting and management of a diverse Contract Surety portfolio within your assigned region. You will apply sound underwriting judgment to assess risk, support profitable growth, and deliver tailored surety solutions for contractors and broker partners. Working closely with accredited brokers and contractor clients, you will ensure underwriting decisions align with Aviva's risk appetite, best practices, and strategic objectives while contributing to the continued growth and success of our Surety business.

Business development & strategy: Support the execution of Aviva's Contract Surety growth strategy by identifying opportunities to strengthen existing relationships and develop new business partnerships. You will collaborate with brokers, contractors, and internal stakeholders to expand market presence, drive profitable growth, and enhance our value proposition in the marketplace. Through ongoing relationship management and market engagement, you will help position Aviva as a trusted surety partner.

Customer & Broker experience: Deliver exceptional service and responsive support to brokers, clients, and internal partners. By providing timely solutions, clear communication, and strong technical expertise, you will help create a seamless experience that strengthens relationships and reinforces Aviva's reputation for service excellence.

Collaboration & Team contribution: Be an active and valued member of a collaborative, high-performing team. Share your expertise, mentor and support colleagues when needed, and contribute to a positive team culture. You will work closely with peers and business partners to solve challenges, exchange knowledge, and ensure consistent underwriting excellence across the Surety business.

What you’ll bring

Experience in Contract Surety Underwriting with approximately 3-5 years of experience preferred within a surety or insurance organization. You bring a strong understanding of underwriting principles, risk assessment, and portfolio management, along with the ability to build trusted relationships with brokers, contractors, and internal stakeholders. Post-secondary education in Commerce, Business, Economics, Finance, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and industry experience will also be considered. Strong knowledge of the surety and construction industry, including contract surety underwriting practices, financial statement analysis, accounting fundamentals, and construction-related terminology and processes. Excellent analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to evaluate complex information, assess risk, and make sound underwriting recommendations that balance customer needs with business objectives.

Proven relationship management and business development capabilities, including the confidence to negotiate, influence, and present effectively to a variety of audiences. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate underwriting decisions, provide guidance, and build credibility with both internal and external partners. A collaborative, solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to navigate challenges, resolve issues effectively, and achieve positive outcomes for all parties involved. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy, responsiveness, and customer service.

What you’ll get

The salary band for this position ranges from $100,000 to $120,000. Please note that individual salary is determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, 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. 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.