Sr. Underwriting Specialist, ART and Fronting

Aviva plc; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Bonus eligibility

Health benefits

Retirement savings plan

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Aviva Canada is seeking a Senior Underwriting Specialist, ART & Fronting to support the growth and management of its Alternative Risk Transfer (ART) and fronting business across Canada. You will partner with brokers, clients, underwriting, actuarial, finance, legal and reinsurance teams to design innovative risk financing solutions.

This role is ideal for a commercially focused insurance professional who combines technical underwriting expertise with strong stakeholder relationships, influencing

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in commercial insurance, ART, or risk financing.
• Strong knowledge of captive structures and fronting arrangements.
• Experience with brokers and multi-stakeholder environments.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and manage ART and fronting programs for growth and profitability.
• Collaborate with underwriting, actuarial, claims, finance, and legal teams.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for new ART and fronting business.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and governance requirements.

Skills

ART underwriting

Fronting programs

Stakeholder management

Captive structures

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 is seeking a Senior Underwriting Specialist, ART & Fronting to support the growth and management of its Alternative Risk Transfer (ART), and fronting business across Canada. As a subject matter expert, you will partner with brokers, clients, underwriting, actuarial, finance, legal, claims, and reinsurance stakeholders to develop and deliver innovative risk financing solutions. This role is ideal for a commercially focused insurance professional who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to build trusted relationships and navigate complex insurance structures. As an individual contributor, you will influence business outcomes through underwriting excellence, technical leadership, strategic thinking, and cross‑functional collaboration, rather than direct people management.

What you’ll do

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of ART and Fronting programs, ensuring profitable growth and alignment with Aviva's risk appetite.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with brokers, captive owners, reinsurers, risk managers, and key client stakeholders.
• Evaluate complex risk financing structures, including captive programs, fronting arrangements, and other alternative risk transfer solutions.
• Collaborate with underwriting, actuarial, claims, finance, legal, and reinsurance teams to design and deliver customized client solutions.
• Analyze portfolio performance, profitability, retention, and growth opportunities, recommending actions to improve results.
• Support new business development efforts by identifying and pursuing opportunities within the ART and fronting marketplace.
• Provide technical expertise on captive insurance structures, risk retention mechanisms, reinsurance, funding approaches, and program design.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, governance, and reporting requirements related to captive and fronting programs.
• Act as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor, influencing business decisions and supporting strategic initiatives across the organization.

What you’ll bring

• 7+ years of experience in commercial insurance, alternative risk transfer (ART), reinsurance, or risk financing.
• Strong understanding of captive structures, fronting arrangements, reinsurance principles, and commercial insurance products.
• Experience working with complex commercial clients, brokers, and multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including evaluating funding structures and risk financing solutions.
• Knowledge of captive insurance regulatory and governance requirements.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders, lead initiatives, and drive results without direct authority.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

What makes you stand out

• Direct experience with Captives, ART, and Fronting programs.
• Strong understanding of complex risk financing and reinsurance structures.
• Ability to combine technical underwriting expertise with business development and portfolio growth.
• Established broker, client, and industry relationships.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate complex concepts into practical client solutions.
• Experience working with large commercial or national accounts and customized insurance programs.

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.