Sr. Underwriting Specialist, Financial Lines

Aviva Canada; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid flexible work model

Career development opportunities

Education support

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Aviva Canada is seeking a Senior Specialist, Financial Lines Underwriter to lead underwriting and portfolio management for D&O, EPL, Fiduciary, and Crime coverages. You will engage brokers, guide risk selection, and influence underwriting strategy across the region.

You will collaborate with Claims, Actuarial, Legal, and Risk teams to refine guidelines and governance while supporting profitable growth. A hybrid work model is offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of underwriting experience in Financial Lines (D&O, EPL, Fiduciary, Crime).
• Strong technical underwriting skills and ability to assess complex financial and qualitative risks.
• Proven success managing broker relationships and negotiating complex risks.
• Strong business acumen with ability to interpret financial statements and market indicators.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and negotiate complex new business and renewals within delegated authority.
• Analyze financial statements, industry trends, claims history, and qualitative risk factors.
• Manage a portfolio with focus on profitable growth, retention, and risk selection quality.
• Identify emerging trends and adjust appetite, pricing, and product development as needed.
• Maintain compliance with internal guidelines, audit standards, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Broker relationships

Underwriting expertise

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Independent work

Attention to detail

Governance

Education

Post-secondary education in business/finance

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
The Senior Specialist, Financial Lines Underwriter is responsible for underwriting and managing a diverse portfolio of Financial Lines products, including Directors & Officers (D&O), , Employment Practices Liability (EPL), Fiduciary and Crime coverages. This role combines deep technical underwriting expertise with strong broker engagement, portfolio stewardship, and the ability to influence underwriting strategy across the region.
You will be a key contributor within the Financial Lines team, supporting profitable growth, strengthening broker relationships, and helping refine underwriting standards, appetite, and governance for the FL portfolio.

What you’ll do

Underwriting & Portfolio Management

• Underwrite and negotiate complex new business and renewals within delegated authority, ensuring alignment with risk appetite, pricing adequacy, and profitability targets.
• Analyze financial statements, industry trends, claims history, and qualitative risk factors to make informed underwriting decisions.
• Manage a portfolio with a focus on profitable growth, retention, and risk selection quality.
• Identify emerging trends and recommend portfolio actions such as appetite adjustments, pricing strategies, and product development opportunities.
• Ensure underwriting files meet compliance, audit, and documentation standards.

Broker & Client Engagement

• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key brokers across the region.
• Lead broker meetings, presentations, and negotiations for large and complex FL opportunities.
• Provide clear risk rationales, appetite guidance, and market insights to strengthen Aviva’s position in the FL market.
• Support broker development through training, market updates, and underwriting workshops as required.

Technical Expertise & Collaboration

• Act as a subject-matter expert for Financial Lines, providing guidance to junior underwriters, peers, and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with Claims, Actuarial, Legal, and Risk to refine underwriting practices and ensure alignment across functions.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of underwriting guidelines, pricing tools, and product enhancements.
• Support strategic initiatives related to FL growth, risk appetite evolution, and governance.

Governance & Compliance

• Maintain strong control practices, ensuring underwriting decisions comply with internal guidelines, audit standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Support efforts to enhance underwriting discipline and contribute to the overall governance framework of the FL portfolio.
• Participate in periodic quality reviews and implement improvements where required.

What you’ll bring

• 10+ years of underwriting experience in Financial Lines (D&O, , EPL, Crime and Fiduciary ).
• Strong technical underwriting skills and the ability to assess complex financial and qualitative risks.
• Demonstrated success managing broker relationships and negotiating complex risks.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to interpret financial statements and market indicators.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to team success and sharing best practices.
• High attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and commitment to underwriting governance.
• Post-secondary education in business, finance, or a related field.

What makes you stand out

• CIP/FCIP or similar designation is an asset.

What you’ll get

• The salary band for this position ranges from $120,000 to $140,000. 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.
• 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.