Underwriter II

AXA Group; Toronto; On-site; CAD 121,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company is seeking a professional focused on product line management in Canada. This role involves developing business relationships with agencies, underwriting accounts, and enhancing portfolio performance. The ideal candidate will have extensive underwriting experience and advanced knowledge of surety operations. The position promises competitive compensation and a commitment to inclusion and sustainability, providing an inspiring environment for professional growth.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits

Competitive retirement savings plan

Qualifications

• Extensive commercial or contract surety underwriting experience preferred.
• Requires advanced knowledge of contract and commercial surety operations.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains business relationships with agencies and brokers.
• Analyzes portfolio performance and drives profitable growth.
• Communicates strategic direction to external partners.

Skills

Excellent verbal communication skills

Excellent written communication skills

Decision-making skills

Analytical skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in business, insurance, or related field

Job description

What you’ll be doing

The primary focus of this role is on Canada product line management, which includes relationship, underwriting and expense management. This role develops and maintains business relationships with agencies and/or brokers for the purpose of sales growth and distribution expansion, and self-directly underwrites accounts based on authority level granted to the role and underwriting appetite.

What will your essential responsibilities include?

• Monitors market conditions and confirm information gathered within market space.
• Analyzes performance of portfolio as well as individual account performance and develops appropriate action to drive profitable growth based upon the analysis.
• Reviews underwriting guidelines and provides input on new guidelines as the Commercial Bond unit expands.
• Actively participates and contributes to operational initiatives within Political Risk, Credit and Bond (PRCB) to execute the operational plan.
• Works with other members of the PRCB team, and wider Large Commercial Canada to develop and pursue cross selling opportunities.
• Plans, develops and integrates territory sales plans to achieve top and bottom-line objectives.
• Communicates strategic direction and operational plans to external partners.
• Communicates policies, procedures, and financial budgets that result in attainment of business objectives.
• Develops and maintains outstanding business relationships with key groups and individuals within the commercial lines market.
• Develops customer service standards for commercial bond team. Drives customer service performance to established standards.
• Works in partnership with fellow leaders to manage the training of employees and to ensure a high degree of competency and professionalism.
• Sets operational expectations, goals and strategies.

You will report to the Chief Underwriting Officer, Large Commercial Canada, whilst working closely with the wider Americas PRCB group

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

• Education: Undergraduate degree in business, insurance, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: Extensive commercial or contract surety or related underwriting experience preferred.
• Knowledge: Requires advanced knowledge of contract and/or commercial surety operations products, procedures and practices. Expertise in bond lines of business, ratings, customer environment and markets. Requires extensive knowledge of bond underwriting best practices, field underwriting operations and day-to-day underwriting operational needs. Familiarity with other company products preferred.
• Skills/Competencies: Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to disseminate vision of senior leadership and to motivate a large agency force. Ability to set work priorities and to initiate, evaluate and recommend solutions to upper management.
• Must have the ability to perform duties with self-supported judgment, with underwriting authority and company underwriting standards.
• Demonstrated decision-making ability required in day-to-day operations.

Who we are

AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid‑sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it.

How? By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data‑driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business – property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty.

With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward.

What we offer

Inclusion

AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture and enables business growth and is critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.

• Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.
• Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
• Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits
• Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
• Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter

Learn more at Inclusion & Diversity at AXA XL | AXA XL. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Total Rewards

AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do.

We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence.

Sustainability

At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. In an ever‑changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future. Our 2023‑26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.

Our Pillars:

• Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems – the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.
• Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far‑reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal‑led solutions.
• Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
• AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving.

For more information, please see Sustainability at AXA XL.

The Canada base salary range for this position is CAD 121,700 - 171,700.

Actual pay will be determined based upon the individual’s skills, experience and location. We strive for market alignment and internal equity with our colleagues’ pay.

At AXA XL, we know how important physical, mental, and financial health are to our employees, which is why we are proud to offer benefits such as a competitive retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and many other benefits. We also believe in fostering our colleagues' development and offer a wide range of learning opportunities for colleagues to hone their professional skills and to position themselves for the next step of their careers.