Underwriting Manager, Specialty

AXA XL; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 160,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is seeking a senior leader to drive the Specialty underwriting team in Canada. You will translate product strategy into disciplined execution, oversee portfolio performance, and lead complex underwriting decisions across Large Commercial and Specialty lines.

You will report to the Head of Large Commercial Canada and collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve renewal processes, expand broker partnerships, and ensure governance and

Qualifications

• Significant commercial insurance underwriting experience, including Marine or Specialty products.
• Previous team leadership, coaching or supervisory experience.
• Experience managing complex accounts and broker relationships.
• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Insurance designation such as CIP, FCIP, ACII or equivalent is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Specialty underwriting team and portfolio, translating product strategy into disciplined execution, profitable growth and outstanding broker service.
• Develop and execute annual plans for Specialty portfolios and monitor performance metrics.
• Underwrite and manage complex or strategically important accounts with proper risk pricing and documentation.
• Translate Specialty’s strategic direction into team priorities and measurable actions.
• Build outstanding relationships with brokers, clients and distribution partners; represent capabilities in market meetings.

Skills

Underwriting experience

Team leadership

Broker relationships

Education or degree

Industry designations

Education

Degree or equivalent

Insurance designations (CIP/FCIP/ACII) asset

Job description

What You’ll Be Doing

Lead the Specialty underwriting team and portfolio, translating product strategy into disciplined execution, profitable growth and outstanding broker service. The role combines people leadership, portfolio management and hands‑on underwriting responsibility across Specialty product lines.

Portfolio management

• Develop and execute annual plans for Specialty portfolios.
• Monitor premium, retention, profitability, rate, exposure and portfolio mix.
• Identify growth opportunities while maintaining underwriting discipline.
• Recommend corrective actions where portfolio performance falls outside plan.

Underwriting

• Underwrite and manage complex or strategically important accounts.
• Ensure appropriate risk selection, pricing, terms, conditions and documentation.
• Provide referrals, technical guidance and peer review to underwriters.
• Maintain compliance with underwriting authorities, governance standards and regulatory requirements.
• Underwrite and manage the broad Large Commercial and Specialty Delegated Underwriting Authority portfolio.

Strategy execution

• Translate Specialty’s strategic direction into team priorities and measurable actions.
• Support streamlined renewal approaches for suitable low-touch and no-touch business.
• Improve underwriting capacity so the team can focus on new and higher-value business.

Market engagement

• Build outstanding relationships with brokers, clients and distribution partners.
• Represent the broad Specialty capabilities in market meetings and negotiations.
• Support new-business development and retention of key accounts.
• Monitor competitor activity and communicate emerging market trends.
• Profitably expand and grow our broker lead delegated portfolios.

Cross-functional collaboration

• Partner with Claims, Actuarial, Operations, Finance, Legal, Compliance and Reinsurance.
• Ensure portfolio decisions reflect claims trends, exposure information and financial objectives.
• Contribute to country, regional and product initiatives.
• Provide clear reporting on performance, opportunities and emerging risks.
• Robust understanding of underwriting governance and delegated authority.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing underwriting team.

You will report to Head of Large Commercial Canada

What You’ll Bring

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

Required Skills And Abilities

• Significant commercial insurance underwriting experience, including Marine or Specialty products.
• Previous team leadership, coaching or supervisory experience.
• Experience managing complex accounts and broker relationships.
• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Insurance designation such as CIP, FCIP, ACII or equivalent is an asset.

Desired Skills And Capabilities

• Profitable portfolio growth and retention.
• Achievement of rate, premium and underwriting‑plan targets.
• Robust governance and underwriting‑quality outcomes.
• Increased team capability, engagement and succession readiness.
• Successful implementation of streamlined renewal processes.

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.

Learn more at axaxl.com

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 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 axaxl.com/about-us/inclusion-and-diversity. 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 enterprizing 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 axaxl.com/sustainability.

The Canada base salary range for this position is CAD (160,000 to 205,000). 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 an enterprizing 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.