Underwriting Specialist, Commercial Lines

Co-operators; Winnipeg; Hybrid; CAD 105,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits & pension

Paid time off

Development programs

Job summary

Sovereign Insurance, a The Co-operators subsidiary, invites applications for an Underwriting Specialist in Commercial Lines in Winnipeg. This hybrid role requires strong underwriting judgment, broker relationship skills, and a proven track record with large accounts.

You will evaluate risk, determine coverage and premiums, support growth objectives, and collaborate with internal teams to deliver client-focused solutions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of Commercial Underwriting experience with established broker relationships.
• Experience handling both new business and renewal accounts.
• Experience in Construction, Project, Manufacturing & Processing, Wholesale, Warehousing and Transportation sectors.
• Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite large and complex account applications to determine risk, coverage, and premiums.
• Develop and maintain relationships with brokers and marketing opportunities.
• Underwrite, quote, and endorse new business and renewals in line with underwriting philosophy.
• Negotiate coverage and rates and participate in underwriting audits.
• Provide mentoring to junior underwriting team members and support cross-team projects.

Skills

Underwriting

Broker relationships

Client relationships

New business & renewals

Education

CIP designation (asset)

Job description

Requisition Number: UNDER006728

Locations

Showing 1 location

Winnipeg, MB, CAN

Description

Company: Sovereign Insurance
Department: Commercial Solutions
Employment Type: Regular Full-Time
Work Model: Hybrid (2 days in office)
Language: This role operates in English.
Additional Information: This/these role(s) is/are currently vacant

The Opportunity:

At Sovereign Insurance, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Co-operators General Insurance Company, we believe leadership is shaped by purpose, collaboration, and meaningful contribution. When you grow, we grow — your success crowns ours.

We value diverse perspectives, bold ideas, and people who lift others up. Here, your initiative matters, and your efforts help build the resilience of the Canadian businesses and communities we serve.

That shared commitment strengthens our culture and moves us forward — together. That’s the Crown Effect.

As an Underwriting Specialist, Commercial Lines you will review and evaluate large and complex account applications to determine risk, extent of coverage, and premiums. You will accept or reject applications based on established policies, procedures and standards, company philosophies and Authority Levels.

How you will create impact:

• Contributing to the profitable growth of a portfolio through underwriting expertise, service excellence, new business acquisition, renewal retention and endorsement activity, with accountability aligned to role level and authority, and in support of our target appetite and growth objectives.
• Develop and maintain new relationships with partners by marketing Sovereign’s unique value proposition and capitalizing on opportunities for viable insurance solution expansion. This includes attending client meetings, delivering presentations or workshops, attending events, as well as and engaging and connecting relevant internal stakeholders.
• Promoting, underwriting and quoting new business, renewals and endorsements in accordance with the company’s underwriting philosophy, rating, loss ratio objectives, service standards and authority levels.
• Negotiating coverage and rates and participating in underwriting audits.
• Completing necessary documentation in support of the business you handle.
• Developing and maintaining positive constructive relationships with brokers.
• Developing a team-oriented approach to meeting corporate and department goals and objectives; including written premium and profitability objectives.
• Handling branch underwriting referrals and provide mentoring / coaching to more junior underwriting team members
• Keeping current on market conditions and insurance regulations and emerging trends
• Participating in special projects in conjunction with various teams across Sovereign as required.

To join our team:

• You have 10+ years of Commercial Underwriting experience, with established broker relationships
• Proven experience working on both new business and renewal business
• You have experience in Construction, Project Business, Manufacturing & Processing, Wholesale, Warehousing and Transportation.
• Having Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation an asset.

How you will succeed:

• You thrive on delivering our exceptional client experience through positive and engaging relationships; embracing accountability to achieve effective results.
• You ensure your day to day actions are in harmony with the company’s purpose, vision, and values even when challenged.
• You are open and adaptable to changing conditions with a natural curiosity to explore and try new approaches.
• You value cooperative and collaborative dialogue because diverse perspectives offer more creative and productive solutions.

What you need to know:

• You will be subject to a Background check as a condition of employment, in the event you are the successful candidate.
• Detail oriented work that requires a high degree of mental concentration for extended periods of time.
• You will provide support to clients who are experiencing a personal or financial loss. A high degree of confidentiality and discretion is required.
• This position will operate on a hybrid work posture which will require an in-office presence of at least twice a week.

What’s in it for you?

• Room to grow with confidence — build your career, contribute your ideas, and see the impact of your work.
• A culture that values you — inclusive, collaborative, and respectful, where different perspectives are encouraged and heard.
• Rewards that recognize you and the work you do - competitive salary and variable compensation, benefits and pension, paid time off, development and recognition programs.
• Support for your well-being — a holistic approach to physical, mental, social, and financial wellness.
• Pride in purpose — being part of a Canadian organization dedicated to protecting Canadian businesses and the communities they serve while giving back through volunteering, donations, and national initiatives that help build a more sustainable future.

Salary information

“Expected salary/hourly range $104,717 - $154,700” (min-max, full range)

Salary placement

“The salary amount for the successful candidate is determined by Sovereign in its discretion and will vary depending on several criteria including but not limited to: local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualification, experience and education.”

“Employees may also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn additional compensation tied to individual and/or business performance, or other business metrics.”