Underwriting Specialist, National Accounts Casualty

01705 Continental Casualty Company-Canada; Toronto; On-site; CAD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

CNA Canada in Toronto seeks an experienced casualty underwriter to manage a highly complex national accounts book. You will underwrite primary, excess and umbrella programs with cross-border exposure and advise on pricing, structure, and risk transfer.

You will collaborate with actuarial, claims, and risk control teams, lead negotiations with brokers, and mentor junior staff. A strong background in large, loss-sensitive programs and multijurisdictional risks is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; CIP/FCIP preferred.
• Eight to ten years casualty underwriting experience with national accounts exposure.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and relationship-management skills.
• Experience with large, complex programs and multinational/cross-border risk.

Responsibilities

• Underwrites highly complex casualty risks, including multi-layered programs.
• Designs customized casualty programs and manuscript endorsements.
• Determines pricing strategies based on exposure, loss drivers, and market conditions.
• Evaluates program structure, attachment points and limits for profitability.
• Negotiates terms, conditions, pricing, and structure with brokers.
• Analyzes portfolio performance and manages book strategy for growth and margin.
• Partners with actuarial, claims, risk control, and multinational teams.
• Develops and executes business development strategies with key brokers and accounts.
• Mentors junior underwriters and contributes to strategic underwriting initiatives.

Skills

Casualty underwriting

Negotiation

Analytics

Leadership

Project management

MS Office

Copilot / AI tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

CIP/FCIP designation preferred

Tools

Copilot AI tools

Job description

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential.

Individual contributor responsible for the overall management, business development, analysis, and monitoring of a highly complex National Accounts Casualty book of business. Recognized as a technical expert in large and complex casualty risks, including primary, excess and umbrella structures, loss sensitive programs, and multinational exposures. Under general management direction, operates within broad limits of authority on assignments requiring advanced technical expertise, strategic thinking, and cross-functional coordination. Scope may span regional, industry segment, or company-wide initiatives.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines.
• Underwrites highly complex casualty risks, including large, multi-layered programs involving primary, excess/umbrella, and alternative risk structures (e.g., captives, large deductibles, SIRs), using a diagnostic approach to assess acceptability.
• Designs customized casualty programs, including manuscript endorsements, coverage enhancements, and alignment across multiple lines and jurisdictions.
• Determines pricing strategies for complex risks based on exposure analysis, loss drivers, financials, and market conditions, aligned with profitability targets and underwriting authority.
• Evaluates program structure, attachment points, and limit deployment to maximize risk-adjusted returns.
• Negotiates terms, conditions, pricing, and program structure with brokers, balancing competitiveness with disciplined underwriting standards.
• Analyzes portfolio performance (rate, retention, profitability, and mix of business) and actively manages book strategy to achieve growth and margin objectives.
• Partners with actuarial, claims, risk control, and multinational teams to assess loss trends, emerging risks, and program performance.
• Develops and executes business development strategies targeting key brokers, large national accounts and complex risk opportunities, including cross-border and multiline placements.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with key brokers and clients to position CNA as a lead or meaningful participant on complex casualty programs.
• Monitors regulatory, legal, and industry developments across jurisdictions, incorporating changes into underwriting strategy.
• Mentors junior underwriters and supports technical development.
• Leads or contributes to strategic underwriting initiatives, portfolio reviews and key projects.
• Utilizes underwriting, pricing, and portfolio management tools to support decision-making and execution.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Deep technical expertise in casualty underwriting, including primary GL, umbrella/excess liability, and loss-sensitive program structures.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills with brokers, clients, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical mindset, with the ability to assess complex data, identify trends and inform underwriting strategy.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high-stakes environments requiring judgment and creativity.
• Strong ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects.
• Demonstrated leadership through influence, mentorship, and technical guidance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other business-related software.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other enterprise business tools, including responsible use of AI‑enabled technologies (such as Copilot or similar) to enhance efficiency, analysis and workflow in accordance with company policies.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; professional designations (e.g., CIP, FCIP) preferred. Typically a minimum eight to ten years casualty underwriting experience, with significant exposure to large/complex or national account business.

Our Total Rewards philosophy

Our Total Rewards philosophy reflects our commitment to building a high‑performing, inclusive culture where every team member is empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive. We value the unique strengths and perspectives each individual brings to our business, our clients, and our communities.

The base salary range for this position is $115,000 to $140,000, complemented by a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees – and their family members – achieve their physical, financial, emotional, and social wellbeing goals. Base salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location.

Please note that this posting is for an existing vacancy. At CNA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants based on job‑related qualifications and ability to perform a job. If you require an accommodation during the hiring process or upon hire, please inform Human Resources. If a selected applicant requests accommodation during the recruitment process, CNA will consult with the applicant in order to provide suitable accommodation that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs.

At CNA, we are focused on success, individually and collectively. We pride ourselves on promoting a culture that challenges and engages people. We strive to connect people, departments and business areas, to function as a team, and to serve our customers and communities with professionalism and respect. Our dedication to employee engagement, continuous learning and the open exchange of ideas is the cornerstone of our business. These ideals, combined with our focus on the customer, enable us to explore new market opportunities and build on our success. Our values, culture and financial strength are what differentiates us from other employers and make CNA the place you want to work. At CNA, we are committed to advancing a culture of inclusion – one that attracts talent from all walks of life, fosters respect and collaboration, and enables all of our colleagues to do their best work. At CNA, we have a long standing commitment to the diverse communities in which we live and work. We actively make a difference for the greater good through partnerships, sustainability, initiatives, and working together for a better tomorrow. Corporate Social Responsibility is not one person, or one department, it's the entire enterprise coming together to make the world a better place.