Underwriting Specialist, Property

Zurich NA; Quebec, Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Property Underwriting Specialist to join its collaborative team. This hybrid role offers the chance to manage complex property accounts while fostering relationships with brokers and clients. With a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, the company provides a supportive environment where your contributions are valued. Enjoy a competitive benefits package, including generous vacation time and ongoing professional development opportunities. If you're passionate about underwriting and looking for a fulfilling career in a dynamic environment, this is the opportunity for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and benefits plan

Minimum of four weeks of vacation annually

Four personal days per year

Access to training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Underwriting or Market Facing roles required.
• Fluency in French and English is essential for communication.
• Experience in Property underwriting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite a complex property insurance portfolio.
• Build trust-based relationships with brokers and clients.
• Provide technical advice and mentorship to junior underwriters.

Skills

Underwriting

Communication Skills

Business Acumen

Teamwork

Time Management

Fluency in French

Fluency in English

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Associate Degree

CIP Designation

Tools

Microsoft Office

CAT Modeling

Job description

Underwriting Specialist, Property

121937

The Opportunity

Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world? Look no further than Zurich Canada.

If you have experience in Property Underwriting and are seeking a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Property Underwriting Specialist.

Reporting to the Vice President, National Property Eastern Region, you will establish and foster broker and customer relationships while underwriting a profitable renewal portfolio of complex, large property customers with revenues exceeding $300M. Supported by a dedicated local team of Underwriting Associates, Risk Engineers, Multinational Service Specialists, and an industry-leading claims team, this is your opportunity to join a growing and highly successful organization.

This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience in a supportive environment where your voice matters.

This is a hybrid work opportunity.

What you will do

1. Navigate complex program structures and manage these accounts.
2. Develop your skills in technical risks and catastrophe management.
3. Demonstrate strong decision-making skills and the ability to find creative underwriting solutions.
4. Underwrite a complex property insurance portfolio, including natural catastrophe modeling.
5. Utilize and evaluate data through underwriting tools, including catastrophe modeling.
6. Prepare submissions, structure programs, and offer proposals in line with guidelines.
7. Interpret risk engineering reports and associated recommendations.
8. Ensure contractual certainty of submissions and policy wording.
9. Input and maintain risk information in internal systems to ensure data integrity.
10. Build trust-based relationships with brokers and clients across various industry segments.
11. Create a portfolio of target new business with key brokerage partners.
12. Collaborate with and encourage involvement from functional areas in the underwriting process (risk engineering, claims, actuarial, finance, distribution, and others).
13. Provide technical advice, support, and training to junior underwriters. Act as a mentor.

Our Culture

• At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging (DIEB). We want you to bring your whole self to work, and we want our employees to reflect the communities in which we live and work. Our DIEB initiatives foster an inclusive environment.

• We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is valued. We value your input and strive to equip our employees to make an impact.

• We care about our employees’ well-being and offer a comprehensive health and benefits plan tailored to your needs, along with a competitive total compensation package.

• We recognize the importance of rest and personal time. All employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation annually and four personal days per year for personal or cultural reasons.

• We are committed to continuous improvement, providing access to a broad range of training and development opportunities.

• We care about our communities. Our contributions extend beyond business through talent, time, and resources.

• We have received numerous awards for our workplace culture, including being named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and receiving Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award.

Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.

Job Qualifications

What you bring to the table

Required:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10+ years of experience in Underwriting or Market Facing roles.
• OR High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10+ years in Claims or Underwriting Support.
• OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice with an Associate Degree and 5+ years in Underwriting or Market Facing roles.
• OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice with an Associate Degree and 12+ years in Claims or Underwriting Support.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Experience managing time constraints for quotes on new and renewal business.
• Experience working in a team environment.
• Strong business acumen and communication skills.
• Fluent in French and English.

Preferred:

• Minimum of 10 years underwriting or broking experience within Property.
• Completed or pursuing CIP designation.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• CAT modeling experience.
• Cross-border and international experience.
• Experience with non-standard or manuscript wording.
• Primary or excess insurance experience.
• Technical risks specialization.
• Strong presentation skills.

Note: Fluency in both spoken and written English is required for effective communication with internal and external stakeholders outside Quebec.

About Us

Zurich Canada is part of Zurich Insurance Group, a global insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide. We have been serving Canadian mid-sized and large companies, including multinationals, for over 100 years. With over 500 employees across the country, Zurich combines global strength with deep industry and local market knowledge. We aspire to be our clients’ first choice for risk management solutions. Learn more at www.zurichcanada.com.

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