AVP, Property Underwriting

Aviva; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Aviva is expanding its U.S. presence and seeking an AVP, Property Underwriting to lead an assigned portfolio with a focus on growth, profitability, and risk management.

The role requires directing underwriting authority, guiding complex risk decisions, and building a high-performing team that delivers sustainable, profitable growth. You will collaborate with Product, Actuarial, Claims, Distribution, Finance, Operations, and Compliance to translate strategy into actionable underwriting priorities

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of underwriting teams in a large insurer.
• Strong portfolio management and performance optimization.
• Excellent negotiation with brokers and distribution partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the underwriting strategy, execution, and financial performance of an assigned Property portfolio, including premium growth, profitability, retention, rate adequacy, exposure management, and underwriting quality.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of underwriting professionals, fostering accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with brokers, agents, clients, and distribution partners; negotiate complex opportunities.
• Ensure consistent application of underwriting guidelines, authority frameworks, and governance requirements; participate in audits and compliance activities.
• Monitor market conditions, emerging risks, and regulatory developments; serve as a subject matter expert for complex Property underwriting matters.

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting expertise

Commercial acumen

Job description

Experience Aviva

Individually, we are people, but together we are Aviva. Individually, these are just words, but together they are our Values: Care, Commitment, Community, and Confidence.

At Aviva, we help customers build resilience and move forward with confidence. We foster an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, innovation is encouraged, and colleagues are empowered to grow their careers while making a meaningful impact.

As we establish Aviva's presence in the United States, we're seeking talented individuals inspired to build, shape, and lead this new organization. Joining Aviva U.S. means stepping onto the ground floor of a thoughtfully designed Commercial Insurance organization built for the long term, blending underwriting heritage, disciplined execution, and capital strength with agility, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking.

The Opportunity

As an AVP, Property Underwriting, you will serve as a key member of the Property leadership team with responsibility for leading an assigned underwriting segment, driving portfolio performance, developing underwriting talent, and executing Aviva's underwriting strategy.

This role combines advanced technical underwriting expertise with people leadership and business management accountability. You will own underwriting results for your assigned portfolio, including premium growth, profitability, retention, underwriting quality, and exposure management, while leading and developing a team of underwriting professionals.

As the delegated business leader for your segment, you will exercise significant underwriting authority, provide guidance on complex risks, oversee underwriting referrals, and ensure consistent application of underwriting policies, governance standards, and risk appetite. You will translate enterprise and Property strategies into actionable underwriting priorities and collaborate closely with Product, Actuarial, Claims, Distribution, Finance, Operations, and Compliance partners to achieve business objectives.

The successful candidate combines strong leadership capabilities, deep underwriting expertise, commercial acumen, and a passion for building high-performing teams and delivering sustainable, profitable growth.

What You'll Do

Underwriting Leadership & Portfolio Management

Lead the underwriting strategy, execution, and financial performance of an assigned Property portfolio, including premium growth, profitability, retention, rate adequacy, exposure management, and underwriting quality.

Establish portfolio objectives and monitor performance against business plan targets, making adjustments as market conditions evolve.

Evaluate and approve complex underwriting decisions within delegated authority while providing guidance on referrals and challenging risk scenarios.

Ensure underwriting decisions align with Aviva's risk appetite, governance standards, and strategic objectives.

Lead portfolio reviews and identify opportunities to improve underwriting profitability, growth, and risk selection.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

Lead, coach, and develop a team of underwriting professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Establish clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.

Conduct performance reviews, succession planning discussions, and talent assessments.

Partner with leadership on hiring, onboarding, workforce planning, and retention initiatives.

Serve as a mentor and technical resource, helping develop future underwriting leaders.

Business Development & Broker Management

Build and maintain strategic relationships with brokers, agents, clients, and distribution partners.

Lead broker stewardship meetings, negotiate complex opportunities, and support growth objectives within target markets.

Identify new business opportunities and market expansion initiatives that support profitable growth.

Represent Aviva in the marketplace through industry events, broker meetings, and professional organizations.

Partner with Distribution leaders to strengthen market visibility and broker engagement.

Governance, Strategy & Operational Excellence

Ensure consistent application of underwriting guidelines, authority frameworks, and governance requirements.

Support underwriting audits, quality assurance reviews, and compliance activities.

Partner with senior leaders to enhance underwriting strategies, risk appetite, products, and operational processes.

Participate in strategic initiatives, business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and technology-enabled underwriting improvements.

Drive operational efficiency, customer service excellence, and adoption of best practices across the team.

Market & Technical Leadership

Monitor market conditions, emerging risks, competitive trends, and regulatory developments.

Serve as a subject matter expert for complex Property underwriting matters.

Support development of underwriting