AVP, Property Underwriting

Aviva plc; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Leadership development

Travel up to 40%

Competitive vacation package

Job summary

Aviva U.S. seeks an AVP, Property Underwriting to lead a dedicated portfolio, drive profitability, and mentor a team of underwriting professionals. You will align strategy with governance, collaborate across product, actuarial, claims, and finance, and steward broker relationships to enable growth in a new U.S. organization.

You will balance risk and opportunity, guide complex decisions, and champion operational excellence while leveraging a hybrid work model and competitive rewards.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of commercial or specialty insurance underwriting experience with Property portfolios.
• Leadership experience coaching and developing underwriting talent.
• Strong portfolio management, pricing, risk assessment, and governance knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting strategy, execution, and financial performance for a Property portfolio.
• Develop and coach underwriting talent; manage performance and succession.
• Build broker relationships and drive growth in target markets.
• Ensure governance, risk appetite alignment, and consistent underwriting standards.
• Support strategic initiatives, budgeting, and process improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting

Portfolio management

Communication

Negotiation

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Risk Management/Insurance/Economics

Tools

CPCU

ARM

AU

AINS

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 guidance, training programs, and technical standards. Share insights and recommendations that strengthen underwriting performance and support long-term business success. Contribute to the development of innovative solutions that address evolving customer and broker needs.

What You’ll Bring

• 10+ years of commercial or specialty insurance underwriting experience, including experience managing complex Property portfolios and leading underwriting teams or mentoring underwriting talent.
• Demonstrated experience underwriting complex middle-market and large commercial Property risks.
• Prior leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, team development, or formal people management responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of portfolio management, underwriting operations, pricing, and risk assessment principles.
• Proven ability to balance profitable growth, risk selection, and underwriting discipline.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across multiple organizational levels and functions.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, Insurance, Economics, or related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Preferred Qualifications CPCU, ARM, AU, AINS, or other relevant professional insurance designation.
• Prior experience leading underwriting teams within specialty or commercial insurance organizations.
• Expertise in portfolio management, business planning, and profitability analysis.
• Established broker, agency, and distribution relationships.
• Experience leading change initiatives, process improvements, or strategic business projects.

What You’ll Gain

• Competitive base salary ranging from $180,000 - $220,000, depending on experience, qualifications, location, and market considerations.
• Compelling rewards package including base compensation, eligibility for an annual bonus, retirement savings, health benefits, and volunteer opportunities.
• Opportunity to help shape underwriting culture, talent strategy, and business growth in a newly established U.S. operation.
• Flexible hybrid work model.
• Outstanding professional development and leadership growth opportunities.
• Competitive vacation package.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 40% travel for broker and client engagements, leadership meetings, business development activities, recruitment, strategic planning sessions, and industry conferences.
• Physical Requirements: This position is primarily performed in an office or remote work environment and requires prolonged periods of computer use, communication with internal and external stakeholders, analysis of underwriting and business information, and participation in virtual and in-person meetings.
• If you require an accommodation during the interview or hiring process, please contact your Aviva Talent Acquisition Partner so that an appropriate accommodation can be arranged.
• Aviva U.S. welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and has a process in place to provide accommodations for persons with disabilities at all stages of the hiring process and during employment.

We help our 19.5 million customers to save for the future and manage the risks of everyday life. To give these customers the best possible products and service we know we must make Aviva the most attractive choice for talented, entrepreneurial people with diverse backgrounds and an evolving range of expertise and insight. So, we’re passionate about helping our 23,000 people to do the best work of their lives, to enable them to make a positive difference to the lives of our customers.