Executive Underwriter OR AVP Underwriting Director - E&S Excess Casualty

Zurich NA; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 239,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and comprehensive bene

Job summary

Zurich North America seeks an experienced E&S Excess Casualty Underwriter to join the Casualty team in Chicago or Schaumburg. The role offers hybrid work with flexible schedules and exposure to national wholesalers to drive profitable growth.

The level will be Executive Underwriter or AVP Underwriting Director based on background. You will work cross-functionally, build broker relationships, and lead a profitable book while adhering to underwriting guidelines and laws.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent with 5+ years in underwriting/market facing area OR 10+ years in claims/underwriting support.
• Zurich Apprentice path with Associate Degree and experience in underwriting/market facing area OR claims/underwriting support.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent years of E&S insurance industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain broker and customer relationships across industries to support objectives.
• Apply underwriting acumen in risk assessment, exposure evaluation, and pricing for profitable business.
• Collaborate with claims, finance, risk, actuary, and other units to gain broader knowledge of the E&S space.
• Lead, coach, and develop junior team members while maintaining market presence.

Skills

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Creative problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent E&S experience

Job description

What can happen when you grow your career?
Now’s the time to take the next step and make a difference. At Zurich, we want your ideas and experiences to help us grow and create lasting change.

Zurich is currently looking to hire an experienced E&S Excess Casualty Underwriter to join our growing Casualty team in Chicago or Schaumburg! You will have the flexibility to work on a hybrid basis and partner with your manager to set a flexible work schedule that supports you, our customers, and our brokers and agents. This role will require you to be visible in the marketplace to meet with our agents and brokers. In this role you will be working with national wholesalers to drive growth with a focus on profitability.

Zurich E&S is dedicated 100% to a wholesale distribution model and a product and technology strategy designed to make Zurich a market leader in E&S as measured by gross written premium, profitability, and employee satisfaction!

This role will be filled at either an Executive Underwriter or AVP Underwriting Director level. The hiring manager will determine the appropriate level based upon the selected applicant’s experience and skillset relative to the qualifications listed for this position.

What you can expect in an E&S Excess Casualty Underwriting position at Zurich:

• You will develop and maintain relationships with broker partners and customers across all industries in support of business objectives
• You will leverage your casualty underwriting acumen across risk assessment, exposure evaluation and pricing to generate and maintain a profitable book of new and renewal business
• You will work collaboratively across business units including but not limited to; claims, finance, risk engineering, actuary, and technical underwriting while gaining extensive knowledge in a growing and innovative industry
• You will be empowered to use your market facing, negotiation and interpersonal skills to grow and develop relationships with preferred distribution partners in an assigned territory

Our E&S Excess Casualty Underwriter is responsible for:

• Serving as a customer industry advocate with a focus on improving the customer experience by understanding their risk and offering the best end to end solution for their insurance needs
• Using a disciplined approach to exposure evaluation, risk assessment and pricing
• Using risk insights, data and models to drive informed decisions at point of sale
• Market facing and production within the growing Zurich E&S Casualty division
• Administering and monitoring underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws and regulations and rating manual rules
• Working within broad limits and authorities on highly complex assignments
• Coaching, developing and empowering junior team members

Executive Underwriter Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 3 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 8 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area

OR

AVP Underwriting Director Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 7 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 14 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 12 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent years of E&S Commercial Insurance industry experience
• Technical knowledge of Excess Casualty Underwriting within the E&S space
• Established wholesale broker relationships
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply—your unique background matters to us.

The combined salary range for this position is $110,300.00 - $238,700.00. The proposed salary range for the Executive Underwriter is $110,300.00 - $180,600.00, with Global Specialty Incentive Plan bonus eligibility set at 30%.The proposed salary range for the AVP, Underwriting Director is $145,800.00 - $238,700.00, with Global Specialty Incentive Plan bonus eligibility set at 40%.

We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards here.]

Why Zurich?

At Zurich, we value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment—so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500®.

Join us for a brighter future—for yourself and our customers.

Zurich North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets.

Zurich complies with 18 U.S. Code 1033.

Location(s): AM - Chicago, AM - Schaumburg

Remote Working: Hybrid

Schedule: Full Time

Employment Sponsorship Offered: No