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

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Zurich North America is hiring an experienced E&S Excess Casualty Underwriter to join our Casualty team in Chicago or Schaumburg. You will develop broker and customer relationships, leverage underwriting expertise to price and manage risk, and collaborate across functional units in a hybrid work setting.

You could be considered for Executive Underwriter or AVP Underwriting Director based on experience, with salary ranges and bonus eligibility reflecting the level and scope of the role.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5+ years in underwriting or market facing area.
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree options.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent E&S industry experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with broker partners and customers across industries to support objectives.
• Apply casualty underwriting acumen for risk assessment, exposure evaluation and pricing.
• Collaborate across claims, finance, risk engineering and actuarial to grow the business.
• Grow relationships with preferred distribution partners in assigned territory.

Skills

Underwriting experience

Market facing experience

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree

Associates Degree

Bachelor’s Degree in E&S Insurance industry

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.

Know someone who would be a great fit for this role? Zurich North America has two talent referral programs in the US. Scroll down to learn more and submit your referral.

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

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.

Zurich in 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.

Please note: Zurich does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies. Preferred vendors should use our Recruiting Agency Portal.

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

Remote Working: Hybrid

Schedule: Full Time

Employment Sponsorship Offered: No