Executive Underwriter OR AVP, Underwriting Director, Energy Casualty

Zurich North America; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich North America is hiring an Executive Underwriter or AVP, Underwriting Director for Energy Casualty to join a growing team. This role combines underwriting expertise with leadership, marketing, and client engagement to drive profitable growth.

The role involves applying underwriting frameworks, mentoring staff, and partnering with distribution to deliver end-to-end insurance solutions. Travel and flexible location support are expected to cover NY and Houston markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred for Energy Casualty underwriting leadership roles.
• Experience in Energy Casualty underwriting or related field advantageous.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Market facing and production including client stewardship and broker visits.
• Manage and develop robust new business and cross-sell pipeline.
• Mentor and guide early-career team members on coverage issues and pricing methods.
• Lead risk evaluation, pricing, and documentation with a disciplined approach.
• Travel 15–20% for marketing, business development, and client engagement events.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Zurich is hiring an experienced Executive Underwriter OR AVP, Underwriting Director, Energy Casualty to join our quickly growing and dynamic Energy Casualty team. Underwriting at Zurich offers a rewarding and empowered environment that allows underwriters to exercise both quantitative & qualitative reasoning skill sets, in addition to exposure to a wide range of experiences, allowing the underwriter to build a rewarding & diverse career journey.

As a member of the Energy Casualty team, the Executive Underwriter OR AVP, Underwriting Director, Energy will enjoy the opportunity to fully apply & hone underwriting, marketing and leadership skills while leveraging relationships with our key distribution partners. In this role, you will market, analyze, and underwrite primary casualty risks. This includes soliciting and underwriting new and renewal business to drive profitable growth. In addition, and under minimal direction, you will utilize The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework as a subject matter expert and ensure a high-level service to customers. As an Executive OR AVP Underwriter, you will serve as a leader and mentor to the team offering technical guidance on critical coverage issues, program structure customization, and pricing methodologies.

Zurich Energy is a leading provider of insurance solutions in the Energy industry and has supported Energy clients for over 30 years. By providing a broad array of products and services, we work with our customers to support their key business goals, while assisting to reduce their overall cost of risk. Our team of experienced underwriting specialists strive to provide solutions to address today’s challenges and collaborate with clients to address emerging risks.

The team is primarily based out of Houston, but we are open to qualified talent in New York as well. A requirement of this position includes travel (15-20% travel commitment) comprised of targeted marketing, business development, and client engagement events.

Responsibilities include:

• Market facing and production, including onsite client stewardship and broker visits
• Management and development of robust new business and cross-sell pipeline
• Serve as a customer 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
• Deliver a disciplined & thorough approach to exposure evaluation, risk assessment, pricing, and documentation
• Use risk insights, data and models to drive informed underwriting decisions at point of sale
• Develop & define program structure recommendations, including G. Cost & Loss Sensitive solutions, based on risk characteristics
• Prepare and present comprehensive referrals, as necessary
• Working independently, negotiate and deliver successful outcomes to the agent/broker
• Administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws and regulations
• Work within broad limits and authorities on highly complex assignments
• Manage key portfolio indicators within assigned territory, including Gross Written Premium, Retention, Rate, & Profitability
• Opportunity to mentor & coach early-career team members
• Visibility at industry events and contributions supporting long term strategy development and vision

Basic Qualifications, Executive Underwriter Level:

• 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 AND
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Experience working on time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
• Experience working in a team environment

or

AVP Energy Casualty Underwriter Basic 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 AND
• Proficiency of Microsoft Office
• Competence working within time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
• Experience working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Energy Casualty, or Casualty-driven underwriting experience, including Guaranteed Cost & Loss Sensitive
• Existing network and familiarity within the Energy Casualty brokerage & client community
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Sales execution mindset
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Microsoft Office experience

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 pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The combined salary range for this position is $100,000.00 - $215,000.00. The proposed salary range for the Executive Underwriter is $100,000.00 - $165,000.00, with Global Specialty Incentive Plan bonus eligibility set at 30%. The proposed salary range for the AVP, Underwriting Director is $130,000.00 - $215,000.00, 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.

• 1033.

Location(s): AM - New York, AM - Houston

Remote Working: Hybrid

Schedule: Full Time

Employment Sponsorship Offered: No