Executive Underwriter OR AVP Underwriting Director - Marine

Zurich North America; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 271,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich North America seeks a Zurich Specialty Marine Underwriter in New York to analyze and underwrite ocean marine liability business, build strong broker and customer partnerships, and apply the Zurich Way of Underwriting to assignments of moderate complexity.

You will partner with distributors, brokers, and customers to identify opportunities, deliver high service levels, and advance growth in the Marine portfolio, with consideration for Executive Underwriter or AVP Underwriting Director

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent with 5+ years in Underwriting or Market Facing, or 10+ years in Claims or Underwriting Support.
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice with an Associate Degree and 3+ years in Underwriting or Market Facing, or 8+ years in Claims or Underwriting Support.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Experience meeting quotes deadlines for new and renewal business
• Experience working in a team environment

Responsibilities

• Administer and monitor underwriting rules, rating manuals, and insurance laws and regulations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with distributors to support retention and acquisition.
• Serve as a Help Point for agents, brokers, and customers to support sales culture.
• Proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities.
• Conduct on-site calls with a planned purpose.
• Cross-sell other lines of business to increase product density.

Skills

Underwriting

Relationship-building

Market-facing

Negotiation

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

As a Zurich Specialty Marine Underwriter, you’ll have the opportunity to combine your technical underwriting expertise, market-facing skills, and relationship-building strengths to help grow and manage a profitable Ocean Marine portfolio.

You will analyze and underwrite new and renewal marine liability business while building strong partnerships with brokers, agents, and customers.

Working with limited direction and within delegated authority levels, you’ll apply The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework to assignments of moderate technical complexity. This role offers the opportunity to make sound underwriting decisions, identify new business opportunities, strengthen key distribution relationships, and deliver a high level of service to customers.

If you enjoy balancing technical underwriting with relationship management and business development, this role provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the Marine market.

Some of the key accountabilities of this role include:

• Administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, rating manual rules, and insurance laws and regulations.
• Develop, maintain, and collaborate with Line of Business representatives to support business-related needs, as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with distributors (agents & brokers) in support of business retention and acquisition. Partner with customers and distributors to understand their insurance-related needs and provide solutions.
• Support the organization’s sales culture by serving as a Help Point for agents, brokers, and customers.
• Proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities.
• Complete detailed opportunity assessments with key distributors to identify growth opportunities.
• Qualify accounts to align with the organization’s appetite while balancing sound business opportunities.
• Conduct broker/customer and on-site calls with a planned and well-prepared purpose.
• Cross-sell other lines of business to increase the organization’s product density within the account.

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

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

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
• Knowledge of Marine underwriting
• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong relationship-building, active listening, needs analysis, and win‑win negotiation skills
• Demonstrated presentation skills with a strong solutions and service orientation
• Knowledge of underwriting philosophy, techniques, and national/local filing regulations and guidelines

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 $125,300.00 - $271,300.00. The proposed salary range for the Executive Underwriter is $125,300.00 - $205,100.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 15% The proposed salary range for the AVP Underwriting Director is $165,600.00 - $271,300.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 20%.

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 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.

Location(s): AM - New York

Remote Working: Hybrid

Schedule: Full Time

Employment Sponsorship Offered: No