Underwriter or Underwriting Specialist - Construction Property

Zurich North America; Iowa (LA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich North America is seeking an experienced Underwriting Specialist – Construction Property to join the Specialties Construction team in a hybrid role based in Chicago, Minneapolis, or Iowa Des Moines area. You will manage complex Builders Risk and Inland Marine accounts and collaborate with distributors to grow Midwest business.

The role offers flexible scheduling, market-facing duties, and opportunities for professional growth, with travel and attire to client sites as needed.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 1+ year in underwriting/market facing.
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 2+ years in Claims or Underwriting Support.
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice with Associate Degree and 1+ year in underwriting/market facing.
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice with Associate Degree and 4+ years in Claims or Underwriting Support.
• Knowledge of lines of business and regulatory guidelines
• Knowledge of time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
• Experience with Microsoft Office

Responsibilities

• Administer underwriting rules, regulations and rating annual rules.
• Develop and maintain relationships with distributors and customers.
• Provide guidance to lower level associates as needed.
• Meet with brokers and agents to determine insurance needs and solutions.
• Support sales culture by acting as a Help Point for agents and customers.
• Seek renewal and new account opportunities proactively.
• Prepare detailed opportunity assessments with distributors.
• Qualify accounts to fit appetite and opportunity.
• Make broker/customer calls with a planned purpose.
• Negotiate terms and close deals.
• Cross-sell lines of business to increase density.
• Participate in Sales Team meetings for assigned brokers/territory.
• Engage in target account process 90–120 days prior to effective date.
• Serve as Zurich contact for assigned target accounts.
• Calculate Target Price using underwriting tools.
• Measure exposures and analyze risk.
• Service accounts, handle declinations/cancellations.
• Anticipate customer needs and monitor trends.
• Travel for business as required.
• Extended hours during peak periods.

Skills

Strong verbal and writtencommunication

Construction Property insurance

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree

Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice with Associate Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Zurich is seeking an experienced Underwriting Specialist - Construction Property to join our Specialties Construction team in either our Chicago or Minneapolis office! While this position will be based out of one of these locations, you will have the flexibility to work on a hybrid basis. You will 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.

We are also open to remote candidates located in Iowa with preference in the Des Moines area.

As Construction Property Underwriter, you will handle complex new and renewal Builders Risk and Fixed Property/Inland Marine accounts and serve as a Subject Matter Expert on the team. As a member of Zurich's Underwriting Team, you will enjoy the opportunity to fully apply and hone your underwriting and marketing skills while building relationships with Select Brokers focused in the Midwest region.

In this role, you will:

• Administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws and regulations, and rating annual rules.
• Develop, maintain & collaborate with Line of Business representatives on referrals and other business related needs, as appropriate.
• May provide guidance to lower level associates.
• Develop and maintain relationships with distributors (agents & brokers) in support of business retention and acquisition and works with customers and distributors (agents & brokers) to determine their insurance related needs and provide solutions.
• Supports the sales culture by being a Help Point for agents, brokers and customers.
• Proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities.
• Complete detailed opportunity assessment with key distributors to identify growth opportunities
• Qualify accounts to meet with the organization's appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity.
• Make broker/customer and on-sight calls with a planned and well-prepared purpose
• Negotiate Terms & Conditions and close deals.
• Cross-Sell other lines of business to increase product density with the account
• Participate in Sales Team meetings as related to assigned brokers and / or territory.
• Proactively engage in the target account process, managing a qualified list of opportunities 90 to 120 days prior to effective date.
• Serve as key Zurich contact for assigned target accounts.
• Calculate Target Price accurately by utilizing underwriting tools appropriately.
• Measure exposures/analyze risk.
• Service accounts, handles declination's/cancellations.
• Anticipate customer needs, monitor trends in order to recommend changes.
• Business Travel, as required
• Extended Hours during Peak Periods, as required
• Maintain a Valid Driver's License, as required
• Regular Predictable Attendance
• Visibility in the Office, as required

This role will be filled at either an Underwriter or Underwriting Specialist 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.

Underwriter – Construction Property Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 1 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area. OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 2 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 1 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 4 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area AND
• Knowledge of line/s of business and the legal and regulatory guidelines
• Knowledge of time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
• Experience with Microsoft Office

Underwriting Specialist – Construction Property Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 3 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area or Banking, Mortgage, Finance, Construction OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 6 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 1 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area or Banking, Mortgage, Finance, Construction OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 4 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area AND
• Knowledge of line/s of business and the legal and regulatory guidelines
• Knowledge of time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
• Experience with Microsoft Office

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Construction Property insurance lines 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 $60,000.000 - $125,000.00. The proposed salary range for the Underwriter is $60,000.000 - $95,000.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 10%. The proposed salary range for the Underwriting Specialist is $75,000.000 - $125,000.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 10%.

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 - Iowa Virtual Office, AM - Minneapolis

Remote Working: Hybrid

Schedule: Full Time

Employment Sponsorship Offered: No