Underwriting Specialist, or Executive Underwriter, Marine

Zurich North America; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 213,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich NA in San Francisco is seeking an experienced Underwriting Specialist or Executive Underwriter, Marine, to join our Specialties Accounts team. The role offers a hybrid schedule with in-office and market presence three days per week.

You will handle complex domestic Marine accounts, build broker/distributor relationships in Northern California, and leverage underwriting and marketing skills to support growth and retention.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 3+ years of underwriting/market facing experience.
• Alternative: 6+ years in Claims or Underwriting Support.
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice with Associate Degree and relevant experience.
• Knowledge of lines of business and regulatory guidelines.
• Experience with quotes deadlines for new/renewal business.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Administer and monitor underwriting rules, insurance laws and rating rules.
• Collaborate with Line of Business representatives on referrals and needs.
• May provide guidance to junior associates.
• Build relationships with distributors (agents/brokers) to support retention and growth.
• Support the sales culture as a Help Point for agents, brokers and customers.
• Proactively pursue renewal and new account opportunities.
• Complete detailed opportunity assessment with distributors to identify growth.
• Qualify accounts to align with appetite and opportunity.
• Make broker/customer on-site calls with a planned purpose.

Skills

Underwriting experience

Microsoft Office

Education

Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Zurich is seeking an experienced Underwriting Specialist, or Executive Underwriter, Marine to join our Specialties Accounts team in our San Francisco office. While this position will be based out of our San Francisco office, 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 and be in the office/market three days per week.

As an Underwriting Specialist, or Executive Underwriter, Marine, you will handle complex new and renewal domestic Marine accounts and will enjoy the opportunity to fully apply and hone your underwriting and marketing skills while building relationships with Select Brokers focused in the Northern California market.

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

Basic Qualifications, Specialist level:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 3 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area. 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
• 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

OR

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Technical knowledge of Marine Underwriting
• Established broker relationships (retail brokers) within the Northern California region.
• Sales execution mindset
• 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 pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The combined salary range for this position is $98,500.00- $213,300.00. The proposed salary range for the Underwriting Specialist is $98,500.00 - $161,300.00 , with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 10%. The proposed salary range for the Executive Underwriter is $130,300.00 - $213,300.00, with Global Specialty Incentive Plan bonus eligibility set at 30%.

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.

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Please note:

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

Location(s): AM - San Francisco

Remote Working: Hybrid

Schedule: Full Time

Employment Sponsorship Offered: No