AVP, Commercial Auto - Montreal

Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.•Montreal, QC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Zurich Canada is seeking an AVP, Commercial Auto to lead a high-performing underwriting team and drive disciplined growth across its commercial auto portfolio. This role reports to the SVP, Commercial Auto and involves leading market-facing underwriters to drive new business production, portfolio profitability, and strong broker relationships. The position is critical in shaping underwriting strategy, identifying growth opportunities, and ensuring alignment with Zurich’s risk appetite while delivering strong financial outcomes. This is an existing vacancy and offers an opportunity to build knowledge and experience in a supportive environment. Zurich Canada utilizes AI tools in its recruitment process, but all hiring decisions are made by qualified hiring professionals. The role follows a hybrid work model, requiring three days per week of in-person presence, which may include office time or market-facing engagements.

Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent and 7 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area OR Bachelor’s Degree and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area
2 or more years of management experience
Fluency in both spoken and written English is required to facilitate communication with internal and external stakeholders outside Quebec.

Responsibilities

Manage market facing underwriters who proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities.
Identifies new growth opportunities with key distributors for areas of responsibility.
Ensure that accounts are qualified, and meet with the organization's appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity.
Along with underwriters in areas supervised, make agents/broker/customer and on-sight calls with a planned and well prepared purpose.
Oversee negotiations of Terms & Conditions and closes deals.
Ensure cross-sell within areas of responsibility to increase product density with the account.
Provide continuous coaching on sales best practices.
Mentor staff to develop strong broker and client networks as related to industries underwritten by Business Unit.
Monitor Sales Funnel and Production Metrics of team.
Identify market trends and coverage exposures that may impact business results. Work with actuarial to ensure a proper rate / price structure.
Manage relationships with producers by conducting line of business, book of business, class and segment analysis to ensure profitability and growth.
Market company products and services through agency plant and brokerage community.
Support development and maintenance of agent/broker relationships to achieve profitable growth, market share, product mix, new business and account retention.
Improve customer relations, profitability and productivity by continually analyzing branch office’s new business, loss ratio, expense ratio, loss frequency, agency distribution, product mix to determine its impact on other business units.
Review agency books of business as well as profit/growth results and trends to recommend and implement action plans.