AVP of Underwriting, Large Accounts

Zenith Insurance Company•Itasca, IL

14d•$190,000 - $220,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Vice President of Underwriting, Large Accounts serves as a key officer‑level leader in driving the continued evolution and expansion of our Large Accounts business. In this role, the AVP provides strategic direction and underwriting leadership for complex, multi‑state, loss‑sensitive accounts, leveraging deep technical expertise and strong broker and customer relationships to advance our growth agenda. This highly visible, externally facing position represents the organization with credibility and authority, partnering closely with senior internal stakeholders and distribution partners to strengthen market presence, elevate our value proposition, and shape a sustainable Large Accounts portfolio. While this role does not include direct reports, it requires significant influence leadership—guiding underwriting approaches, championing best practices, and helping steer strategic decisions across the business.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent combination of training/experience required
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of training/experience required
7-10+ years of progressively complex commercial lines underwriting experience, including hands-on experience focusing on national or large accounts.
Deep knowledge of coverage, rating, and technical risk selection.
Strong negotiation skills with a successful track record of building relationships with agents/brokers in the commercial insurance sector.
Expert level understanding of Zenith’s underwriting philosophy and standard industry procedure.
Expert knowledge of workers’ compensation policy rules.
Work experience demonstrating ability to champion change.
Ability to create and present a clear focused message to all constituents.
Comfortable in front of groups and able to handle questions/controversy.
Expert listener and problem-solver.
Highly skilled in building business information, disseminating it, and sharing with senior management.
Expert in workers' compensation underwriting.
Expert level understanding of the core business, strategies, and practices required to successfully run the office.
Strong oral and written communications skills used to explain, teach, and document.
Strong reading and math skills.
PC literacy required.
Data analysis skill to determine appropriate workloads and strategies for peak periods.
Strong presentation and listening skills.
Strong in data analysis.
Driver License in good standing.

Responsibilities

Serves as a senior underwriting leader and visible ambassador for Zenith’s Large Accounts Workers’ Compensation capabilities, positioning the organization as a credible and competitive partner for complex, loss sensitive business.
Applies disciplined underwriting judgment and sound risk selection within a growth mindset, balancing profitability with strategic expansion objectives.
Engages directly with brokers, agents, and customers to articulate Zenith’s underwriting philosophy, value proposition, and differentiators, supporting relationship development and new business growth.
Partners with Branch and Regional leadership to help set and execute strategic underwriting direction aligned with Large Accounts growth priorities.
Provides leadership through regular discussions focused on vision, goals, and progress, ensuring alignment across underwriting and business partners.
Drives results through thoughtful, well reasoned decisions grounded in technical expertise, business principles, and practical underwriting experience.
Fosters a collaborative, growth oriented environment that encourages teamwork, innovation, and shared accountability across underwriting teams and offices.
Leverages operational reviews and compliance audits to assess underwriting performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and reinforce underwriting discipline.
Evaluates, recommends, and, where appropriate, approves existing or new underwriting programs with significant operational or financial impact, recognizing the importance of sound judgment in a build phase environment.
Works cross functionally with leaders in Claims, Risk Control, Finance, and other disciplines to solve problems, remove obstacles, and support successful outcomes for Large Accounts business.
Provides timely coaching and feedback to underwriting and branch leadership, supporting professional development and strengthening technical capabilities.
Supports local and regional underwriting training efforts and helps establish consistent training practices aligned with Large Accounts needs.
Partners with the Underwriting Technical Director, as needed, to support the development and delivery of technical training related to loss sensitive and complex account structures.