AVP Underwriting Director - E&S Casualty

Zurich Insurance Group•Chicago, NY

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

Zurich E&S is seeking a Regional Underwriting Manager for its E&S Casualty team, a new team combining the Zurich E&S Excess Casualty team with the new Zurich E&S Primary Casualty team. The role develops, coaches, and manages a high-performing regional team of Primary and Excess Casualty underwriting staff. It oversees regional performance, including new business production, policy count retention, rate and tiering execution, and portfolio management actions relative to Plan. The manager also oversees wholesale broker relationships and underwriter referrals, while maintaining a small production portfolio to stay attuned to regional market changes and desk-level challenges. The position requires travel as needed to support the team and cultivate key broker relationships within the assigned regions; travel is estimated at 25%. It is a key role in building a diversified, dynamic, and engaging team culture. The successful candidate will bring technical expertise underwriting casualty risks in the E&S segment, experience overseeing and developing underwriting talent, complex-process management skills, strong wholesale producer engagement and sales skills, and a demonstrated ability to manage a profitable portfolio. The role is available in New York City, Chicago, or Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and follows a hybrid schedule. The proposed national salary range is $150,000–$235,000, with eligibility for a Global Specialties Incentive Plan bonus set at 40%. Actual pay may vary based on location, skills, and experience. Zurich also offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families; further benefit details are not provided in the posting.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and 7 or more years of experience in underwriting or a market-facing area; OR high school diploma or equivalent and 14 or more years of experience in claims or underwriting support; OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice, including an associate’s degree, and 5 or more years of experience in underwriting or a market-facing area.
At least 2 years of management experience.
Experience with Microsoft Office.
Strong technical acumen in underwriting casualty risks in the E&S segment.
Experience overseeing and developing underwriting talent.
Ability to manage complex processes.
Strong wholesale producer engagement and sales skills.
Demonstrated ability in profitable portfolio management.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Advanced knowledge of primary casualty and/or excess casualty lines of business.
Ability to lead, manage, and build rapport with a team.
Excellent organizational, written, oral communication, and presentation skills.
Advanced knowledge of the insurance industry and legal and regulatory guidelines.
Some leadership, supervisory, or management experience.
Established producer relationships.
Advanced skills in relationship building, active listening, needs analysis, and win-win negotiating.
Strong presentation skills and a solutions- and service-oriented approach.
CPCU.
Advanced knowledge of product lines and the insurance industry.
Results-oriented approach.

Responsibilities

Develop, coach, and manage a high-performing regional team of Primary and Excess Casualty underwriting staff.
Manage regional performance, including new business production, policy count retention, rate and tiering execution, and portfolio management actions relative to Plan.
Manage regional wholesale broker relationships.
Manage underwriter referrals.
Maintain a small production portfolio to stay attuned to regional market changes and desk-level challenges.
Travel as needed, estimated at 25%, to support the team and cultivate key broker relationships within assigned regions.
Help drive a diversified, dynamic, and engaging team culture.