Executive Underwriter OR AVP Underwriting Director, Umbrella Excess Casualty

Zurich Insurance Group•Chicago, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Zurich is hiring an Executive Underwriter or AVP Underwriting Director for its Umbrella Excess Casualty team within National Accounts Large Property Underwriting. The position is based in the Chicago office and follows a hybrid schedule, with three days per week spent in the office or marketplace meeting with agents and brokers. The employee will partner with their manager to establish a flexible work schedule that supports the employee, customers, brokers, and agents. Under limited direction, the underwriter will handle new and renewal business using The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework and working within delegated authority levels on highly complex accounts. The role emphasizes customer focus, developing strong relationships, and maintaining a strong market-facing presence. The hiring manager will determine whether the selected candidate is placed at the Executive Underwriter or AVP Underwriting Director level based on experience and skills. The combined salary range is $110,200–$238,700. The Executive Underwriter range is $110,200–$180,500, with eligibility for a 15% short-term incentive bonus. The AVP Underwriting Director range is $145,800–$238,700, with eligibility for a 20% short-term incentive bonus. Zurich also notes that employees and their families are offered competitive pay and comprehensive benefits; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

Requirements

For Executive Underwriter: High school diploma or equivalent and at least 5 years of experience in commercial underwriting, brokerage, or a market-facing area; alternatively, a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 10 years of claims or underwriting support experience.
For Executive Underwriter: Zurich-approved apprenticeship program including an associate degree, plus at least 3 years of underwriting or market-facing experience; alternatively, the program and degree plus at least 8 years of claims or underwriting support experience.
For Executive Underwriter: Knowledge of Microsoft Office, experience working under time constraints for new and renewal business quotes, and experience working in a team environment.
For AVP Underwriting Director: High school diploma or equivalent and at least 7 years of underwriting or market-facing experience; alternatively, a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 14 years of claims or underwriting support experience.
For AVP Underwriting Director: Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree, plus at least 5 years of underwriting or market-facing experience; alternatively, the apprenticeship and degree plus at least 12 years of claims or underwriting support experience.
For AVP Underwriting Director: Experience with Microsoft Office.
Ability to develop exceptional customer relationships and maintain a strong market-facing presence.

Nice To Haves

Experience underwriting property and casualty lines.
Bachelor’s degree.
CPCU designation.
Advanced knowledge of Umbrella/Excess Casualty product lines.
Knowledge of Primary Casualty and loss-sensitive accounts.
Strong broker and customer relationships in the Chicago market.
Excellent communication skills.
Strong relationship-building skills.
Strong presentation skills.
Results-oriented approach.

Responsibilities

Proactively seek renewal and new-account opportunities.
Assess opportunities with key distributors to identify growth opportunities.
Qualify accounts against the organization’s appetite while balancing sound business opportunities.
Make planned and well-prepared calls on agents, brokers, and customers, including on-site calls.
Negotiate terms and conditions and close deals.
Cross-sell other lines of business to increase product density with accounts.
Participate in sales team meetings related to assigned brokers or territory.
Engage in the target-account process and manage a qualified list of opportunities 90 to 120 days before the effective date.
Update required systems with broker and client visit details and account status within specified time frames.
Serve as the key contact for assigned target accounts.
Develop strong broker and client networks in industries underwritten by the business unit.
Accurately calculate target prices using underwriting tools appropriately.
Underwrite new and renewal business on highly complex accounts within delegated authority levels.