VP, Construction Underwriting, Global Specialties - Canada

Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.•Toronto, ON

27d•Hybrid

About The Position

Zurich Canada is seeking a Head of Construction to manage technical responsibility for the Construction Vertical across all segments. This role involves portfolio management, coaching, and leading technical underwriting. The position reports to the Head of Continental Europe and Canada Construction and is responsible for the Construction Vertical’s success in Canada. This is a unique opportunity to build knowledge and experience in a supportive environment. Zurich Canada uses AI tools for recruitment screening, but all hiring decisions are made by qualified professionals. The role follows a hybrid work model, requiring three days per week in-person presence.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree and 10 or more years of experience in the Underwriting, Market Facing, Broker, Carrier or Risk Management area within the Commercial Insurance industry OR Bachelors Degree with 20 or more years of experience in Claims or Underwriting Support area within the Commercial Insurance industry.
Experience in a specialized line of business or segment.
2 or more years of people management experience.

Nice To Haves

ProCAR-EAR experience required
Engineering degree a plus
Expertise in sustainable, renewable energy required
Both property and liability experience in construction required
Minimum 20 years of market experience
Minimum of 5 years people management experience, team building and strong organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, local, regional, and global
Advanced knowledge and practice of line/s of business
Strategic planning and execution experience
Strong team building and organization skills
Strong verbal and written and communication skills
Strong negotiation skills
Experience managing complex portfolios
Technical knowledge of insurance industry operations and processes
Knowledge in risk selection and strategical components of anticipating the market environment
Demonstrates strong presentation skills and a solutions and service orientation.
CIP designation
International and reinsurance experience a plus
Nuclear energy experience a plus

Responsibilities

Lead an existing talented team of Construction Underwriters, leading by example and providing necessary coaching and training to develop their careers.
Drive new business development and/or renewal business for a large region or for a line of business utilizing the strength and depth of the Zurich network.
Underwrite and analyze new and renewal business within delegated authority levels.
Administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws and regulations, and rating manual rules.
Responsible for portfolio performance, including implementing action plans after reviewing agency books of business and profit/growth results and trends.
Develop and maintain relationships with distributors (agents and brokers) to support business retention and acquisition.
Work with customers and distributors (agents & brokers) to determine their insurance-related needs and provide solutions and drive growth.
Support the organization's sales culture with brokers and customers.
Assure development and implementation of policy, procedures, and standards to produce profitable results.
Work closely with the Head of Energy, Marine and Construction Canada Global Specialties and other key stakeholders across Zurich teams in regions.
Establish and agree key performance targets and financial budgets for the underwriting unit to optimize business performance in line with set objectives.
Lead the implementation of complex projects, typically as part of a major change or business improvement initiative involving multi-disciplinary teams and timescales in excess of one year that impact underwriting.
Educate and influence senior colleagues by demonstrating the impact of all relevant policies and governance processes to own area to ensure that the business is not exposed to undue risk.
Review themes from complex analysis conducted by others to make informed, authoritative technical/professional recommendations to determine approaches to underwriting in own area to improve business performance in the medium and longer term.
Develop processes and review policies relevant to underwriting in own area to ensure they are in line with strategic business objectives.
Manage relationships with key internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for service improvement to ensure commercial viability and customer satisfaction.
Participate in leadership team meetings of assigned area to provide specialist guidance and enable the implementation of policy, projects, and change initiatives.
Contribute to the business strategy within own area to align underwriting strategy with wider business goals within a particular market.
Participate in the community of global/regional proposition development practitioners in underwriting to share best practice and continue to meet customer's needs.
Oversee development plans for underwriters across own area of business to ensure the capability exists to drive business results.
Oversee design and implementation of rating tools and methodologies to deliver value to customers whilst being commercially viable for the organization.
Business Travel, as required.