Underwriting Specialist - Zurich E&S
Zurich is currently looking to hire an experienced Underwriting Specialist – Zurich E&S to join our growing E&S Casualty team in Chicago! You will have the flexibility to work on a hybrid basis and partner with your manager to set a flexible work schedule that supports you, our customers, and our brokers and agents. This role will require you to be visible in the marketplace to meet with our agents and brokers. In this role you will be working with national wholesalers to drive growth with a focus on profitability.
Zurich E&S is dedicated 100% to a wholesale distribution model and a product and technology strategy designed to make Zurich a market leader in E&S as measured by gross written premium, profitability, and employee satisfaction!
What you can expect in an E&S Excess Casualty Underwriting position at Zurich:
- You will develop and maintain relationships with broker partners and customers across all industries in support of business objectives
- You will leverage your casualty underwriting acumen across risk assessment, exposure evaluation and pricing to generate and maintain a profitable book of new and renewal business
- You will work collaboratively across business units including but not limited to; claims, finance, risk engineering, actuary, and technical underwriting while gaining extensive knowledge in a growing and innovative industry
- You will be empowered to use your market facing, negotiation and interpersonal skills to grow and develop relationships with preferred distribution partners in an assigned territory
Our Underwriting Specialist – Zurich E&S is responsible for:
- Serving as a customer industry advocate with a focus on improving the customer experience by understanding their risk and offering the best end to end solution for their insurance needs
- Using a disciplined approach to exposure evaluation, risk assessment and pricing
- Using risk insights, data and models to drive informed decisions at point of sale
- Market facing and production within the growing Zurich E&S Casualty division
- Administering and monitoring underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws and regulations and rating manual rules
- Working within broad limits and authorities on highly complex assignments
- Coaching, developing and empowering junior team members.
Basic Requirements:
- High School Diploma or Equivalent and 3 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area.
OR - High School Diploma or Equivalent and 6 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
OR - Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 1 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area
OR - Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 4 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
AND - Knowledge of line/s of business and the legal and regulatory guidelines
- Knowledge of time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
- Experience with Microsoft Office
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent years of E&S Commercial Insurance industry experience
- Technical knowledge of Excess Casualty Underwriting within the E&S space
- Established wholesale broker relationships
- Creative problem-solving skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply—your unique background matters to us. The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The proposed Salary range for this position is $83,400.00 - $136,600.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 10%.
We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards here.]
Why Zurich?
At Zurich, we value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment—so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500®.
Join us for a brighter future—for yourself and our customers.
Zurich in North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets.
Zurich complies with 18 U.S. Code § 1033.
Please note: Zurich does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies. Preferred vendors should use our Recruiting Agency Portal.
Location(s): AM - Chicago
Remote Working: Hybrid
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered: No
Linkedin Recruiter Tag: #LI-JR1 #LI-ASSOCIATE #LI-HYBRID
Nearest Major Market: Chicago