Underwriting Specialist

The Opportunity

Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world? Look no further than Zurich Canada.

If you have experience in commercial underwriting and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Underwriting Specialist to drive profitable growth through strong broker partnerships, disciplined underwriting, and strategic portfolio management.

Reporting to the VP, Middle Market, you will be responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of new and renewal business while serving as a trusted partner to brokers and customers. You will evaluate complex risks, structure coverage solutions, negotiate pricing and terms, and apply technical underwriting expertise to deliver profitable outcomes. In this market-facing role, you will build strong distribution relationships, identify growth opportunities, and contribute to underwriting excellence through collaboration, mentorship, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience for the future in a supportive environment where your voice matters. This posting is for an existing vacancy. 

Zurich Canada uses artificial intelligence-enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process, including the initial review and screening of applications. Artificial intelligence is not the sole basis for candidate shortlisting or selection. All hiring decisions are reviewed and made by qualified hiring professionals. 

Zurich follows a hybrid work model requiring three days per week of in-person presence, which may include time in the office or market-facing engagements.

What you will do:

•    Manage and grow a portfolio of new and renewal business while delivering profitable underwriting results.
•    Build, strengthen, and maintain relationships with brokers, agents, customers, and key distribution partners.
•    Identify, qualify, and pursue business opportunities that align with Zurich's underwriting appetite and growth objectives.
•    Analyze complex risks, evaluate exposures, and develop tailored coverage solutions that meet customer needs.
•    Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions to achieve profitable outcomes while maintaining strong broker relationships.
•    Serve as a trusted underwriting advisor, providing technical expertise and responsive support to brokers, customers, and internal stakeholders.
•    Promote Zurich's products and capabilities while identifying opportunities to increase account penetration and cross-sell additional solutions.
•    Monitor portfolio performance and apply underwriting tools, methodologies, and pricing disciplines to support business objectives.
•    Contribute to underwriting best practices, product development initiatives, underwriting guidelines, and process improvements.
•    Support strategic projects and business initiatives while helping drive operational excellence across the underwriting function.
•    Share technical expertise with colleagues and contribute to the development of underwriting talent across the team.

What you will bring:

Required Qualifications
•    High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area
And
•    Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
•    Experience working within time-sensitive quote turnaround requirements for new and renewal business.
•    Experience working in a collaborative team environment.
Preferred Experience and Capabilities
•    Demonstrated experience evaluating risk, analyzing exposures, and developing coverage solutions.
•    Experience building and managing broker relationships to drive profitable growth.
•    Proven ability to develop, negotiate, and close new and renewal business opportunities.
•    Strong understanding of underwriting principles, pricing methodologies, and risk selection.
•    Ability to balance customer needs, underwriting appetite, and profitability objectives when making business decisions.
•    Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
•    Strong relationship-building, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
•    Ability to influence business outcomes through consultative relationship management.
•    Experience contributing to process improvements, underwriting best practices, or strategic business initiatives.
•    Ability to provide technical underwriting guidance and expertise to internal and external stakeholders.

Our Culture

At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB). We want you to bring your whole self to work, and we want our employees to be reflective of the communities in which we live and work.

We value diverse perspectives and foster a collaborative environment where employees are empowered to make an impact. We offer a comprehensive rewards package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and success.

•    Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
•    Minimum four weeks of vacation annually.
•    Four personal days each year to support personal, cultural, religious, or well-being needs.
•    Access to ongoing learning and development opportunities.
•    Opportunities to support and give back to our communities.
•    Recognition as one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers and recipient of Insurance Business Canada's 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.

Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.

About Us
Zurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a multi-line insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide serving customers in global and local markets. Zurich Canada has been a leading insurance provider serving mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in the Canadian commercial market for 100 years. With over 900 employees across Canada, Zurich combines global strength with deep local market expertise.