Specialty Lines Underwriting Officer

Zurich North America is currently looking for a Specialty Lines Underwriting Officer for our ZNA Technical Underwriting team. This position reports to the Chief Underwriting Officer NA and can be based in one of our Zurich offices with business travel expected.

The Specialty Lines Underwriting Officer provides underwriting leadership for Specialty lines of business (D&O, E&O, Cyber, EPL, Surety and Credit) across multiple business units. This leader is responsible for driving underwriting performance, setting portfolio strategies with our business units, Product Management, and Portfolio Stewardship. This is a critical role which requires oversight of our governance framework, risk, compliance, core deliverables and strategic underwriting practices nationally.

This leader will utilize their expertise to manage, design and drive diverse multidimensional strategies for our Specialty book of business. This role will work closely with our Global Colleagues and Heads of Underwriting for the business units to deliver portfolio quality and performance measurements, technical underwriting strategies, product management and pricing that support the achievement of the financial plans for our market-facing units.  Business Unit Technical Directors, and our and requires strong leadership and influencing skills and the ability to cultivate portfolio insights and actionable underwriting plans.

Key Accountabilities:

• Develop, expand, support and advocate underwriting guidelines and priorities for Zurich Specialty lines within underwriting guidelines for Zurich.
• Identify, prioritize, and escalate portfolio management, technical skills, and product innovation needs.
• Lead the development of the Strategic Business Directives across all BU’s, which requires collaboration across Lines of Business Technical teams; effective prioritization of and engagement and participation in ongoing portfolio management activities; and implementation, monitoring and driving execution of UW actions identified through monthly engagement with product team leaders.
• Ensures effective implementation and adoption of underwriting and pricing tools; portfolio strategy; and underwriting and pricing guidelines
• Leads and drives Tiering strategy (identifying appropriate signals for all lines of business) and has a granular view of tiering results. 
• Establishes proper frameworks to drive effective outcomes for key underwriting activities, including underwriter training, productivity, empowerment, and quality.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree and 12 or more years of experience in the Property & Casualty Commercial Insurance Industry
  AND
• Supervisory or management experience
• Specialty lines of business experience

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Advanced and in-depth knowledge of Specialty lines of business,
• Portfolio management, risk selection and pricing experience
• Strong underwriting, product underwriting, and product development experience
• Experience building and implementing our key strategies
• Strong collaboration, conflict resolution, presentation and influencing skills
• Technical knowledge and multi-level leadership skills
• Experience building and managing cross functional teams
• Strong executive presence and the ability to interact across all levels of the organization
• Track record of fostering business improvement and delivering change in a complex insurance environment
• Ability to manage vision and purpose, lead the organization through innovative and creative thinking

At Zurich, compensation for roles is influenced by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. In compliance with local laws, Zurich commits to providing a fair and reasonable compensation range for each role. For more information about our Total Rewards, please click here. Additional rewards may encompass short-term incentive bonuses and merit increases. We encourage candidates with salary expectations beyond the provided range to apply as they will be considered based on their experience, skills, and education.

The compensation indicated represents a nationwide market range and has not been adjusted for geographic differentials pertaining to the location where the position may be filled. The proposed salary range for this position is $216,100–$378,300, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 35%.

As an insurance company, Zurich is subject to 18 U.S. Code § 1033.

A future with Zurich. What can go right when you apply at Zurich?

Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together. As part of a leading global organization, Zurich North America has over 150 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience. Today, Zurich North America is a leading provider of commercial property-casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals. We serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology, and we insure 90% of the Fortune 500®. Our growth strategy is not limited to our business. As an employer, we strive to provide ongoing career development opportunities, and we foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging. Be a part of the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our colleagues, our customers and the communities we serve. Zurich maintains a comprehensive employee benefits package for employees as well as eligible dependents and competitive compensation. Please click here to learn more.

Zurich in North America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. 

Zurich does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume will become the property of Zurich American Insurance. If you are a preferred vendor, please use our Recruiting Agency Portal for resume submission. 

Location(s): AM - Schaumburg
Remote Working: Hybrid
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered: No  
 
Linkedin Recruiter Tag: #LI-BK1 #LI-EXECUTIVE