Sr. Underwriting Services & Operations Manager - Energy, Marine & Construction

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 insurance operations leadership and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Sr. Underwriting Services & Operations Manager – Energy, Marine & Construction to lead and develop our Underwriting Account Servicing team, delivering customer-specific, value-added services for large and mid-size accounts.

Reporting to the VP, Head of Multinational & National Account Underwriting Operations, you will be responsible for motivating and guiding your team to achieve operational excellence, ensuring our clients receive outstanding service, and driving continuous improvement across the Strategic Business Unit. You will also ensure that your team supports the underwriters in the end to end life cycle of accounts. Your leadership will directly influence our customer, broker, and distributor experience, and your insights will help shape our business for future growth.

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

This is a hybrid work opportunity.

What you will do

• Lead, motivate, and develop the Underwriting Account Servicing team to deliver customer-focused, value-added service for existing and new large to mid-size accounts.
• Ensure the team meets key operational performance metrics and delivers an optimal broker, agent, distributor, and customer experience.
• Ensure the team is supporting underwriters throughout the account life cycle to meet key deliverables and deadlines.
• Prepare and manage staffing budgets and propose/implement cost-effective operational solutions.
• Make staffing decisions related to hiring, training, development, and performance management, aligned with business goals.
• Conduct regular performance and career development conversations, creating robust development plans for direct reports.
• Guide staff development by identifying skills and needs, delegating tasks, and motivating the team to provide outstanding client service.
• Foster a positive, inclusive work environment that values accountability, diversity, flexibility, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Lead initiatives aimed at continuous improvement and operational performance.
• Deliver change management planning and execution (including training and communications) to support implementation of solutions and initiatives.
• Develop business requirements and participate in user acceptance testing for technology solutions.
• Build strong relationships across the business and lead team meetings and huddles.

Job Qualifications - What you will do

Bachelor’s degree and 6 or more years of experience in the Insurance, Underwriting, or Market Facing area

OR

Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice, including Associate Degree, and 6 or more years of experience in the Insurance, Underwriting, or Market Facing area

OR

High School Diploma or Equivalent and 8 or more years of experience in the Insurance, Underwriting, or Market Facing area

AND

Knowledge of the insurance industry and the legal and regulatory environment

Experience researching, compiling, analyzing, and synthesizing data and metrics

Experience working in a production and metrics-driven performance environment

Experience preparing and managing operational budgets

Proficiency with Microsoft Office

People management experience

Preferred:

Insurance certifications

Knowledge of international insurance programs

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. Our DIEB initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.
• We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is valued. We value your input and strive to give our employees the tools they need to make an impact.
• We care about our employees’ well-being and offer a comprehensive health/benefits plan with varying levels of coverage to suit your specific needs and a competitive total compensation package.
• We understand how important it is to rest, recharge and do the things you love. At Zurich, all employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year to do just that.
• We also understand that employees require time off for personal reasons. Maybe you have an appointment during a workday, a cultural or religious holiday you would like to observe, or you need time off to focus on your mental health. Zurich employees receive four personal days per year to be used at their discretion.
• We are committed to continuous improvement and offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.
• We care about our communities. Our communities are where our customers, people, and shareholders live and work. While we can be proud of the contribution to society Zurich makes through our core business of insurance, we must also give back to our communities through our talent, time and resources.
• We have won numerous awards for our workplace culture. We are proud to be one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and to have received 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 500 employees in offices across the country, Zurich offers the global strength of a top insurance provider combined with in-depth knowledge of industries and local markets. Zurich Canada aspires to be risk management professionals’ first choice as their premier partner to help meet the risk challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more at www.zurichcanada.com.