Underwriting Quality 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 driving underwriting excellence and business compliance with expert governance, seamless collaboration, and proactive quality assurance, and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you. 

Zurich Canada is currently looking for an Underwriting Quality Specialist to join our Technical Underwriting team.
Reporting to the Head of UW quality and governance, you will be responsible for providing assurance that the underwriting businesses operate effectively, and in accordance with agreed rules and frameworks. This includes the provision of effective relationship management between local and central operations, risk-based assessment, identification and monitoring, continual improvement activity, training, and regular reporting of results, trends, due dates, and opportunities.

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

•    Provides assurance that the underwriting business operates efficiently, effectively, and in accordance with agreed rules and frameworks.
•    Effective relationship management between local and central operations, risk-based assessment, identification and monitoring, continual improvement activity, training, and regular reporting of results, trends, due dates, and opportunities. 
•    With local knowledge and expertise, provides effective liaison between Market Facing and Technical Underwriting (e.g. assisting referral dialogue), where appropriate.
•    Participate in - and leads - reviews, where appropriate.
•    Facilitates the Technical Underwriting Review process.
•    Ensures that underwriting quality review procedures are in existence, of an appropriate quality, and with supporting development and maintenance strategies.
•    Contributes to, and leads (where appropriate) the ongoing development, implementation and maintenance of governance tools and quality control peer review processes.
•    Provides consultative support and training on local governance processes and practices.
•    Contributes to the development of business effectiveness through monitoring of activity and making recommendation for change/remedial action (e.g. correct use of rating tools, and delegation and maintenance of underwriting authorities).
•    Performs analysis of quality outcomes.
•    Ensures business compliance with regulatory compliance (including Zurich Risk Policy and Multinational Insurance Proposition).
•    Facilitates and supports technical development of underwriters through competence assessment processes and underwriting review activity.
•    Provides guidance to lower-level associates and proactively supports the development of self and others.
•    Participates in Integrated Assurance Activities and actions, as appropriate, e.g. to identify key risks, identify requirements for future programs.

Job Qualifications - What you bring to the table

Required:

• Bachelors Degree and 6 or more years of experience in the Underwriting area within the Property And Casualty Insurance industry

OR

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 8 or more years of experience in the Underwriting area within the Property and Casualty Insurance industry

Preferred:

•    FCIP or other insurance designation
•    Knowledge of underwriting philosophy and techniques, risk selection, rating, and pricing concepts and how these relate to profitability
•    In-depth underwriting knowledge in one or more lines of business including underwriting procedures, and policy terms and conditions
•    Knowledge of audit, governance, and controls
•    Advanced analytical, reporting, and problem-solving skills
•    Ability to think strategically
•    Organizational, project facilitation skills
•    Strong ability to multi-task
•    Strong verbal and written communication skills
•    Experience working in a team environment
•    Results oriented
•    Audit experience
•    Experience operating in a global function

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.