Construction Underwriting Practice Leader, Canada

Hybrid Toronto

Rewarding opportunity for a motivated and experienced underwriting professional to lead our Construction Insurance portfolio in Canada. As our national leader for this business unit, your coverage responsibilities will include Course of Construction, Wrap-up Liability and Inland Marine. This position will focus on underwriting excellence, business development and portfolio optimization, providing tailored solutions to our strategic specialty insurance broker partners. You will be part of an established team in Canada, with global resources, advantages and support designed to enhance effectiveness.

Target business to span a range of risk appetites including large complex projects, conventional commercial construction, power and infrastructure development. Sectors in scope of appetite contemplate civil infrastructure, commercial, education, energy, health care, hospitality, industrial, and manufacturing. Peer collaboration with adjacent business units such as Professional Lines, Environmental Impairment and Complex Casualty will further support the success of our ambitions in the construction insurance market in Canada.

In this role, you will report to the Head of Canada Insurance and be responsible for developing a comprehensive strategy, creating a robust product offering, implementing a go-to-market plan to drive growth, and building a strong distribution network across retail channels.

As an integral member of our Canadian Leadership team, you will identify and nurture new greenfield opportunities and cross-sell within existing business lines. You will also be accountable for shaping the strategic direction of our portfolio by clearly defining our interests and establishing solid relationships within the retail distribution networks.

Additionally, as the Construction Underwriting Practice Leader for Canada, you will serve as a visible thought leader, staying informed on market trends and ensuring exceptional underwriting performance, while building and leading a highly efficient team.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate for this role has experience leading a successful Commercial Construction practice at a top-tier insurance carrier. They should have a proven track record in developing underwriting talent and maintaining relationships with distribution partners.

This leader needs a thorough understanding of underwriting principles, policy forms, and product development to implement strategies. Comprehensive knowledge of insurance policies, regulations, and managing underwriting procedures is essential.

The candidate should also possess strong executive presence, effective communication skills, and the ability to influence and inspire a team toward long-term strategic goals.

Work Profile

This role is ideal for individuals based in the Toronto area and includes certain flexibility in keeping with our hybrid work environment, where we strive to achieve top tier responsiveness and support the demands of business priorities. This role will require travel to attend industry and company events.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• In partnership with Leadership, establish our Construction Underwriting business unit, grow the market successfully and sustainably.
• Implement underwriting strategies including price adequacy, coverage, and portfolio class elements.
• Drive and align profitability, growth, and efficiencies with the organization's goals and distribution objectives.
• Underwrite, review, assess, price and negotiate policy terms and conditions for individual applicants as part of the business development journey.
• Build, Manage and lead the underwriting team, providing guidance, coaching, and support to ensure team members are meeting their goals and objectives.
• Establishing overall direction and strategic initiatives for Construction vertical solutions, including identification of new coverages and product development.
• Drive brand awareness and affinity by providing thought leadership and insight into emerging risks, trends, and opportunities to the marketplace and brokers.
• Research competitors and market conditions to develop and maintain risk selection criteria and methods that support sound underwriting risk management.
• Work closely with the enterprise leadership to identify growth opportunities and develop new business relationships.
• Build and maintain relationships with key partners and stakeholders, including brokers, agents, and reinsurers.
• Oversee the development and implementation of underwriting policies and procedures, ensuring they are up-to-date and effective.
• Monitor underwriting performance and provide regular reports to senior management, identifying areas for improvement and taking corrective action when necessary.
• Collaborate with other departments, including actuarial, claims, and finance, to ensure a cohesive and effective approach to underwriting.

Required Education/Training & Experience

• Bachelor's degree: advanced degree preferred.
• Direct technical underwriting background in the Construction space across Middle Market and Risk Management segments
• Direct background in national or regional leadership roles, establishing and supporting the growth of a portfolio of Construction Risks
• Direct success establishing and expanding retail distribution relationships.
• Direct background, leading and driving product development and market segmentation strategies and tactics.
• Market awareness of current state dynamics and complexities, and how the macro environment can be synthesized into the AXIS strategy.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data. Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
• Excellent communication and people skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders.

For this position, we currently expect to offer a base salary in the range of $200,000 CAD to $235,000 ad. Your salary offer will be based on an assessment of a variety of factors including your specific experience and work location.

In addition, you will be offered competitive target incentive compensation, with awards based on overall corporate and individual performance. On top of this, you will be eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for you and your family, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, and much more.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.