Casualty Underwriting Specialist

Aviva has an excellent career opportunity in our Managing General Agent (MGA) underwriting team for a Casualty Underwriting Specialist. Your focus and responsibilities will be to support existing MGA growth and profitability by establishing positive relationships with MGA partners through meetings, referrals, audits, as well as contract management. In addition, you will participate in the decision-making process and lead all aspects of the onboarding of new MGA partners. You will work closely with underwriting specialists and senior management within the broader Global Corporate Specialty team. The role will be client facing under a national mandate to support our MGA partners in all provinces by providing outstanding technical expertise.

You must be able to operate at both a macro and micro level in support of our MGA partners while achieving the department’s business objectives. Success in this role will require you to leverage your ability to collaborate effectively as a team player with internal and external stakeholders, such as customers, partners, members of other Aviva underwriting teams, and various legal, risk, and audit functions.

You will build a climate of partnership and negotiation to promote the value of Aviva and support the Aviva Commercial Value Proposition. As a subject matter expert, you’ll maintain awareness of market trends and conditions with respect to price levels and legal trends on program segments, and of MGA management initiatives.

This position will report into the MGA Leader

What you'll do

• Qualify and underwrite non-standard or difficult to place Casualty risks, as per Aviva MGA appetite and framework.
• Build and maintain proven business relationships with MGA partners through regular touchpoints and the provision of superior customer service.
• Provide underwriting support for existing MGA partners, including underwriting audits, risk referrals, and wording reviews.
• Drive growth through new business development opportunities.
• Participate in and/or lead quarterly business review with an MGA’s leadership and underwriting teams.
• Collaborate with various internal stakeholders to draft and update MGA contracts, achieve compliance goals, and ensure sufficient risk management and controls in place.
• Provide MGA portfolio steering recommendations to drive profits, manage controls, and enhance partnerships.

What you'll bring

What is required:

• 5 plus years of technical commercial lines Casualty underwriting experience;
• Technical knowledge of complex Casualty risks and exposures;
• Proficiency in applying highly specialized knowledge and expertise to non-standard risks;
• Proven marketing and relationship building skills with internal and external partners;
• Strong pipeline management/sales consultation skills;
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills;
• Strong leadership, negotiation and influencing skills;
• Ability to identify and effectively articulate barriers in workflows or specific accounts with leadership;
• Ability to problem solve and to make/implement decisions.

What is a strong asset:

• A University degree or equivalent experience in Commercial Insurance;
• A CIP designation (or being enrolled in the program);
• Functional knowledge of the French language;
• Professional and collaborative attitude;
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment;
• A passion for seeking opportunities to improve MGA/customer experience.

What you’ll get

• Please note that individual salary is determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as internal equity.
• The compelling rewards package includes base compensation, eligibility for annual bonus, retirement savings, share plan, health benefits, personal wellness, and volunteer opportunities.
• Outstanding Career Development opportunities in a large organization of over 4,500 employees.
• We’ll support your professional development education.
• Competitive vacation package with the option to purchase 5 extra days off per year.
• Employee driven programs focused on gender, LGBTQ+, origins, diversity, and inclusion.
• Corporate wellness programs to support our employees’ physical and mental health.
• Hybrid flexible work model.

Aviva Canada has an accommodation process in place to provide accommodations for employees with disabilities. If upon commencement of employment you require a specific accommodation because of a disability, please contact your Talent Acquisition Partner so that an appropriate accommodation can be arranged. This process applies throughout your career with Aviva Canada.