Job Description

The OpportunityAre 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 contract surety underwriting and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Senior Surety Underwriter or Underwriter to join our dynamic Toronto Contract Surety team and contribute to our ongoing success.Reporting directly to the National Director, Core Contract Surety, and collaborating with an experienced team of underwriters, this role is both technical and market facing, requiring experience in Contract Surety lines of business. You will have the opportunity to enhance and fully apply your underwriting, financial and credit analysis, and marketing skills. You will be responsible for new business production, underwriting and retention of existing accounts under limited direction while actively engaging in the marketplace to elevate the Zurich Canada brand. Your goal will be to maximize underwriting profitability through the use of The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework within delegated authority levels on accounts of moderate technical complexity, while ensuring a high-level service to customers.This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience for the future in a supportive environment where your voice matters.The position will be filled at either the Senior Underwriter or Underwriter level commensurate with the level of experience of the candidate.This is a hybrid work opportunity.What you will do

• Production and underwriting of new and existing contract surety business.
• Serve as key contact and underwrite an assigned portfolio of accounts with a modest level of autonomy.
• Conduct thorough assessments of customer\'s financial, technical, and organizational capacity within Zurich\'s appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity, in accordance with department policies and procedures.
• Provide detailed recommendations of bond and account support utilizing your skills in financial and credit analysis.
• Proactively seek new account opportunities by managing existing and developing new relationships with key brokers.
• Make broker/customer and on-site calls with a planned and well-prepared purpose.
• Negotiate account and / or bond specific terms & conditions.
• Participate in team meetings, providing updates related to assigned portfolio of accounts, brokers, territory, and market intelligence.
• Proactively engage in the target account process, developing and managing a qualified list of opportunities.
• Internal marketing and production in support of cross-sell efforts.
• External marketing to new and existing broker partners.
• Contribute to development of underwriting manuals, programs, and guidelines.
• Regularly attend industry, broker and customer events and functions.
• Model behaviors that demonstrate commitment to corporate values.
• Provide guidance and support for team members.
• Take action to manage own personal development.
• Engage in business travel as required.
• Work extended hours during peak periods as required.
• Maintain a valid driver\'s license as required.
• Ensure regular predictable attendance.
• Maintain visibility in the office, as required.

Job Qualifications - What you bring to the tableRequired:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area, Finance, Accounting, Banking

OR

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area

OR

• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 3 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area, Finance, Accounting, Banking

OR

• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 8 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area

AND

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Experience working on time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
• Experience working in a team environment

Preferred:

• University degree or post-secondary education in finance, accounting, banking (credit) or construction-related experience.
• Industry and surety product knowledge including legal and regulatory environment.
• Understanding of broker relationship structure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience with tight deadlines for requests and new account submissions.
• Banking and / or construction industry experience (asset).
• Developer Surety experience (asset).
• Effective risk assessment skills.
• Independent and strategic thinker with strong negotiation skills.
• Confident decision-maker with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong broker relationships.
• Effective in relationship building, active listening, needs analysis, multi-tasking, and negotiation.
• High level of customer service.
• Excellent listening, verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills.

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 usZurich 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.A future with ZurichNow 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 148 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience. We are a leading provider of commercial property-casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals. Today, we serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology and insure 90% of the Fortune 500\xc2\xae. Our growth strategy is not limited to our business. As an employer, Zurich strives to provide ongoing career development opportunities and 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 people, our customers and the communities we serve.As a global company, Zurich recognizes the diversity of our workforce as an asset. We recruit talented people from a variety of backgrounds with unique perspectives that are truly welcome here. Taken together, diversity and inclusion bring us closer to our common goal: exceeding our customers\' expectations. Zurich is committed to providing a diverse, inclusive and barrier-free environment resulting in an accessible organization for employees, customers, and other parties who interact with, or on behalf of, Zurich. We strive to achieve a workplace free of discrimination of all forms, including discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disability, or medical condition. If you are interested in a job opportunity, please advise if you require an accommodation, so we can work with you to provide a more accessible process.Zurich does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume will become the property of Zurich Canadian Holdings Limited. If you are a preferred vendor, please use our Recruiting Agency Portal for resume submission.Only applicable for Canada: For Zurich Canada\'s commitment to diversity and accessibility please . If you would prefer to not receive future electronic messages from Zurich Insurance Company Ltd\'s recruitment management system, please email your request to have your job profile deleted from the system by clicking . Zurich Insurance Company Ltd 100 King St., W., Suite 5500, Toronto, ON, M5X 1C9.

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