As Underwriting Manager you will lead the Middle Market underwriting team focusing on property and casualty package for mid-sized businesses across Canada. Working with brokers and clients across a diverse range of industries, you will help deliver tailored P&C solutions that reflect each client’s operations, exposures and evolving risk needs. You will combine strong technical underwriting judgment, market insight and portfolio leadership to translate strategy into disciplined execution, strengthen broker relationships and support profitable growth. In partnership with Claims, Risk Consulting, Actuarial, Pricing and other colleagues across the Americas, you will guide complex underwriting decisions and help provide responsive, coordinated service throughout the client relationship.
What you’ll be doing
Your key responsibilities will include:
Strategic
- Contribute to the Americas Middle Market P&C operating plan and shape the strategy for Middle Market across Canada, aligning portfolio priorities with business objectives, market conditions and risk appetite.
- Influence the market and portfolio approach for middle market package, using external trends, claims insights and emerging-risk analysis to identify profitable growth opportunities and areas requiring corrective action.
- Provide authoritative advice to senior leaders on complex underwriting, portfolio and market matters, representing the needs of property & casualty in cross-functional planning and decision-making.
Operational
- Provide technical oversight of new and renewal business and act as a senior escalation point for complex, unprecedented or high-impact accounts, referrals, coverage questions and portfolio issues.
- Deploy underwriting capacity, authority, talent and resources in line with risk appetite, business objectives and annual plans, coordinating with Claims, Risk Consulting, Actuarial, Pricing, Legal, Compliance, Operations and Reinsurance as needed.
- Create a high-performing and inclusive environment through clear accountability, effective delegation, regular coaching, performance management, succession planning and development of technical and commercial capability.
- Establish and reinforce underwriting governance, controls and performance standards, including referrals, documentation, pricing discipline, file quality, regulatory compliance and service delivery.
- Monitor team and portfolio performance against key performance indicators, address execution gaps and coordinate resources across Canada to deliver consistent and responsive broker and client service.
You will report to the Head of Middle Market Data Analytics and Product.
What you’ll bring
We are looking for a senior people leader who combines strategic influence, commercial judgment and deep technical underwriting expertise across property & casualty.
People Skills:
- Leading Teams: Holds self and the team accountable for ambitious results, delegates effectively, uses resources strategically and enables teams to work together toward common goals.
- Inspirational Vision and Strategy: Guides teams toward a clear future direction grounded in market understanding, data and foresight, adjusting course as business and customer insights evolve.
- Influence: Uses appropriate techniques, organizational insight and professional networks to shape decisions, build alignment and drive change.
Business Skills:
- Commercial and Sales Acumen: Applies business knowledge and strategic thinking to strengthen broker engagement, drive profitable revenue and achieve sustainable growth objectives.
- Strategic Business Development: Builds long-term client and broker partnerships, evaluates opportunities for profitable growth and ensures decisions align with business objectives, future risk and long-term value.
- Data Driven Decision Making: Uses relevant data effectively to inform priorities, underwriting decisions, portfolio actions and performance improvement.
Technical Skills:
- Underwriting Acumen: Analyzes complex property & casualty risks, evaluates pricing and policy terms, and provides strategic direction for new and renewal underwriting decisions.
- Portfolio Management: Strategically manages and optimizes the portfolio across market cycles to achieve company objectives, control risk and maximize sustainable profitability.
- Contract Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluates insurance contracts and interprets terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions to align coverage with underwriting guidelines, risk appetite and client needs.
Who we are
AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it.
How? By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business − property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty.
With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward.
Learn more at axaxl.com.
What we offer
Inclusion
AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture enables business growth and is critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another - and our business - to move forward and succeed.
- Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.
- Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
- Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits
- Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
- Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter
Learn more at Inclusion & Diversity at AXA XL | AXA XL. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Total Rewards
AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides enterprising compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do.
We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence.
Sustainability
At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future. Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.
Our Pillars:
- Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.
- Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.
- Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
- AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving.
For more information, please see Sustainability at AXA XL.
The Canada base salary range for this position is CAD 138,500-207,700.
Actual pay will be determined based upon the individual’s skills, experience and location. We strive for market alignment and internal equity with our colleagues’ pay.
At AXA XL, we know how important physical, mental, and financial health are to our employees, which is why we are proud to offer benefits such as an enterprising retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and many other benefits. We also believe in fostering our colleagues' development and offer a wide range of learning opportunities for colleagues to hone their professional skills and to position themselves for the next step of their careers.
