Manager, Underwriting Member & Co-operative Business

Company: Sovereign Insurance Department: SOV - UW, Member & Coop Employment Type: Regular Full-Time Work Model: Hybrid (2 days in office) Language: English is required, French is an asset.

The Opportunity:

At Sovereign Insurance, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Co-operators General Insurance Company, we believe leadership is shaped by purpose, collaboration, and meaningful contribution. When you grow, we grow - your success crowns ours.

We value diverse perspectives, bold ideas, and people who lift others up. Here, your initiative matters, and your efforts help build the resilience of the Canadian businesses and communities we serve.

That shared commitment strengthens our culture and moves us forward - together. That’s the Crown Effect.

The Manager, Underwriting Member & Co-operative Business leads the underwriting function for a specialized portfolio, ensuring profitable growth, sound risk management, and exceptional service delivery. This role is responsible for providing leadership to the underwriting team, overseeing portfolio performance, driving operational excellence and business transformation initiatives, managing complex underwriting risks, and fostering strong relationships with brokers, clients, and internal stakeholders. The Manager plays a key role in developing team capabilities, maintaining underwriting governance standards, and supporting the organization's strategic objectives.

How you will create impact: 

• Oversees the performance, quality, profitability, and risk management of the Member and Co-operative Business underwriting portfolio.
• Ensures consistent underwriting practices and sound decision-making through the application of established guidelines, referral processes, and risk controls.
• Develops and executes underwriting strategies, business plans, and budgets to achieve growth and profitability objectives.
• Leverages underwriting data, analytics, and technology to drive operational efficiency, productivity, and continuous improvement.
• Leads the implementation of new systems, processes, governance standards, and transformation initiatives to support business objectives.
• Provides underwriting oversight and technical expertise on large, complex, and high-value accounts while collaborating with brokers and internal business partners.
• Leads, coaches, and develops a high-performing team through talent acquisition, performance management, technical guidance, and employee development.

To join our team:  

• College diploma or post-secondary education in Business Administration or a related field.
• CIP designation and 10+ years of progressive experience in Commercial Property & Casualty insurance, including commercial underwriting responsibilities.
• Proven people leadership experience with the ability to coach, develop, motivate, and lead teams through change and transformation.
• Strong commercial underwriting expertise with the ability to assess complex risks, apply underwriting guidelines, and make sound portfolio and risk management decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage data, analytics, and business insights to support decision-making, drive performance, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with brokers, clients, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen with knowledge of portfolio management, underwriting governance, risk controls, compliance requirements, and broker relationship management.
• Exceptional organizational, planning, and execution skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and lead operational and strategic initiatives.
• Experience managing complex books of business and an understanding of member-owned and co-operative business structures would be considered a strong asset.

How you will succeed:

• You build trusting relationships and provide feedback to enable the successful development of your team and colleagues.
• You foster innovation and continuous improvement with a focus on client experience.
• You facilitate the adoption of change and create a high-performance culture through alignment of your team’s work with organizational goals.
• You successfully convey messages and demonstrate openness to exploring alternative points of view.
• You use critical thinking to guide decision making.

What you need to know:

• This role involves extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and working at a desk while reviewing information and using computer systems.
• Occasional travel may be required, including direct interaction with brokers, clients and service providers.
• You will be subject to a Background check as a condition of employment, in the event you are the successful candidate.

What’s in it for you?

• Room to grow with confidence - build your career, contribute your ideas, and see the impact of your work.
• A culture that values you - inclusive, collaborative, and respectful, where different perspectives are encouraged and heard.
• Rewards that recognize you and the work you do - competitive salary and variable compensation, benefits and pension, paid time off, development and recognition programs.
• Support for your well-being - a holistic approach to physical, mental, social, and financial wellness.
• Pride in purpose - being part of a Canadian organization dedicated to protecting Canadian businesses and the communities they serve while giving back through volunteering, donations, and national initiatives that help build a more sustainable future.

Salary information​

Expected salary range $100,000 to $150,000

Salary placement​

The salary amount for the successful candidate is determined by Sovereign in its discretion and will vary depending on several criteria including but not limited to: local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualification, experience and education.​

Incentive pay ​

Employees may also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn additional compensation tied to individual and/or business performance, or other business metrics.