Assistant Vice President Marine Insurance

Job summary

Lead the strategy and build-out of a new national Marine underwriting portfolio focusing on mid-market and multinational risks. Responsible for underwriting complex cargo and freight forwarder risks while establishing broker relationships and building a future team of underwriters.

Job details

The Opportunity A major Canadian insurance carrier is launching a brand-new Marine underwriting practice and looking for the Leader who will build it. This is a true greenfield mandate. There's no book to inherit and no legacy strategy to untangle, you'll define the appetite, build the wordings and processes, and plant the flag for Marine within a well-capitalized commercial insurance platform. You'll have access to established international Marine capability and wordings to adapt for the Canadian market, backed by the resources of a national insurer with a strong existing corporate risk and P&C portfolio. If you've ever wanted to put your name on a franchise rather than just manage someone else's, this is that chance. What You'll Be Doing Leading the strategy, build-out, and day-to-day underwriting of a new national Marine portfolio, with a focus on mid-market, large, and multinational risks Underwriting complex Marine cargo and freight forwarder risk for corporate clients (typically $200M+ in revenue), acting as the go-to technical resource on Marine for programs and MGAs Shaping underwriting appetite, tools, guidelines, and referral frameworks in partnership with technical and pricing teams Building and deepening broker relationships across Canada, this is a relationship-driven market, and your name and reputation will be central to the line's success Partnering with Underwriting, Pricing/Actuarial, Reinsurance, Claims, and Risk to keep the portfolio profitable and well-governed Cross-selling and collaborating with the broader Commercial Lines underwriting team Once the foundation is proven, building out a team of underwriters to support continued growth What You'll Bring 10+ years of commercial underwriting experience, with strong Marine and/or complex specialty lines exposure A track record underwriting and managing large, complex commercial risks Established Canadian marine market relationships and brand recognition are a real asset Comfort being externally visible, this role is as much about representing Marine in the market as underwriting it People leadership experience, including coaching and developing underwriting talent (or readiness to build a team from scratch) University degree in Business, Finance, or related field; CIP (or equivalent) required, CRM or similar an asset Strong analytical, decision-making, and communication skills Bilingualism is an asset Why This Role Autonomy: a high degree of freedom to shape underwriting approach, appetite, and broker strategy from day one Platform: the backing and resources of a major national carrier, without inheriting legacy baggage Visibility: direct, personal impact, this line's success and your name will be closely linked Growth: a mandate that starts with you and is expected to grow into a team as the book matures Compensation: competitive base salary (flexible for the right profile), meaningful annual bonus target, generous vacation and a full benefits and pension package

What you’ll do

Lead the strategy and build-out of a new national Marine underwriting portfolio focusing on mid-market and multinational risks. Responsible for underwriting complex cargo and freight forwarder risks while establishing broker relationships and building a future team of underwriters.

Requirements

Requires over 10 years of commercial underwriting experience with a strong focus on Marine or complex specialty lines. A university degree and CIP certification are required, along with a proven track record of managing large commercial risks and leading people.

Benefits

• Annual Bonus • Vacation • Health Benefits • Pension Package

Listed skills

• People leadership · Preferred
• Decision Making · Preferred
• Communication Skills · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Marine Underwriting
• Commercial Underwriting
• Portfolio Management
• Risk Assessment
• Broker Relationship Management
• Strategic Planning
• People Leadership
• Marine Cargo Underwriting
• Freight Forwarder Risk
• Technical Underwriting
• Cross-selling
• Analytical Skills
• Decision Making
• Communication Skills
• Bilingualism

Job areas

• Finance & Accounting
• Management & Leadership
• Logistics