Manager, Underwriting Special Lines

#LI-Hybrid

Company: CGIC
Department: Commercial and Farm
Employment Type: Regular Full-Time
Work Model: Hybrid (2 days in office)
Language: English is required, French is an asset.
Additional Information: This/these role(s) is/are currently vacant

The Opportunity:

We are a leading Canadian financial services co-operative committed to being a catalyst for a sustainable and resilient society and our team is essential to deliver on this strategy. That’s why we prioritize our people, to ensure we provide a strong culture and development opportunities which enables our team to thrive and to live our purpose. The best part is that you will work with people that care passionately about you, our clients and our communities.

Our Farm & Commercial insurance team aspires to be the industry leader by meeting the evolving needs of Canadian businesses and farm operations. Our passionate team is committed to enhancing the client experience and delivering operational efficiencies by investing in leading edge technology and leveraging analytics to achieve strategic objectives.

As the Manager, Underwriting (Special Lines) you will be accountable for the oversight and implementation of underwriting programs through the management of underwriting teams in Commercial and Farm product lines. You will provide leadership and guidance to leaders of underwriting staff to ensure the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective service to field operations teams and clients. You will implement plans and programs that will contribute to planned growth, loss ratio, and expense ratio goals. You will be responsible for enhancing the effectiveness of underwriting delivery to distribution partners through the consistent achievement of service standards. You will be responsible for a team of direct reports as well as a team of 100+ indirect reports that report to them.

How you will create impact:

• Supporting the development and management of high-performing teams by recruiting, training, coaching, assessing, motivating, and supporting. Promoting a positive and efficient work environment for management and employees, supporting the delivery of process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Implementing strategic direction, managing the implementation of multiple changes within operational business units while minimizing service and staff impacts and ensuring a consistent level of quality service and improvement results.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with Product, Retail Sales, agency and contact centre teams through effective communication and the successful execution of underwriting and portfolio profitability programs in support of profitability and growth targets.
• Ensuring underwriting decision-making processes and consultations across all product lines is consistent and considerate of client profitability and growth expectations.
• Developing, monitoring, measuring and reporting on plans and budgets for Special Lines Underwriting teams along with successfully implementing and evaluating both progress and benefit realization of plans.
• Acting as the authority for final decisions on underwriting questions and issues.

To join our team:

• You have minimum five (5) years in a leadership role in Underwriting or in Special Lines (Commercial and Farm) Underwriting.
• You have a University degree within business, commerce or technology or demonstrated equivalent work experience.
• You have Accreditation with Insurance Institute of Canada. You have or are working towards the CIP designation.
• You have direct leadership experience leading teams.
• You have demonstrated ability and proven results in developing, building and maintaining strong and effective teams.
• You have demonstrated ability in verbal and written communication for presentations, workshops, business cases, etc.
• You have demonstrated ability to develop, build and maintain strong working relationships across cross-functional teams
• You have functional knowledge of insurance products, underwriting principles and processes.
• You are proficient in your knowledge and use of business productivity tools and insights.

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:

• You will be subject to a Background check as a condition of employment, in the event you are the successful candidate.
• You will travel occasionally.
• Extended work hours, in some instances, might be required (including weekends and evenings).
• As a leader, strict confidentiality is required with respect to sensitive matters and employees’ personal information.

What’s in it for you?

• Training and development opportunities to grow your career.
• Flexible work options and paid time off to support your personal and family needs.
• A holistic approach to your well-being, with physical and mental health programs and a supportive workplace culture.
• Paid volunteer days to give back to your community.
• In addition to our competitive salary and incentive programs, eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive total rewards package including group retirement savings plans, pension and benefits (, health and wellness, dental, disability and life coverage), mental health support and an employee assistance program.

Expected salary range $91,058 - $141,000+.

The salary amount for the successful candidate is determined by Co-operators 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.

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.