VP & Head of Environmental, Canada

Take the next step in your career with us. Allied World is an ideal place for talented professionals who are driven by a belief in the value of collaboration and the power of knowledge. We believe that when our great people work together and support one another, our clients receive the best solutions. We embrace unique perspectives and empower each person to grow through professional development, career training and mentoring programs. Our people are our most important asset, and we are very proud of the quality of our team members. Job Summary: The Vice President & Head of Environmental, Canada is responsible for the profitable growth, strategic leadership, and operational management of Allied World's Environmental business throughout Canada. This role serves as the senior Environmental leader for the Canadian platform, overseeing underwriting strategy, portfolio management, broker and client relationships, product development, and talent management. The successful candidate will possess deep expertise in Environmental liability insurance products, including Site Pollution Liability, Contractors Pollution Liability, and Environmental Professional Liability, with a strong working knowledge of General Liability and Excess Liability coverages. This individual will play a critical role in driving underwriting excellence, executing market strategy, expanding distribution relationships, developing talent, and achieving underwriting profitability objectives. Job Duties and Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership & Business Development * Serve as the Environmental business leader for Canada, developing and executing strategic growth initiatives aligned with Allied World's underwriting and profitability objectives. * Partner closely with Allied World Canada's leadership team to identify market opportunities, strengthen distribution relationships, and expand the Environmental portfolio. * Establish and maintain a strong network of brokers, clients, industry associations, and market influencers to enhance Allied World's market presence and reputation. * Monitor market trends, competitive dynamics, regulatory developments, and emerging environmental exposures to identify growth opportunities and recommend strategic actions. * Represent Allied World at industry conferences, seminars, broker functions, client events, and industry associations throughout Canada. * Develop and execute annual business plans, premium targets, and profitability objectives for the Canadian Environmental portfolio. Underwriting & Portfolio Management * Lead the profitable management of the Canadian Environmental portfolio, ensuring achievement of premium, retention, growth, and profitability targets. * Maintain deep technical expertise in Environmental liability products, including: + Site Pollution Liability + Contractors Pollution Liability + Environmental Professional Liability + Related General Liability and Excess Liability coverages * Establish, monitor, and continually enhance underwriting guidelines, pricing methodologies, authority structures, and risk selection standards. * Review complex underwriting submissions, evaluate exposures, analyze coverage structures, and approve quotations, binders, and referrals within delegated authority. * Ensure disciplined underwriting practices and compliance with Company underwriting guidelines, systems, and procedures. * Evaluate portfolio performance, rate adequacy, limit deployment, aggregation exposure, and portfolio mix to optimize risk-adjusted returns. * Prepare and present portfolio performance reports, growth initiatives, market assessments, and strategic recommendations to senior management. Broker & Client Relationship Management * Develop and maintain strong relationships with key brokers, producers, consultants, and insureds throughout Canada. * Lead marketing efforts focused on generating new business opportunities and retaining existing accounts. * Negotiate terms, conditions, coverage structures, and pricing for new and renewal business. * Proactively address broker concerns, identify emerging opportunities, and enhance service delivery. * Participate in client meetings, stewardship discussions, business development events, and industry networking activities. * Maintain a visible market presence and serve as the primary Environmental representative for Allied World in Canada. Team Leadership & Talent Development * Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Environmental underwriters. * Recruit, hire, train, and retain underwriting talent to support business growth objectives. * Conduct portfolio and performance reviews while providing technical guidance, coaching, and career development. * Delegate underwriting authority appropriately and ensure adherence to underwriting standards and best practices. * Support succession planning and professional development initiatives across the Canadian Environmental team. * Foster a collaborative, accountable, and results-driven culture focused on underwriting excellence and customer service. Cross-Functional Collaboration * Partner with Claims, Legal, Finance, Actuarial, Compliance, Operations, Audit, and Information Technology teams to support business objectives and ensure operational effectiveness. * Collaborate with product development and actuarial teams regarding product enhancements, pricing strategies, risk appetite, and market opportunities. * Support audits, underwriting reviews, regulatory inquiries, and strategic initiatives as required. * Work closely with global Environmental leadership to leverage best practices, share market intelligence, and support enterprise objectives. Qualifications: * Education + Bachelor's degree required. + Degree in Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Risk Management, Business, Finance, or a related field preferred. * Professional DesignationsProfessional insurance, risk management, or technical designations are preferred, including: + FCIP (Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional) + CIP (Chartered Insurance Professional) + CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) + ACII (Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute) + CRM (Canadian Risk Management) + P.Eng. (Professional Engineer) + RPLU (Registered Professional Liability Underwriter) + Other relevant insurance, risk management, or environmental industry credentials * Experience + Minimum 15 years of commercial insurance underwriting experience. + Minimum 5 years of underwriting leadership or management experience. + Significant expertise in Environmental liability underwriting and portfolio management. + Demonstrated track record of profitable business development and portfolio growth. + Established relationships within the Canadian brokerage community and Environmental insurance marketplace. + Experience managing a team of underwriters and leading market-facing business development initiatives. + Proven ability to develop and execute strategic business plans and achieve financial objectives. * Skills & Competencies + Advanced underwriting and risk assessment expertise. + Strong portfolio management and financial acumen. + Exceptional leadership, coaching, and talent development capabilities. + Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills. + Strong analytical and decision-making abilities. + Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills. + Ability to influence stakeholders across multiple functional areas and levels of the organization. + Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and underwriting systems. + Ability to work independently while effectively leading a geographically distributed team. * Working Conditions + Travel throughout Canada is required, with occasional travel to the United States and other Allied World office locations. + Flexibility to attend client, broker, and industry events outside normal business hours as necessary. + Frequent interaction with brokers, insureds, industry organizations, and senior management. * Success Measures - Success in this role will be measured by: + Achievement of premium growth, retention, and profitability objectives. + Portfolio loss ratio, combined ratio, and overall underwriting performance. + Expansion and retention of key broker, client, and distribution relationships. + New business production and market penetration across Canada. + Underwriting quality, compliance, and portfolio management effectiveness. + Recruitment, development, engagement, and retention of underwriting talent. + Successful execution of strategic initiatives supporting Allied World's Environmental business objectives in Canada. + Strengthening Allied World's position as a leading Environmental insurance market in Canada. $335,000 CAD Working at Allied World Our team of over 1,650 professionals has deep expertise in the industry. They enjoy their work, and many have served for several years. This is what you can expect when you join us: • Instant membership in the Allied World — a global network of colleagues who will support your career journey • A manager who will help you build your career through a structured coaching program • Access to a full suite of learning and development tools and resources Global Presence Headquartered in Bermuda, Allied World has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Brisbane, Chicago, Costa Mesa, Dallas, Dublin, Farmington (CT), Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Malaysia, Manchester, Miami, Nashville, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, Switzerland and Toronto. We strive to provide exceptional service to our clients and distribution partners. Our Business Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd, through its subsidiaries, is a global provider of insurance and reinsurance solutions. We operate under the brand Allied World and have supported clients, cedents and trading partners with thoughtful service and meaningful coverages since 2001. We are a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holding Limited, and benefit from a worldwide network of affiliated entities that allow us to think and respond in a non-traditional ways. Allied work is an equal opportunity employer. Subject to applicable law, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religions or belief, gender, age, disability, military service, marital or civil partnership status, family status, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law or regulation in the relevant jurisdiction where we operate. To learn more, visit awac.com , or follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.