Underwriting Counsel

The Opportunity

Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world?

Look no further than Zurich Canada.

If you are an experienced insurance lawyer and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for an Underwriting Counsel who will provide legal and underwriting support directly to the business.

The Underwriting Counsel’s role will be a part of the Corporate Law team, reporting to the Senior Vice-President & General Counsel, and will be integral to business’ development of new and existing products.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President & General Counsel, you will be a member of the Corporate Law team, working directly with the business on product development and underwriting analysis across all of Zurich Canada.

This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience for the future in a supportive environment where your voice matters.

This is a hybrid work opportunity.

What you will do -

• Provide legal and regulatory guidance on product development of new and existing products.
• Work directly with the business to understand the policy wording and coverage intent and assist in drafting and policy development.
• Liaise with internal and external Coverage Counsel to understand coverage issues and track ical developing case law in order to offer policy wording recommendations to the business.
• Provide proactive insights and legal guidance by identifying opportunities for technical excellence, including, developing and delivering targeted training to the organization.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, staying current with industry trends, establishing personal networks, participating in professional, and maintaining all necessary licences.

Job Qualifications

What you bring to the table :

Required :

• LL.B / J.D. and a member in good standing with a Canadian Professional Law Society.
• More than 7 years of legal experience gained from a law firm or in-house legal team.
• Knowledge of federal and provincial insurance laws and regulations and experience with policy reviewing and drafting.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to present issues, options and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels and across business units.

Preferred :

• A self-starter, with the ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and independently prioritize work.
• Ability to work within an environment of continuous change and growth.
• French language skills would be considered an asset

For Quebec candidates :

Fluency in both spoken and written English is required to facilitate communication with internal and external stakeholders outside Quebec.

Our Culture

At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DEIB). We want you to bring your whole self to work, and we want our employees to be reflective of the communities in which we live and work.

Our DIEB initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.

We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is valued. We value your input and strive to give our employees the tools they need to make an impact.

We care about our employees’ well-being and offer a comprehensive health / benefits plan with varying levels of coverage to suit your specific needs and a competitive total compensation package.

We understand how important it is to rest, recharge and do the things you love. At Zurich, all employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year to do just that.

We also understand that employees require time off for personal reasons. Maybe you have an appointment during a workday, a cultural or religious holiday you would like to observe, or you need time off to focus on your mental health.

Zurich employees receive four personal days per year to be used at their discretion.

We are committed to continuous improvement, and offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We care about our communities. Our communities are where our customers, people, and shareholders live and work. While we can be proud of the contribution to society Zurich makes through our core business of insurance, we must also give back to our communities through our talent, time and resources.

We have won numerous awards for our workplace culture. We are proud to be one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and to have received Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.

Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.

About Us

A future with Zurich

Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together.

As part of a leading global organization, Zurich North America has over 148 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience.

We are a leading provider of commercial property-casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals.

Today, we serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology and insure 90% of the Fortune 500®. Our growth strategy is not limited to our business.

As an employer, Zurich strives to provide ongoing career development opportunities and foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging.

Be a part of the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our people, our customers and the communities we serve.