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International & Subsidiary
Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO)

Job ID: 2009-TO-30
Location: TO - Toronto
Available Openings: 1

Solid Reputation. Passionate People.  Endless Opportunities.

We are one of the leading insurance companies in North America.  Our superior financial strength and consistent record of strong operating returns mean security for our customers – and opportunities for our employees.  You will find Travelers to be full of energy and a workplace in which you truly can make a difference.

TRAVELERS of Canada is hiring for a Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) for our Commercial Business Insurance Division managed out of our Toronto office.  This operation includes the following business segments:

  • Commercial Accounts
  • Construction
  • Public Sector
  • Passenger Transportation
  • National Property
  • Ocean Marine
  • Oil & Gas
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Risk Solutions (programs/alternative risks)


He or she will report to the Senior Vice President, Business Insurance.  The Chief Underwriting Officer will be responsible for the implementation and management of underwriting practices, decisions and process, which enhance profits directly related to underwriting activities, on a national basis.  In this capacity, achieves the Business Insurance Division’s business objectives (profitability, growth, renewal retention, rate change, etc.) while working in accordance with overall enterprise underwriting standards. The incumbent is accountable for the review, development and evaluation of sound underwriting standards and management of the Strategic Underwriting process across all branches. He or she works with each business segment head to ensure that the underwriting results for each area enhance overall profitability, and growth while meeting all related enterprise underwriting initiatives.

Job Specifications:

  • Develop and participate in the implementation of long and short term underwriting strategies to effectively position international underwriting to market the right products, programs and/or services to the right market segments through responsible underwriting decisions.
  • Establish with the business segment heads underwriting policies and standards, which support the development of products, services and/or new programs (i.e., research and identify target business, competitor information, analyze industry and economic factors, balancing risk and reward, new and emerging exposures).
  • Participate in the strategic business planning activities for national domestic businesses that are designed to increase their presence in the market; retain the appropriate mix of business; and achieve overall growth and profit goals.
  • Participate as an advisor in responsible product and platform development, distribution communication and training efforts to ensure they are consistent with profit, growth and retention strategies related to new products and services and/or programs.
  • Develop and ensure effective utilization of detailed monitoring standards to assess underwriting results (“after the sale” reviews on an individual account and portfolio basis) on production and loss results down to the account level (line profitability analysis, quarterly loss trends, utilization/productivity, etc).
  • Analyze market needs and trends as they impact distribution initiatives and provide competitor information to product and program management staff.
  • Undertakes and/or provides oversight to portfolio and aggregate management/strategic underwriting decisions to ensure production, financial and underwriting objectives with respect to profitability are achieved.
  • Pays close attention to the distribution and commercial impact of underwriting strategies.
  • Monitors the documentation of underwriting authorities and the professional development of the underwriting cadre.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with internal resources to facilitate the course of action of underwriting, distribution and marketing decisions.
  • Assess and establish retention policy, aligning operation with enterprise appetites and act as the link/point of entry for Travelers Canada corporate underwriting resources.

Job Qualifications / Skills:

  • A university degree, together with a minimum of 10 years or more demonstrated experience and knowledge of underwriting experience including broad commercial lines covering commercial middle market, construction, public sector, passenger transportation, national property, etc.
  • Strong understanding of large account products, financials, service requirements and business objectives in order to drive bottom-line results
  • Demonstrated ability to recognize product development opportunities. Takes intelligent risks to exploit and penetrate new markets, by using knowledge of competitive market conditions and customer needs.
  • Understands financial implications as they relate to Commercial Lines products and acts in a decisive manner to achieve appropriate results
  • Leads by example, while encouraging ‘ownership’ environment and consistently setting clear direction, goals and priorities for team.  Ability to appropriately influence behaviors
  • Strong strategic thinker and decision-maker, able to develop trust through demonstrated personal integrity, encouraging team to act in best interest of the company and achieve the highest standards
  • Able to work with all levels, to leverage US corporate protocols, and easily establish strong coalitions and networks both inside and outside the organization to accomplish results
  • Excellent two-way communication skills; able to actively listen for understanding and to articulate in clear, concise manner, particularly within a Marketing environment
  • Travel will be required

We are proud to provide comprehensive, high-quality employee programs to meet our employees' needs now and in the future including a very competitive financial package. For more information about the benefits and rewards of working at Travelers Canada, click here.

Travelers Canada is an equal opportunity employer and invites culturally diverse applicants to join our team. We are an equal opportunity employer.

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