Sr Corporate Underwriter Specialist - Underwriting Excellence

HSB Canada, part of Munich Re, is Canada's premier engineering-driven specialty insurer and provider of inspection, engineering and technology services that set the standard for excellence in the market. Our constantly evolving offerings lead the market in cyber, equipment breakdown, renewable energy, technology services, engineering based risk management and inspection services. We bring technical expertise to help our clients stay ahead of complex, emerging and technology-based risks.  We dare to think big and we are continuously innovating on behalf of our clients. We recognize Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging as key priorities and a culture that welcomes different thoughts and opinions.

HSB is much more! It’s insurance. Engineering. Technology. To learn more about us, please visit www.hsb.ca

Primary Objectives

The Sr Corporate Underwriter Specialist – Underwriting Excellence provides expert-level underwriting oversight, audit, and governance across Managing General Agents (MGAs), brokers, and internal underwriting teams. This role ensures underwriting practices comply with delegated authority agreements, underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements, and enterprise risk standards, while driving continuous improvement in underwriting quality and effectiveness.

The incumbent uses technical underwriting knowledge to conduct thorough audits, ensure compliance with underwriting standards, and acts as a trusted advisor to MGAs, brokers, clients, and reinsurance partners. This role requires comprehensive commercial underwriting expertise, strong analytical and audit skills, and the ability to build credibility with diverse stakeholders.

Key Outcomes:

• Deliver expert underwriting oversight and service aligned with Company guidelines and risk appetite.
• Drive measurable improvements in underwriting consistency, accuracy, and effectiveness across MGA and delegated underwriting programs.
• Execute comprehensive audit programs that identify trends, control gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, MGAs, brokers, clients, and reinsurance partners.

Job Responsibilities

Underwriting Audit, Governance & Risk Oversight

Audit & Analysis

Lead and execute comprehensive audit programs for MGA, broker, and internal underwriting operations, ensuring compliance with underwriting guidelines, delegated authority agreements, pricing models, and authority limits.

• Identify, assess, and document underwriting risks, exposures, deficiencies, and trends; provide clear, actionable recommendations and track remediation.
• Conduct complex file reviews and portfolio analyses to assess underwriting quality, pricing adequacy, risk selection, coverage application, and adherence to delegated authority agreements.
• Review client compliance with Provincial and National regulations with respect to internal risk management and reporting.
• Analyze trends across audit findings to identify root causes and recommend systemic improvements to underwriting governance frameworks, processes, and controls.
• Perform risk assessments of underwriting practices providing risk ratings and prioritized recommendations.
• Lead remediation planning and track implementation of corrective actions, escalating critical issues as appropriate.
• Develop audit documentation, reporting templates, and dashboards that communicate findings and trends to key stakeholders.

Governance & Framework Development:

• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of underwriting governance frameworks and audit standards
• Contribute to the development of underwriting policies, guidelines, and authority matrices based on audit insights and industry developments

MGA, Broker & Client Engagement

• Provide timely, knowledgeable, and professional underwriting service by responding to audit-related, underwriting, and service inquiries from MGAs, brokers, clients, and reinsurance partners.
• Lead complex discussions with MGAs, brokers, and reinsurance partners regarding audit findings, remediation requirements, and underwriting best practices.
• Partner with Business Development Representatives, Underwriting Managers, and operational teams to ensure quality, consistency, and accuracy of underwriting documentation.
• Create, review, and present underwriting findings, proposals, and recommendations to business partners and internal leadership.
• Support negotiations with MGAs, brokers, clients, and reinsurance stakeholders as required.

Collaboration, Leadership & Industry Expertise

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders across Underwriting, Claims, Actuarial, Compliance, Legal, and Business Development.
• Act as an ambassador for underwriting best practices, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Liase with Underwriting Excellence teams across the group companies to share best practice and align on underwriting excellence and audit group practices.
• Participate in MGA onboarding, renewals, and delegated authority reviews.
• Cultivate trusted advisor relationships with key MGAs, brokers, and reinsurance partners.
• Participate in industry associations, conferences, and forums, representing the Company in underwriting excellence and MGA governance discussions.
• Mentor and coach underwriters, business development team, and MGA personnel on underwriting best practices, risk assessment techniques, and compliance requirements.
• Share audit insights and lessons learned across the organization to drive continuous learning.

Qualifications

• University degree or college diploma in related fields.
• CIP designation or active enrollment in the CIP program with a clear path to completion (FCIP or CRM considered an asset).
• 7+ years of progressive experience in Commercial Property & Casualty insurance, Equipment Breakdown with exposure to underwriting audit, quality assurance, or delegated authority environments.
• Proven record of accomplishment working with MGAs, brokers, delegated underwriting authority programs, and reinsurance partners.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, assessing, and evaluating complex risks and exposures, determining appropriate premiums, policy terms, and conditions, and obtaining required approvals.
• Proven stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence, negotiate, and build credibility with MGAs, brokers, clients, and internal teams.
• Expert understanding of delegated authority structures, binding authority agreements, and MGA operations.
• Experience developing audit frameworks or quality assurance programs considered a strong asset.
• Exceptional analytical skills with ability to synthesize complex information, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Data-driven approach with ability to develop metrics, analyze trends, and measure effectiveness.
• Outstanding written communication skills for preparing clear, concise audit reports, findings, and recommendations
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills, with confidence presenting to executive leadership, and large groups
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build credibility and trust across diverse stakeholders
• Proven ability to influence and drive change without direct authority
• Ability to mentor, coach, and develop others in underwriting and audit practices

Company Benefits:

Together, we engage with everything we have and are, to help humankind act braver and better. Go further with HSB.

We are pleased to offer our employees great benefits and resources to support their mental, physical and financial wellbeing. These include:

• An engaging and collaborative environment that promotes continuous learning and development
• A hybrid work environment that combines weekly in-office and remote days
• A great compensation package including an annual company bonus
• Competitive company-paid flexible health and dental benefits, starting on your first day
• Flexible dollars provided by the company to put towards a Health Spending Account and/or Wellness Spending Account
• Wellness program with tools and resources supporting your mental, physical, and financial wellbeing – on and off the job
• Participation in the DC Pension Plan with a progressive employer contribution scale based on tenure starting at 4%, plus optional company match in the RRSP plan
• Generous time off including vacation, personal days, unplanned time, Statutory Holidays and company-wide early closure half-days
• Learning and development programs and resources, including unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning, Education Assistance Program, and reimbursement for professional fees
• Employee Referral Program and Recognition Program

Our base salary range for this role is between $142,650 and $166,425 per year , plus an opportunity for an annual company bonus based upon a percentage of eligible pay. The salary estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for candidates hired in this position. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have and comparison to internal equity.

This role is located in our Toronto office on 390 Bay St, and we operate in a hybrid work model. This job posting is for a new vacancy. 

We do not use AI in our recruitment process - applications are reviewed by our team to ensure a fair and personalized experience.

HSB Canada is committed to providing a work environment that is inclusive and free of employment barriers and discrimination.  Accommodations will be made for qualified applicants with a disability throughout the recruitment process.  If you receive a request for an interview and you have a disability which will require an accommodation to support your participation, please consult with Human Resources or contact hr@hsb.ca as soon as practical so that suitable accommodations can be arranged.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however only those selected for interview will be contacted.