At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of a national Marine underwriting practice from scratch.
- Company: Major Canadian insurance carrier with strong resources and backing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful bonuses, generous vacation, and full benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth and team building in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape your own strategy and make a direct impact in the marine insurance market.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in commercial underwriting with strong marine experience and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 135000 - 165000 $ per year.
A major Canadian insurance carrier is launching a brand-new Marine underwriting practice and looking for the Leader who will build it. This is a true greenfield mandate. There's no book to inherit and no legacy strategy to untangle, you'll define the appetite, build the wordings and processes, and plant the flag for Marine within a well-capitalized commercial insurance platform. You'll have access to established international Marine capability and wordings to adapt for the Canadian market, backed by the resources of a national insurer with a strong existing corporate risk and P&C portfolio.
If you've ever wanted to put your name on a franchise rather than just manage someone else's, this is that chance.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading the strategy, build-out, and day-to-day underwriting of a new national Marine portfolio, with a focus on mid-market, large, and multinational risks.
- Underwriting complex Marine cargo and freight forwarder risk for corporate clients (typically $200M+ in revenue), acting as the go-to technical resource on Marine for programs and MGAs.
- Shaping underwriting appetite, tools, guidelines, and referral frameworks in partnership with technical and pricing teams.
- Building and deepening broker relationships across Canada, this is a relationship-driven market, and your name and reputation will be central to the line's success.
- Partnering with Underwriting, Pricing/Actuarial, Reinsurance, Claims, and Risk to keep the portfolio profitable and well-governed.
- Cross‑selling and collaborating with the broader Commercial Lines underwriting team.
- Once the foundation proven, building out a team of underwriters to support continued growth.
What You’ll Bring
- 10+ years of commercial underwriting experience, with strong Marine and/or complex specialty lines exposure.
- A track record underwriting and managing large, complex commercial risks.
- Established Canadian marine market relationships and brand recognition are a real asset.
- Comfort being externally visible, this role is as much about representing Marine in the market as underwriting it.
- People leadership experience, including coaching and developing underwriting talent (or readiness to build a team from scratch).
- University degree in Business, Finance, or related field; CIP (or equivalent) required, CRM or similar an asset.
- Strong analytical, decision-making, and communication skills.
- Bilingualism is an asset.
Why This Role
- Autonomy: a high degree of freedom to shape underwriting approach, appetite, and broker strategy from day one.
- Platform: the backing and resources of a major national carrier, without inheriting legacy baggage.
- Visibility: direct, personal impact, this line's success and your name will be closely linked.
- Growth: a mandate that starts with you and is expected to grow.
- Compensation: competitive base salary flexible for the right profile, meaningful annual bonus target, generous vacation and a full benefits and pension package.
AVP, Marine in Toronto employer: DGA Careers Inc.
As a major Canadian insurance carrier, this company offers an exceptional opportunity for the AVP, Marine role, allowing you to build a national Marine practice from the ground up. With a strong focus on autonomy and growth, you'll have the resources of a well-capitalized insurer at your disposal, alongside competitive compensation, generous vacation, and a comprehensive benefits package. The work culture promotes collaboration and visibility, ensuring that your contributions are recognized and impactful in shaping the future of Marine underwriting in Canada.
