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, generous vacation, full benefits, and pension package.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth as you build a team and expand the portfolio.
- Why this job: Shape your own strategy and make a direct impact in the marine insurance market.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in commercial underwriting, strong marine experience, and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 170000 - 200000 $ 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 is 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 into a team as the book matures.
- Compensation: competitive base salary (flexible for the right profile), meaningful annual bonus target, generous vacation and a full benefits and pension package.
City: Toronto
Job Type: Full-Time
Education: Post Secondary Education
Minimum experience required: 11 or more Years
Salary (hourly): from $170,000 to $200,000
AVP, Marine in Toronto employer: DGA Careers
Join a dynamic and innovative company that prioritizes employee growth and development, offering a collaborative work culture where your leadership can truly shine. As the Vice President of Recruitment, you will benefit from a supportive environment that encourages mentorship and strategic thinking, all while working in the thriving insurance sector across Canada. With a focus on performance optimization and client relationship building, this role provides a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a rewarding career.
