AVP, Underwriting Director- Primary Casualty

Zurich is hiring an experienced AVP, Underwriting Director- Primary Casualty to join our quickly growing and dynamic Energy Casualty team! Underwriting at Zurich offers a rewarding and empowered environment that allows underwriters to exercise both quantitative & qualitative reasoning skill sets, in addition to exposure to a wide range of experiences, allowing the underwriter to build a rewarding & diverse career journey.

As a member of the Energy Casualty team, the AVP Underwriter will enjoy the opportunity to fully apply & hone underwriting, marketing and leadership skills while leveraging relationships with our key distribution partners. In this role, you will market, analyze, and underwrite primary casualty risks. This includes soliciting and underwriting new and renewal business to drive profitable growth. In addition, and under minimal direction, you will utilize The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework as a subject matter expert and ensure a high-level service to customers. As an AVP, you will serve as a leader and mentor to the team offering technical guidance on critical coverage issues, program structure customization, and pricing methodologies.

Zurich Energy is a leading provider of insurance solutions in the Energy industry and has supported Energy clients for over 30 years. By providing a broad array of products and services, we work with our customers to support their key business goals, while assisting to reduce their overall cost of risk. Our team of experienced underwriting specialists strive to provide solutions to address today’s challenges and collaborate with clients to address emerging risks. The team is primarily based out of Houston, but we are open to qualified talent in Chicago or New York as well. A requirement of this position includes travel (15-20% travel commitment) comprised of targeted marketing, business development, and client engagement events.

Responsibilities include:

• Market facing and production, including onsite client stewardship and broker visits
• Management and development of robust new business and cross-sell pipeline
• Serve as a customer advocate with a focus on improving the customer experience by understanding their risk and offering the best end to end solution for their insurance needs
• Deliver a disciplined & thorough approach to exposure evaluation, risk assessment, pricing, and documentation
• Use risk insights, data and models to drive informed underwriting decisions at point of sale
• Develop & define program structure recommendations, including G. Cost & Loss Sensitive solutions, based on risk characteristics
• Prepare and present comprehensive referrals, as necessary
• Working independently, negotiate and deliver successful outcomes to the agent/broker
• Administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws and regulations
• Work within broad limits and authorities on highly complex assignments
• Manage key portfolio indicators within assigned territory, including Gross Written Premium, Retention, Rate, & Profitability
• Opportunity to mentor & coach early-career team members
• Visibility at industry events and contributions supporting long term strategy development and vision

AVP, Underwriting Director Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 7 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area.
  OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 14 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
  OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area
  OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 12 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
  AND
• Proficiency of Microsoft Office
• Competence working within time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
• Experience working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Energy Casualty, or Casualty-driven underwriting experience, including Guaranteed Cost & Loss Sensitive
• Existing network and familiarity within the Energy Casualty brokerage & client community
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Sales execution mindset
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Microsoft Office experience

Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply—your unique background matters to us. The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The proposed Salary range for this position is $130,000.00 - $215,000.00, with Global Specialty Incentive Plan bonus eligibility set at 40%.

We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards here .]

Why Zurich?

At Zurich, we value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment—so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500®.

Join us for a brighter future—for yourself and our customers.

Zurich in North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets.

Zurich complies with 18 U.S. Code § 1033.

Please note: Zurich does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies. Preferred vendors should use our Recruiting Agency Portal.

Location(s): AM - Houston, AM - Chicago, AM - New York
Remote Working: Hybrid
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered: No