Job Description

We are seeking a strategic underwriting leader to drive the profitable growth and technical maturity of our Property product line in Canada. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Markel Canada’s Property portfolio, influence broader organizational strategy, develop innovative market propositions, and strengthen our presence across specialty areas, customer segments, and distribution channels. You will be responsible for the overall health of the Property portfolio, including strategy, technical underwriting, portfolio management, exposure (and Nat Cat) management, and leadership. As a senior leader, you will collaborate with other product line leaders, Field distribution teams, and other functional teams across global operations. Working closely with the Markel Canada leadership team, you will join a values-driven culture with integrity and accountability at its core, with significant onward career opportunities.

If you are an underwriting leader who thrives in a focused and creative environment and excels at building businesses and creating value and market impact, this is your opportunity to make a difference.

Are you an experienced insurance leader who would love to drive profitable growth and technical maturity of our Property product line in Canada?

Come and help us shape and expand a key growth area for Markel Canada, developing a compelling market proposition and strengthening our presence in the Canadian marketplace.

What part will you play? If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it. The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities, and you’ll find your fit among our global community of optimists and problem-solvers. We’re always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realize our potential, we can help others reach theirs.

Join us and play your part in something special!

The opportunity:

This is a new role and an exciting opportunity to join a growing and ambitious business in a high-impact and visible role at a pivotal time in our journey. You will help shape the future of Markel Canada’s Property portfolio, influence broader organizational strategy, develop innovative market propositions, and strengthen our presence across specialty areas, customer segments, and distribution channels. You will be responsible for the overall health of the Property portfolio, including strategy, technical underwriting, portfolio management, exposure (and Nat Cat) management, and leadership , while driving greater growth, cohesion and optimization across the book. As a senior leader, you will collaborate with other product line leaders, Field distribution teams, and other functional teams across global operations. Working closely with the Markel Canada leadership team, you will join a values-driven culture with integrity and accountability at its core, with significant onward career opportunities. The role will also interact frequently with Claims, Actuarial, Data and Analytics, Operations, the International OCUO (Office of the Chief Underwriting Officer), and other UK-based colleagues as well as occasionally with US-based colleagues.

If you are an underwriting leader who thrives in a focused and creative environment and excels at building businesses and creating value and market impact, this is your opportunity to make a difference.

What you'll be doing:

• Oversee the Property portfolio and lead the development and execution of the Property underwriting strategy, ensuring sustainable growth and profitability.
• Develop, communicate, and execute organizational goals and objectives established by the President & Managing Director and SVP of Underwriting.
• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, mentorship, and support to field Property underwriting teams to achieve best practices and technical excellence.
• Manage technical wordings, product development, and underwriting guidelines for the portfolio, including layered and shared policy structures, monitoring authority, updating guidelines, and conducting periodic audits.
• Raise the profile of Markel in the Canadian market, including through thought leadership, attending industry events and building strong external relationships, including with brokers and clients.
• Oversee account referrals above field underwriting authority, ensuring consistency and technical rigor.
• Lead all aspects of natural catastrophe (Nat Cat) underwriting and management, including aggregate monitoring, catastrophe modeling, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Proactively identify new market opportunities and product offerings, including innovative solutions for complex and CAT-exposed risks.
• Foster collaboration with Markel colleagues in Canada and internationally to align strategies and share best practices.
• Champion a positive and collaborative team culture, driving high performance and innovation.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company standards.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with actuarial, claims, risk services, and executive leadership to drive portfolio performance and elevate underwriting practices.
• Identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities to support profitable growth.
• Champion innovation, process improvement, and best practices across the portfolio.

What you will bring to the role:

• Proven ability to leverage data and analytics in underwriting strategy towards the improvement of underwriting results.
• Extensive experience in Property underwriting, including layered and shared policy structures, and technical leadership positions.
• Strong technical expertise in Property coverage forms, including the proven ability to craft new products.
• Proven track record of managing large, complex portfolios and executing profitable growth strategies.
• Deep technical expertise in Canadian property insurance, including CAT-exposed risks, high-hazard occupancies, and specialty segments.
• Expert knowledge of catastrophe modeling, aggregate management, and risk mitigation for natural catastrophes.
• Expert knowledge of various Property classes, medium and large business and foreign exposures.
• Strong understanding of claims, actuarial, and loss control functions.
• Established relationships with brokers and clients in the Canadian marketplace.
• Strategic mindset with a proactive and entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Collaborative mentality and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

What we're looking for:

• Minimum of 10+ years of Property insurance underwriting and leadership experience.
• Undergraduate degree preferred.
• Graduate degree and/or industry designations would be a definite plus.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Collaborative style.
• Strong relationship building and collaboration skills.
• Excellent strategic skills with proven ability to think long term and lead transformational change.
• Demonstrated experience working with and influencing key stakeholders and leaders.
• High energy, pro-active self-starter; someone with a strong sense of urgency.
• Demonstrated ability in setting and meeting objectives and getting leadership, peers, and underwriters to “buy in” through superior influencing skills.
• Flexible and spontaneous qualities are key elements to the success of this position.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to achieve desired goals and to interact effectively as well as a high level of confidence, integrity, energy and enthusiasm, executive presence and a personality that fits the “Markel Style.
• Ability to travel.

Who we are:

Markel Group (NYSE – MKL) a Fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory, and investment operations around the world.

We’re all about people | We win together | We strive for better | We enjoy the everyday | We think further

What’s in it for you?

If you’re ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Are you ready to play your part?

• A great starting salary plus annual bonus potential & strong benefits package
• 20 vacation days plus additional floater days per year
• Fantastic company RRSP, extended health and dental coverage, life insurance, travel insurance, vision care and wellness initiatives
• There are countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career and we can provide the support needed to do just that!

Choose ‘Apply Now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.

Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us to request any accommodations that may be needed. This includes any alternative formats of any documents or information on how to apply offline.

Our recruitment process utilizes artificial intelligence tools to assist with tasks such as initial resume screening, interview scheduling and candidate matching. While AI enhances our efficiency, human oversight remains integral to the final decision-making process to ensure fairness and mitigate potential biases.

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