Assistant Vice President Branch Leader, Atlantic

Job description

A leadership opportunity exists in our Small Medium Enterprise (SME) business unit at our Dartmouth Commercial Insurance branch. This is an excellent opportunity to be the corporate leader to evolve Aviva Canada’s Atlantic Commercial Lines business to a “Best in Class” underwriting region. You will lead an experienced and engaged team of underwriting talent in the profitable growth of our Commercial Lines business.

As the Head of Underwriting for the region, you are the P&L owner and are responsible for leadership and management of all lines of Commercial underwriting and processing functions for the branch in accordance with Aviva’s goals, strategies, and standards.

You will monitor the competitive landscape, optimizing risk selection, and increasing Aviva’s competitive position. A key success in the strategy of this role is creating and implementing appropriate underwriting strategies based on large losses, trends and the competitive environment.

Be leader in embracing operational effectiveness and in setting the course for the Atlantic Region to improve on its efficiency measures including significant increase in average premiums and GWP/FTE.

Accountabilities:

• Support the execution of the SME strategy: Profit, Transformation and Growth.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of overall branch performance through analysis of reports while regularly taking strategic actions and identifying opportunities to maximize positive results
• Develop and manage an underwriting management team focused on team development, engagement while creating regional succession.
• Lead and motivate an underwriting team, ensuring skills remain leading edge while focusing on a  sales-oriented approach toward the development of broker partnerships and the profitable growth of the commercial lines business.
• Working proactively with broker partners to strengthen relationships, ensuring business plans are achieved.  Taking the lead on large accounts with key broker partners.
• Actively engage in significant SME business strategic initiatives and re-engineering projects by providing branch and/or regional perspective and subject matter expert advice; lead project execution at the national and/or regional level, ensuring appropriate communications, advocacy, change leadership, training, coaching and follow-ups to embed new processes, technology and ways of working to achieve targeted goals.
• Manage account receivables to collect premium
• Review underwriting authorities and appetite to meet targets.
• Work proactively and collaboratively with business partners across the organization to develop achievable annual business plan and financial targets (COR, GWP, PIF, New Business) and ensure objectives are aligned and met.
• Work closely with Business Development team members, as well as other departments/functions both within the local branch and externally, to successfully achieve the branch and regional goals.
• Perform ongoing talent management responsibilities including hiring, coaching, training and development, performance management, reward, recognition, etc.
• Develop an effective talent pipeline. Establish and nurture a great underwriting team with a customer-centric culture.
• Develop underwriting frameworks consistent with business and regulatory requirements.
• Regularly report on large losses, trends and the competitive environment.  Embed a risk culture within Aviva.
• Complete quality assurance of the Commercial Lines P&C and Automobile portfolio, including branch and/or regional self-review.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with regular attestation and evidencing.
• Role model Aviva values – Care More, Kill Complexity, Never Rest, Create Legacy.
• Manager, implement, and influence on Risk and Controls as it pertains to Governance, Customer Outcomes, and overall Risk Management. 

Required Qualifications, Knowledge, & Skills:

• Undergraduate degree in business, mathematics, statistics, economics, finance, or other related field or equivalent experience.
• FCIP, FCAS, FCIA or equivalent designation is required.
• 10-15 years of relevant P&C experience, including 5+ years of experience in commercial underwriting and product development
• Demonstrated track record of success in leading a commercial lines business in a well-regarded insurance company.
• Known within the Atlantic broker community.
• A solid understanding of the dynamics of the insurance marketplace and the ability to use this knowledge to enhance relationships with customers and respond to known and anticipated trends.
• Understanding of advanced mathematics, data analytics and rating methodologies.
• The ability to recruit, develop and retain a first-class team of professionals in order to achieve target performance and growth objectives.
• The ability to generate energy in others and to inspire teams to achieve business goals.
• A high degree of humility, integrity and personal pride in doing what is right.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to work closely with and support other senior executives in the development and implementation of creative and strategic ideas.
• Ability to identify key priorities and problems, obtain relevant information, identify root causes and generate alternative solutions to reach sound management decisions.
• The clear ability to fit into the Aviva team and to work effectively with other executives in the development of all strategic and operational plans, activities and initiatives.
• Ability to apply statistical and financial analysis to the planning, post-auditing and forecasting processes.
• Capable of dissecting and managing data at a cellular level to optimize risk selection, market segmentation and competitive position.
• Versatility in thought process and the ability to apply critical thinking skills to identify key levers and priorities for large amounts of information.
• Possesses the ability to balance quantitative analysis with competitor behaviors within the marketplace.

Additional Information:

Aviva Canada is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities during all phases of the hiring process including the application process. If you require an accommodation because of a disability, we will work with you to meet your needs. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. If you are selected for an interview and require an accommodation, you are encouraged to advise the Talent Acquisition Partner who will consult with you to determine an appropriate accommodation.