Underwriting Operations Lead

We put our people first. As an employer of choice, Acera Insurance, offers an outstanding workplace and employee culture that creates valuable opportunities for all employees. 

Our people are:

• Encouraged to challenge the status quo and never stop learning in their commitment to excellence.
• Empowered with a sense of accountability and autonomy to take ownership of their work.
• Treated with respect and act with integrity by putting clients, colleagues, and community first.
• Recognized for their achievements and celebrate festivities, big and small, to make work fun.

We also proudly offer most employees the opportunity to become owners. With over 700 employee owners, Acera Insurance is the only Canadian brokerage that is widely owned by its employees. Our employee owners have a vested interest and get to share in Acera Insurance’s success — which they make possible.

Join our award-winning network of over 1,300 professionals across Canada and change the way people feel about insurance.

Underwriting Operations Lead

The Underwriting Operations Lead is responsible for the operational leadership, scalability, and governance of the organization's in-house Property & Casualty underwriting platform. Working closely with BC Region Enterprise operations and alongside the other Underwriting leaders within property & casualty and business development, the role ensures underwriting operations deliver exceptional service, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and support profitable growth.

LOCATION AND STATUS

• Full-time, permanent

• Hybrid. In office requirement will be in Burnaby (primary) or Vancouver. 

• The salary range for this role is $135,000 to $160,000 per year plus bonus. Compensation is determined by a combination of factors including a candidate’s experience, job-specific knowledge, and skills. Internal equity to ensure fairness across the organization and region/location is also considered. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting operations strategy, execution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee service delivery, workflow management, quality assurance, and operational performance across the underwriting function with specific responsibility for ongoing technical DUA management and support.
• Drive technology adoption, process automation, and data-driven decision-making to enhance productivity and client experience.
• Ensure compliance with DUA and regulatory requirements, DUA guidelines, and internal controls. Lead ongoing updates to control framework resulting from audit recommendations.
• Develop operational metrics, dashboards, and reporting to measure performance, efficiency, and service standards.
• Manage operational team, budgets, project resource planning, and earthquake aggregate capacity management to support business growth.
• Build and lead high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with underwriting, business development, insurer partners, and corporate functions to align operational capabilities and operationally launch/deliver new products with strategic objectives.

Requirements:

• 10+ years experience underwriting commercial P&C insurance.
• Strong leadership skills with a successful track record in various lines of insurance. 
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information and develop effective underwriting strategies. 
• Skill in navigating a heavily regulated environment while ensuring compliance. 
• High-level preparation and deep knowledge of current and future trends in property and casualty insurance. 
• A proven track record of generating strong and sustainable business outcomes over the long term. 
• Proven experience building and managing relationships with major brokers and distribution partners.
• Deep knowledge of P&C policy wordings and claims implications, particularly for complex property risks.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills with a profitability mindset and disciplined risk selection approach.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams with a focus on cross-selling and account rounding.
• Effective at change management and adapting to new systems and processes.
• Strong communication, negotiation, organizational, time management and presentation skills.
• Post-secondary and Insurance designations (CIP, FCIP) or equivalent are considered assets.
• Experience mentoring or leading others preferred.

Acera Insurance is the largest independent, employee-controlled brokerage in Canada. We are proudly 100% Canadian owned and operated. With over 70 locations across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the Yukon, $1.4 billion in gross written premium, and $1.3 billion group retirement savings assets under management, our team provides individuals, families and businesses unbiased insurance and risk management solutions that have a distinct Canadian perspective. Our collaborative work structure combines our people’s strength and expertise to offer greater value, knowledge, and resources to our personal and commercial clients nationwide, including comprehensive group benefits.

Acera Insurance is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to all forms of diversity in the workplace. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.