AVP of Underwriting, Accounts

Introduction

Zenith is a team of Workers' Compensation Specialists committed to helping businesses succeed by protecting against the financial and human consequences of workplace injuries, providing for the needs of injured employees and making the workplace safer. To distinguish ourselves as the desired provider of Workers' Compensation Insurance, values such as collaboration, work-life balance, and integrity are placed at the center of all our operations.

In addition, Zenith supports career advancement through a dedication to ongoing learning and development. An individual coming to Zenith will not only receive competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, but continuous opportunities to grow as a professional.

The Assistant Vice President of Underwriting, Large Accounts serves as a key officer‑level leader in driving the continued evolution and expansion of our Large Accounts business. In this role, the AVP provides strategic direction and underwriting leadership for complex, multi‑state, loss‑sensitive accounts, leveraging deep technical expertise and strong broker and customer relationships to advance our growth agenda. This highly visible, externally facing position represents the organization with credibility and authority, partnering closely with senior internal stakeholders and distribution partners to strengthen market presence, elevate our value proposition, and shape a sustainable Large Accounts portfolio.

While this role does not include direct reports, it requires significant influence leadership—guiding underwriting approaches, championing best practices, and helping steer strategic decisions across the business.

• Serves as a senior underwriting leader and visible ambassador for Zenith’s Large Accounts Workers’ Compensation capabilities, positioning the organization as a credible and competitive partner for complex, loss sensitive business.
• Applies disciplined underwriting judgment and sound risk selection within a growth mindset, balancing profitability with strategic expansion objectives.
• Engages directly with brokers, agents, and customers to articulate Zenith’s underwriting philosophy, value proposition, and differentiators, supporting relationship development and new business growth.
• Partners with Branch and Regional leadership to help set and execute strategic underwriting direction aligned with Large Accounts growth priorities.
• Provides leadership through regular discussions focused on vision, goals, and progress, ensuring alignment across underwriting and business partners.
• Drives results through thoughtful, well reasoned decisions grounded in technical expertise, business principles, and practical underwriting experience.
• Fosters a collaborative, growth oriented environment that encourages teamwork, innovation, and shared accountability across underwriting teams and offices.
• Leverages operational reviews and compliance audits to assess underwriting performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and reinforce underwriting discipline.
• Evaluates, recommends, and, where appropriate, approves existing or new underwriting programs with significant operational or financial impact, recognizing the importance of sound judgment in a build phase environment.
• Works cross functionally with leaders in Claims, Risk Control, Finance, and other disciplines to solve problems, remove obstacles, and support successful outcomes for Large Accounts business.
• Provides timely coaching and feedback to underwriting and branch leadership, supporting professional development and strengthening technical capabilities.
• Supports local and regional underwriting training efforts and helps establish consistent training practices aligned with Large Accounts needs.
• Partners with the Underwriting Technical Director, as needed, to support the development and delivery of technical training related to loss sensitive and complex account structures.

• High School Diploma or equivalent combination of training/experience required
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of training/experience required

• 7-10+ years of progressively complex commercial lines…