Salary Range: 150,000 CAD to 215,000 CAD Annually

Who We Are:

A strategic and trusted insurance partner, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI), provides a broad range of commercial property, casualty and specialty insurance coverages and outstanding service to customers and brokers around the world. Part of Berkshire Hathaway’s insurance operations, we bring our solutions to market with our stellar brand name, top-rated balance sheet, and the expertise of our global team of professionals, who exude excellent capabilities and solid character.

We are a values-based organization where respect, integrity, excellence, collaboration, and passion define who we are and how we do business. We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, and perspectives and strive to foster an inclusive environment that enables all our team members to bring their best selves to work. We are one team committed to building a culture where every teammate has the opportunity to contribute and be recognized. Want to be part of the team building the finest property, casualty and specialty lines insurance company in the world?

BHSI has an exciting opportunity for an AVP/VP, Program Manager in our Toronto office. As part of the BHSI Canada Programs team, this role will have meaningful ownership of a growing portfolio of commercial insurance programs across Canada, with accountability for underwriting performance, program governance, partner relationships, and the evaluation and execution of new opportunities.

The role offers the opportunity to work across multiple commercial lines and distribution models, including programs administered by MGAs, brokers, affinity and association partners, and technology-enabled small commercial opportunities. Applying sound underwriting judgment and a customer-focused perspective, the AVP/VP, Program Manager will help create sustainable value by balancing disciplined execution, thoughtful responsiveness, and long-term portfolio performance.

Working within BHSI’s collaborative environment, the successful candidate will partner closely with the Head of Programs, product-line underwriters, and cross-functional teams.

Duties & Responsibilities:

- Lead the strategy, execution, and performance of assigned programs, using underwriting results, premium growth, portfolio mix, loss trends, rate, exposure concentrations, data quality, expenses, commissions, and other relevant indicators to support disciplined, profitable growth.
- Build trusted, productive relationships with Program Administrators, MGAs, brokers, associations, Third-Party Administrators, and other distribution partners to strengthen customer and partner outcomes and create long-term value.
- Identify, evaluate, and advance new program opportunities that align with BHSI’s strategy and underwriting appetite, balancing commercial potential with sound risk selection and operational readiness.
- Lead due diligence for prospective programs by evaluating business plans,



historical loss performance, underwriting guidelines, program structure, data and bordereaux, policy forms, operational capabilities, and governance.
- Drive the onboarding of approved programs in partnership with Product, Actuarial, Claims, Legal, Compliance, Operations, IT, and Finance, establishing clear ownership, effective handoffs, and timely execution.
- Establish and maintain program-specific underwriting guidelines, authority levels, referral criteria, audit practices, and controls that promote integrity, consistency, simplicity, and sustainable performance.
- Exercise sound underwriting judgment on referrals outside delegated authority and collaborate with BHSI product-line experts to reach timely, well-supported decisions.
- Lead program strategy, audit, remediation, and renewal reviews, developing recommendations on capacity, underwriting terms, authority, pricing, commission structure, and growth plans based on performance insights.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Qualifications

- Demonstrated commercial property and casualty insurance experience, with the ability to independently manage complex underwriting, program or portfolio responsibilities. Approximately 10+ years of relevant experience preferred, or equivalent demonstrated experience applying these capabilities in commercial insurance.
- Experience with program, MGA, delegated authority or portfolio underwriting models, including evaluating underwriting approach, controls, performance and partner capabilities.
- Strong technical underwriting knowledge in one or more commercial insurance lines, with the ability to work across multiple products and develop expertise in adjacent areas.
- Knowledge of the Canadian commercial insurance market and experience developing productive relationships with brokers, MGAs, Program Administrators, affinity/association partners or comparable distribution partners.
- Strong analytical and commercial acumen, including experience interpreting loss information, pricing and rate metrics, bordereaux, portfolio trends, financial results and program economics to support actionable decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively across functions and influence stakeholders, including Product, Actuarial, Claims, Legal, Compliance, Operations, IT and Finance; able to make thoughtful, timely decisions and communicate recommendations clearly.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience preferred; CIP, FCIP, CPCU or another relevant insurance designation is an asset.




- Ability to travel within Canada and occasionally to the United States as business needs require.

Skills

- Advanced commercial underwriting and portfolio management (10+ years preferred): Apply technical judgment to evaluate risk, manage portfolio performance, establish appropriate controls, and recommend actions that support profitable, sustainable growth.
- Advanced program evaluation and analytical decision-making: Interpret loss experience, bordereaux, pricing metrics, financial performance, underwriting guidelines, and portfolio trends to develop timely, evidence-based recommendations.
- Advanced delegated authority and program governance: Design and apply authority frameworks, referral criteria, audits, controls, and remediation plans that strengthen consistency, integrity, and accountability.
- Advanced partner management, negotiation, and communication: Build trusted relationships, communicate complex recommendations clearly, and influence internal and external stakeholders toward shared outcomes.
- Advanced cross-functional execution: Translate strategy into practical action across underwriting and business functions, creating clarity, effective handoffs, and sustained program performance.

BHSI Offers:

- A competitive package and exciting growth opportunities for career-oriented teammates.
- A dynamic, action oriented, and thoughtful environment centered on always doing the right thing for our customers, teammates, and our other stakeholders.
- A purposely non-bureaucratic organization that embraces simplicity over complexity and emphasizes individual excellence in a team framework.
- Benefits that support your life and well-being, which include:
- Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision benefits
- Disability Insurance (both short-term and long-term)
- Life Insurance
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Defined Contribution Pension Plan with Company Match
- Generous holiday and Paid Time Off
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Parental Leave

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. The base salary range for this position in Toronto, Canada is $150,000 CAD to $215,000 CAD along with annual bonus eligibility. Total compensation for a candidate is determined by relevant skills, location, and experience. We value our teammates, both their capabilities and character, as demonstrated by our culture.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The teammate may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing requirements of the organization.

BHSI complies with Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and has a process in place that provides accommodations for job applicants and teammates with disabilities upon request.

We do not employ AI or automated tools to filter, assess, or select candidates. This posting is for an existing vacancy within the organization.

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📌 AVP/VP, Insurance Program Manager (Toronto)
🏢 Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance
📍 Toronto