Senior Manager, Underwriting
Position Summary
The Senior Manager, Underwriting is responsible for evaluating and managing complex E&S commercial property risks while overseeing a team of underwriters. This role balances technical underwriting expertise, leadership, portfolio management, broker relationship development, and regulatory compliance to support profitable growth and long-term business objectives. The successful candidate will possess deep E&S property underwriting experience, strong leadership capabilities, and a proven ability to develop and execute underwriting strategies in a dynamic and technology-driven environment.
Primary Responsibilities
Underwrite and approve complex commercial property risks, including Ground-Up, Primary, Shared, and other potential placements
Manage and grow a profitable book of E&S property business while maintaining underwriting discipline and profitability targets
Evaluate emerging risks, market trends, catastrophe exposures, and competitive conditions to support underwriting strategy
Ensure consistency in underwriting decisions across the portfolio
Directly supervise, mentor, and develop a team of underwriters
Conduct performance management, coaching, training, and professional development activities
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
Assist in recruiting, onboarding, and retaining top underwriting talent
Review underwriting quality and provide technical guidance on complex risks
Develop and maintain strong relationships with wholesale brokers, carrier partners, and other key stakeholders
Serve as a senior underwriting representative in broker meetings, industry events, and business development initiatives
Identify opportunities for profitable growth within existing and prospective distribution relationships
Collaborate with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to develop and launch new products and coverage offerings
Support expansion into All Other Perils (AOP) property products while maintaining expertise in wildfire and catastrophe-exposed business
Provide underwriting input for pricing, product design, forms development, and portfolio management initiatives
Utilize underwriting technology, predictive analytics, and data-driven insights to improve underwriting outcomes
Ensure compliance with surplus lines regulations, carrier guidelines, delegated authority requirements, and company policies
Monitor underwriting controls, audit findings, and quality assurance metrics
Support regulatory examinations, carrier audits, and internal compliance reviews
Participate in underwriting committee meetings and portfolio reviews
Assist with catastrophe management and aggregation monitoring
Travel up to 30% for broker visits, conferences, carrier meetings, and business development activities
Perform other duties as assigned
Requirements
Required: Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, Insurance, or related field
Minimum 7+ years of commercial property (E&S) underwriting experience, including experience underwriting wildfire and severe convective storms
Minimum 5+ years of leadership, supervisory, or management experience in commercial property (E&S) underwriting
Demonstrated success managing profitable property portfolios
Strong understanding of commercial property forms, rating methodologies, catastrophe exposures, and risk selection principles
Experience working with MGA, MGU, Lloyd's, or delegated authority environments
Proven track record of developing, maintaining, and growing broker relationships
Knowledge of surplus lines regulations and regulatory compliance requirements
Experience underwriting E&S Ground-Up, Primary, and Shared property accounts
Surplus Lines licenses in home state and multiple non-resident states
Strong analytical, decision-making, negotiation, and communication skills
Ability to lead teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Strongly Preferred: CPCU, AU, ARM, or other insurance industry designations
Surplus Lines licenses in Western states and/or all 50 states preferred
Familiarity with predictive analytics, geospatial modeling, catastrophe models, and automated underwriting platforms
Experience implementing underwriting technology solutions and workflow optimization initiatives