Senior Underwriter, Excess Casualty Large Commercial

AXA XL is seeking a Senior Underwriter for Excess Casualty in the Central Zone, based in Chicago, IL. Large companies with complex risks rely on AXA XL for Commercial Umbrella and Excess Liability coverages to protect their assets against catastrophic losses beyond primary insurance limits or self-insured retentions. The Excess Casualty business unit offers these coverages to North American insureds, with underwriting teams across the United States, Canada, and Bermuda. The portfolio spans industries such as manufacturing, hospitality, real estate, retail, services, and technology.

About the role

As a Senior Underwriter, you will deliver profitable underwriting services to clients, joining an established team in AXA XL’s Central Zone. You will report to the Head of Excess Casualty – Central Zone in Chicago, IL.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite, manage, and service your own book of business while adhering to AXA XL’s underwriting guidelines and annual goals.
• Market and solicit new business opportunities from broker partners to grow relationships in the retail community.
• Cross-sell with other business units to maximize AXA XL’s success through data-mining, targeted accounts, and relationships.
• Analyze submission data, including applications, policy wording, inspection reports, and loss runs, while conducting research to assess risk for each account.
• Utilize underwriting tools, such as exposure, experience, and industry ratings, to analyze complex casualty exposure (loss rating experience is a plus).
• Adhere to underwriting guidelines, authorities, and referral requirements for regional management, product management, and chief underwriting officers.
• Collaborate with internal colleagues—including actuarial, claims, legal, and risk engineering—to assess current and prospective risks.
• Contribute to regional planning by developing and executing your annual desk-level underwriting plan.
• Travel within the Central Zone (20%) for client, broker, and internal meetings, covering major midwestern/southern cities and potentially New York for client engagements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or relevant work experience.
• Moderate to extensive experience in the relevant class of business, with functional knowledge and skills of a fully competent practitioner.
• Robust industry knowledge and commercial/business acumen.
• Analytical, negotiation, and sales/marketing skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a strong customer service focus.
• Interpersonal savvy—demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective insured and broker contacts.
• Ability to develop and understand business processes, strategy, and planning.
• Collaborative team player who provides creative solutions and ideas for resolution.

Benefits

• Inclusive culture with a strategic commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability, and inclusion, with 20 chapters globally.
• Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements.
• Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits.
• Competitive retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and other financial benefits.
• Learning and development opportunities to hone professional skills and advance careers.
• Volunteering and charitable giving programs, including Matching Gifts, Volunteering Leave, and the annual Global Day of Giving.

Pay

The U.S. base salary range for this position is USD 119,500 – 199,100. Actual pay will be determined based on skills, experience, and location, with a focus on market alignment and internal equity.

About AXA XL

AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, specializes in solving complex risks for mid-sized companies, multinationals, and individuals. By combining a comprehensive capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and top talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, AXA XL delivers innovative risk solutions across property, casualty, professional, financial lines, and specialty. Learn more at axaxl.com.