Senior Underwriter/Underwriting Specialist, Ocean Cargo

About the role

The primary purpose of this position is to underwrite new business and renewals in a profitable manner and according to authority level and established guidelines. Assigned larger, more important and more complex accounts. Utilize underwriting tools to determine accurate classifications, rates, and premium charges. Understand state laws, including cancellation and non-renewal, within assigned territory to properly transact business within each state.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical underwriter with deep expertise in Marine Cargo, including international and domestic transit and stock throughput.
• Demonstrate expert understanding of Marine Cargo policy structures including broker manuscript forms.
• Underwrite complex new and renewal Marine Cargo accounts in accordance with established underwriting authority, guidelines, and portfolio strategy; quote, negotiate, bind, and manage risks from initial submission through policy issuance.
• Analyze and interpret complex loss histories, applying experience rating, loss rating, and actuarial concepts where appropriate; collaborate closely with internal actuarial partners to ensure technically sound pricing decisions.
• Provide technical policy review, coverage, and rating guidance to brokers, internal partners, and junior underwriters.
• Engage consistently in claims reviews and large loss discussions, partnering with Claims to understand loss drivers, improve risk selection, and refine underwriting strategy.
• Maintain complete, audit-ready underwriting files, ensuring compliance with documentation, authority, and governance standards.
• Act as a mentor for junior underwriters, supporting their underwriting judgment and development.
• Own and actively manage a Marine Cargo pipeline, including:
• Building a forward-looking flow of submission opportunities aligned with underwriting appetite and capacity.
• Managing broker expectations on timing, appetite, and decision-making.
• Ensuring pipeline activity translates into sustainable, profitable growth.
• Cultivate and strengthen retail and wholesale broker relationships across the U.S., serving as a trusted technical resource and long-term partner.
• Represent the company externally through thoughtful, innovative marketing strategies, broker meetings, industry events, and client presentations within the Marine Cargo community.
• Present at senior-level underwriting meetings with brokers, insureds, and internal leadership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of complex retail & wholesale Marine Cargo underwriting experience or combination of other relevant experience.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge and skills reflective of progression of positions of increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to underwrite, negotiate, and manage complex cargo risks independently.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills; able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated marketing and relationship building skills.
• Four year college degree and/or CPCU or similar designation preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Microsoft Office skills to include MS Word and MS Excel.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Must be a team player that enjoys a flexible and spontaneous business environment with a desire to succeed.

Skills

• Up to 25% travel US.

Benefits

Pay Information: The base salary offered for the successful candidate will be based on compensable factors such as job-relevant education, job-relevant experience, training, licensure, demonstrated competencies, geographic location, and other factors. The national average salary range for the Sr. Underwriter position is $92,880 - $127,710/year with 25% incentive, the Underwriting Specialist position is $104,480 - $143,660/year with a 25% incentive.

About Markel

We are a Fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory and investment operations around the world. We're all about people | We win together | We strive for better We enjoy the everyday | We think further

What's In It For You

• Competitive benefit programs that help meet our diverse and changing environment as well as support our employees' needs at all stages of life.
• All full-time employees have the option to select from multiple health, dental and vision insurance plan options and optional life, disability, and AD&D insurance.
• We also offer a 401(k) with employer match contributions, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, PTO, corporate holidays and floating holidays, parental leave.