Underwriting Manager

Company Details:

Berkley Aspire is an excess & surplus lines insurer of commercial risks unable to find a home in the standard markets. We are an operating unit of WR Berkley, a publicly traded (NYSE “WRB”) global insurer founded in 1967. 

We make excess & surplus lines easy – easy for our distribution partners, easy for the businesses they represent, and easy to navigate. The lines of coverage we underwrite include general liability, property, and excess liability. Our model is different than our competitors – we do the premium billing and do not add interest/ finance percentage, we offer enhanced commissions, and we handle the stamping, affidavit filings, and other behind-the-scenes paperwork. 

Our company culture is entrepreneurial, employee centric, and focused on sustainable growth. Aspire teammates work either remotely or on a hybrid schedule from offices in Scottsdale, Cincinnati, and Richmond. If you are looking for a company that offers room for advancement, great benefits, and positive vibes, then Aspire may be the place for you!

www.berkleyaspire.com

The Underwriting Manager will lead a middle market production underwriting team in the Central and Mountain states. They will provide oversight and direction to their assigned team to ensure production goals are met, underwriting guidelines are adhered to, and profit and loss goals are achieved.  As a leader on the Underwriting team they will coach and mentor their team in surplus lines underwriting theory, sales acumen, and retail agency management with a goal of seeking out and securing opportunities to quote and bind profitable surplus lines business.   

Specific Duties

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the middle market excess and surplus lines industry
• Responsible for all production and underwriting (profit/loss) results for the middle market production underwriting team
• Ability to Underwrite (larger, more complex) risks for Excess & Surplus lines class(es) of business according to Aspire’s underwriting principles and in line with authority limits
• Act as a referral point for underwriters on more complex risks and lead associate through adequate pricing and appropriate terms on a risk-by-risk basis
• Lead and coach the production underwriting team through an advanced understanding of underwriting guidelines, state regulations, facultative reinsurance placement and OFAC regulations
• Conduct performance management duties including KPI analytics
• Participate on projects and initiatives as assigned by leadership
• Review claims activity, loss control survey, and inspection reports for compliance with existing policies, handling exceptions as required and recommending improvements
• Provide support to assigned team to ensure accurate and timely servicing of accounts
• Collaborate with across silos with a desire to creatively solve problems making Aspire a stronger company
• Partner with the Marketing, Sales and Distribution team to develop, implement and execute a state, territory and region level strategy.
• Lead delivery of appropriate customer service levels
• Determine and lead delivery of training and development based on individual and unit needs - Coaches, develops and provides feedback to associates
• In partnership with the Marketing, Sales and Distribution team, assist the production underwriting team with development and execution of sound action plans to drive business from key agents
• Monitor, track and analyze the effectiveness of agency partnerships to support course corrections and decision making.

May perform other functions as assigned.

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• BS/BA college degree preferred with a focus in the areas of business administration, finance or marketing.
• Successful completion of insurance related coursework is a plus
• Minimum of 10 years of P&C insurance industry experience
• Surplus lines experience preferred
• Required Residential P&C and Surplus Line License or able to obtain within 90 days of employment
• Established retail agent relationships a plus
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Ability to effectively influence internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Advanced knowledge of insurance principles, rates, rules, forms, procedures, regulations, coverages and business processes
• Ability to analyze complex administrative or business problems, evaluate alternatives, and make appropriate recommendations