Assistant Vice President, M&A Underwriter

Ethos Specialty Insurance Services LP; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Ethos Specialty Insurance Services LP is seeking an Assistant Vice President in New York. This role involves evaluating M&A risks, engaging directly with clients, and managing transaction workflows. Ideal candidates will have 2-5 years of transactional experience.

The position emphasizes strong communication skills and independence, with a focus on mentorship and exposure to diverse M&A transactions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2–5 years of transactional experience.
• Experience conducting due diligence exercises is strongly preferred.
• Candidates with strong legal or financial transaction backgrounds encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret transaction agreements and due diligence materials.
• Analyze transactional risks and support underwriting decisions.
• Engage directly with clients and deal professionals.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication skills

Negotiation skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Ability to multitask

Entrepreneurial mindset

Creative problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Law degree (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About the Role

This position is ideal for a candidate with a strong interest in mergers and acquisitions who thrives in a client‑facing, fast‑paced environment and enjoys evaluating transactional risk. As an Assistant Vice President, you will work closely with Ethos Specialty’s senior underwriting team, benefiting from hands‑on mentorship and structured on‑the‑job training. The role offers exposure to a wide range of M&A transactions and transactional liability products providing a strong foundation for growth in a sophisticated underwriting discipline.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Review and interpret transaction agreements, due diligence materials, representations and warranties, and other documentation to evaluate M&A‑related risks.
• Apply legal, financial and commercial judgment to analyze transactional risks and support underwriting decisions relating to domestic and cross‑border deals.
• Assess underlying risk in accordance with Ethos Specialty’s Transactional Liability product line policies and procedures.
• Draft, review and negotiate non‑binding indication letters, insurance policies, and binder agreements.
• Engage directly with clients, clients’ advisors, brokers, and other deal professionals in a client‑facing capacity.
• Manage transaction workflows in coordination with outside counsel, in‑house underwriting professionals, and broker partners.
• Participate in underwriting and diligence calls, contributing to risk discussions and coverage structuring.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with brokers, clients, and other deal professionals on behalf of Ethos Specialty.
• Present underwriting analyses, key risks, and preliminary conclusions to senior underwriters and/or management.
• Manage all aspects of file and deal administration throughout the underwriting process.

Professional Skills

• Strong written and oral communication skills; proficient in drafting and reviewing legal and commercial documents.
• Ability to negotiate with commercially and legally sophisticated advisors and clients.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate on a global basis.
• Ability to multitask and be decisive on technical underwriting points in a fast‑paced deal environment.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work independently.
• Creative, commercial, and practical problem‑solving skills.
• Strong file and deal management skills.

Technical Knowledge

• Familiarity with M&A transaction structures, deal documentation, and due diligence processes across a range of transaction types.
• Ability to review and comprehend financial statements, legal agreements, diligence reports, and related transaction documents.
• Comprehensive understanding of representations, warranties, and indemnification concepts in the context of M&A transactions.
• Knowledge of R&W insurance, Tax insurance, or other Transactional Liability products is a plus but not required.
• Familiarity with financial statement analysis is a plus but not required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Experience

• Minimum of 2–5 years of transactional experience at a major law firm, Big Four accounting firm, or other relevant professional services environment.
• Experience conducting due diligence exercises, deal structuring, or reviewing and working with transactional documents is strongly preferred.
• No prior insurance or underwriting experience required — candidates with strong legal or financial transaction backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• Experience in M&A advisory, corporate law, or related transactional fields is a strong plus.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Law degree (J.D.) preferred.
• Other advanced degrees or relevant professional certifications will be considered.

Additional Information

Employment Type: Full-Time / Permanent

Estimated Travel: 10–15%

Location: New York City metropolitan area; other locations will be considered