AVP, Excess Workers Comp Underwriter

Selby Jennings; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Selby Jennings seeks an AVP, Excess Casualty & Workers Compensation to lead complex underwriting initiatives in a senior contributor role. You will underwrite sophisticated risk, evaluate loss histories, and negotiate program terms while partnering with brokers and internal teams.

This high-impact position offers substantial underwriting authority, strong portfolio influence, and a hybrid work environment in the Chicago area for experienced professionals who prefer technical leadership over

Qualifications

• 10+ years of commercial underwriting experience with workers compensation, casualty, excess casualty, or risk management accounts.
• Experience underwriting loss-sensitive, self-insured, captive, large deductible, or structured programs.
• Strong understanding of attachment points, retention structures, collateral requirements, and pricing methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financials, loss experience, and complex risk exposures.
• Established broker relationships and strong business development skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across underwriting, claims, and actuarial teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of complex workers compensation and casualty risks.
• Evaluate loss history, financial statements, operational exposures, and risk characteristics.
• Structure and negotiate program terms, attachment points, retention levels, collateral requirements, and pricing.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with retail and wholesale brokers.
• Drive profitable growth through disciplined underwriting and portfolio management.
• Partner with claims, actuarial, and risk management teams on account strategy and performance.
• Serve as a technical resource and mentor to less experienced underwriters.
• Monitor market conditions, competitive activity, and emerging industry trends.
• Maintain underwriting authority and exercise sound judgment on complex submissions.

Skills

Commercial underwriting

Loss-sensitive analysis

Broker relationships

Portfolio management

Negotiation

Communication

Independent work

Education

CPCU

ARM or ARM-P

ARe

Job description

AVP, Excess Casualty & Workers Compensation

A leading specialty insurance organization is seeking a senior underwriting professional to join its casualty underwriting team. This individual will underwrite complex risk management and loss-sensitive accounts while partnering closely with brokers, distribution partners, claims professionals, and internal stakeholders.

This is a high impact individual contributor opportunity for someone who enjoys technical underwriting, relationship management, and portfolio influence without pursuing a traditional people management path.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of complex workers compensation and casualty risks
• Evaluate loss history, financial statements, operational exposures, and risk characteristics
• Structure and negotiate program terms, attachment points, retention levels, collateral requirements, and pricing
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with retail and wholesale brokers
• Drive profitable growth through disciplined underwriting and portfolio management
• Partner with claims, actuarial, and risk management teams on account strategy and performance
• Serve as a technical resource and mentor to less experienced underwriters
• Monitor market conditions, competitive activity, and emerging industry trends
• Maintain underwriting authority and exercise sound judgment on complex submissions

Qualifications

• 10+ years of commercial underwriting experience with meaningful exposure to workers compensation, casualty, excess casualty, or risk management accounts
• Experience underwriting loss-sensitive, self-insured, captive, large deductible, or other structured insurance programs
• Strong understanding of attachment points, retention structures, collateral requirements, and pricing methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financials, loss experience, and complex risk exposures
• Established broker relationships and strong business development skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across underwriting, claims, and actuarial teams
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills

Preferred Experience

• Excess Workers' Compensation
• National Accounts
• Large Account Casualty
• Alternative Risk / Captive Programs
• Risk Management Business
• Facultative Reinsurance
• Employers Liability
• Structured Casualty Programs

Preferred Designations

• CPCU
• ARM or ARM-P
• ARe

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Opportunity to underwrite sophisticated and highly structured accounts
• Significant autonomy and underwriting authority
• Visible role with meaningful influence on portfolio performance
• Collaborative and specialized underwriting environment
• Hybrid work flexibility
• Clear technical leadership path without requiring direct people management