Contractors Market Segment Leader: Underwriting & Growth

Selective Insurance; Short Hills (NJ); On-site; USD 184,000 - 238,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan match

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Tuition assistance

20 days paid time off

Job summary

Selective Insurance is seeking a Senior Underwriter to lead the Contractors portfolio, guiding strategy and profitability across markets. You will mentor a team of subject-matter experts, handle high-exposure referrals, and collaborate across actuarial, analytics, product and regional leaders to balance risk and growth.

The role emphasizes field presence, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of commercial lines underwriting in a dynamic market environment.

Qualifications

• Managing small projects; excellent customer service, networking and relationship-building skills; strong sales and negotiation skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability, and excellent presentation skills; proven leadership capability. Must have a valid state-issued driver license and be able to drive.

Responsibilities

• Set and advance the underwriting strategy for the Contractors market segment, ensuring broad appetite and compliant guidelines.
• Generate insights at portfolio/segment level to drive growth and profitability, refining underwriting standards.
• Monitor external factors and engage with customers to understand operations, exposures and evolving needs.
• Identify expansion opportunities and partner with Product teams on technology solutions to improve underwriting.
• Lead a team of experts handling referrals and consultations with regional front-line underwriters.
• Provide underwriting expertise on complex/high-exposure risks for the segment's referrals.
• Maintain strong field presence to balance underwriting with sales and competitive intelligence.
• Collaborate with actuarial, analytics, claims, legal, product, compliance and region leaders.

Skills

Project management

Customer service

Networking

Relationship building

Sales

Negotiation

Problem solving

Presentation skills

Leadership

Education

College degree preferred

Job description

Selective Insurance is seeking a Senior Underwriter to lead the Contractors portfolio, guiding strategy and profitability across markets. You will mentor a team of subject-matter experts, handle high-exposure referrals, and collaborate across actuarial, analytics, product and regional leaders to balance risk and growth.

The role emphasizes field presence, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of commercial lines underwriting in a dynamic market environment.