Excess & Surplus Sr. Underwriting Specialist

Hanover Insurance Company; Hyde Park Township (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company is seeking a Senior Underwriting Specialist for their Excess & Surplus team. This role involves underwriting commercial property risks, collaborating with team members, and driving business development activities. The ideal candidate will have strong communication and analytical skills, with a focus on relationship management.

Benefits

Health Insurance

401K with match

PTO

Cultural awareness days

Wellness centers

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of commercial property underwriting experience.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and evaluate new and renewal E&S property business.
• Develop and maintain relationships with wholesale trading partners.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Analytical

Relationship Management

Education

College degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Excess & Surplus Sr. Underwriting Specialist

Richmond, VA, USA

Job Description

Posted Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 4:00 AM

For more than 170 years, The Hanover has been committed to delivering on our promises and being there when it matters the most. We live our values every day, demonstrating we CARE through our values, sustainability initiatives, and an inclusive corporate culture.

Our Specialty, Excess & Surplus team is seeking a strategic, sales-minded, and dynamic Senior Underwriting Specialist – Merit Specialty Property (Wholesale) to join our established and high-performing team. This role will ideally be based in Richmond, VA or Phoenix, AZ, with travel as needed. Other locations may be considered, but candidates must be able to travel to a Hanover office as required. This is a full-time, exempt role.

The Hanover is a diverse and inclusive organization focused on hiring the best talent, and we encourage all qualified professionals to apply. We believe that an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace makes us a better organization and creates a stronger community.

We also understand that workplace and life have changed, so we are reimagining the workplace and offer flexible work arrangements. This role may be hybrid or fully remote for the right candidate.

The actual job title and level may vary depending on qualifications and experience (e.g., Executive Underwriter).

Position Overview

Merit Specialty, a division of The Hanover Insurance Group, seeks to add an Excess & Surplus Lines (E&S) Property Senior Underwriting Specialist to its growing team. The role involves reviewing new and renewal mono-line commercial property risks to determine acceptability for quoting and binding within delegated authority. It requires strong communication, negotiation, relationship-building, and analytical skills to operate effectively in a fast-paced wholesale E&S environment. The candidate should have high technical acumen and a strong underwriting skill set.

This position involves collaboration with team members to underwrite and service accounts, business development activities to identify key wholesale partners, and executing sales and marketing strategies to support Merit Specialty’s E&S property appetite and strategy.

Responsibilities

1. Analyze, evaluate, decline, accept, rate, quote, and bind new and renewal E&S property business within authority limits.
2. Review mid-term endorsements and loss control reports.
3. Drive production and marketing activities to meet goals while maintaining profitability.
4. Develop and maintain relationships with wholesale trading partners and brokers to generate quality new business and manage the portfolio.
5. Apply sound underwriting principles, policies, and procedures.
6. Stay informed on market issues affecting property lines and advocate for change when necessary.
7. Provide high-quality customer service to wholesale brokers.
8. Develop and execute strategies for new and renewal accounts.
9. Sell the Merit Specialty value proposition to partners.
10. Represent Merit Specialty at industry events and conferences.
11. Collaborate with team members and support junior underwriters.
12. Ensure compliance with regulatory and corporate standards.
13. Contribute to strategic planning and execution.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years, ideally over 7 years, of commercial property underwriting experience.
• College degree or equivalent work experience.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Technical, analytical, and quantitative skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Relationship management skills and customer focus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong organization and prioritization skills.
• Professional designations like ASLI, CPCU, ARM are preferred but not required.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Additional Information

We support career growth through on-the-job experiences, coaching, and learning programs. Benefits include health insurance, 401K with match, PTO, cultural awareness days, and wellness centers (Worcester only). We are committed to diversity and equal opportunity employment, providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities upon request.