Head of Builders’ Risk

Galecki Search Associates; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Galecki Search Associates is seeking a Head of Builders’ Risk to design, launch, and grow a Construction Property underwriting program with full P&L responsibility. You’ll set appetite, pricing, carrier relationships, distribution, and build a capable underwriting team.

You will shape a balanced portfolio, evaluate wood-frame exposure and catastrophe risk, and drive scalable growth with support from an experienced executive team and tech infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Typically 10–20 years of specialty property or inland marine underwriting experience, including substantial builders’ risk expertise.
• A demonstrated ability to originate and grow a profitable construction property book across changing market conditions.
• Strong technical judgment regarding construction exposures, coverage, project valuation, catastrophe risk, and wood-frame concentration.
• An established construction broker network, carrier credibility, and experience leading teams or mentoring underwriters.
• P&L fluency, entrepreneurial commitment, comfort with technology and analytics, and a collaborative, low-ego approach. Bachelor’s degree preferred; CPCU, AMIM, or related designations are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define target project types, construction values, territories, coverage offerings, and distribution channels; develop and execute the program’s business plan.
• Establish underwriting standards for construction type, project duration, contractor quality, site protection, water damage, fire, testing, and delay exposures where covered.
• Manage wood-frame participation, catastrophe exposure, project concentrations, limits, deductibles, and pricing to maintain a balanced portfolio.
• Develop specialist broker and carrier relationships, communicate the underwriting strategy, and earn support for the program’s growth.
• Recruit and mentor underwriters; partner with technology, claims, finance, and operations to improve project data, rating, referrals, risk monitoring, and performance reporting.

Skills

P&L fluency

Team leadership

Underwriting

Analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

CPCU/AMIM or related designation a plus

Tools

Underwriting software

Job description

Our insurance client is seeking a Head of Builders’ Risk to design, launch, and grow a Construction Property underwriting program. This role combines full P&L responsibility with autonomy over appetite, pricing, carrier relationships, distribution, and team building. You will have the backing of an experienced executive team and technology infrastructure designed to support efficient underwriting and scalable growth.

You will develop a balanced construction portfolio, selecting projects and structures that support sustainable profitability. Success requires a considered approach to wood-frame exposure, construction hazards, and catastrophe accumulation, together with the drive to build and lead the program over the long term.

Responsibilities

• Define target project types, construction values, territories, coverage offerings, and distribution channels; develop and execute the program’s business plan.
• Establish underwriting standards for construction type, project duration, contractor quality, site protection, water damage, fire, testing, and delay exposures where covered.
• Manage wood-frame participation, catastrophe exposure, project concentrations, limits, deductibles, and pricing to maintain a balanced portfolio.
• Develop specialist broker and carrier relationships, communicate the underwriting strategy, and earn support for the program’s growth.
• Recruit and mentor underwriters; partner with technology, claims, finance, and operations to improve project data, rating, referrals, risk monitoring, and performance reporting.

Qualifications

• Typically 10–20 years of specialty property or inland marine underwriting experience, including substantial builders’ risk expertise.
• A demonstrated ability to originate and grow a profitable construction property book across changing market conditions.
• Strong technical judgment regarding construction exposures, coverage, project valuation, catastrophe risk, and wood-frame concentration.
• An established construction broker network, carrier credibility, and experience leading teams or mentoring underwriters.
• P&L fluency, entrepreneurial commitment, comfort with technology and analytics, and a collaborative, low-ego approach. Bachelor’s degree preferred; CPCU, AMIM, or related designations are a plus.

About Galecki Search Associates

Too many insurance companies waste an incredible amount of time and resources searching for the right hire. At Galecki Search Associates, we developed the HireSure framework to match you with the right hire, so you can be proud of the team you have built.