Manager, Underwriting

Berkley Southwest (a Berkley Company); Coppell (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Berkley Southwest (a Berkley Company) is seeking a Manager, Commercial Lines Underwriting to lead a high-performing team in Coppell, TX. The role focuses on underwriting excellence, regulatory compliance, and profitable growth through strong agency relationships.

You will coach and develop staff, conduct performance reviews, and monitor production metrics to ensure quality and performance. Travel within the territory is required.

Qualifications

• Six years of experience in commercial underwriting or related leadership role.
• Ability to communicate complex underwriting concepts clearly to teams and partners.
• Strong judgment and data-driven decision making in diverse underwriting scenarios.
• Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills for internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel; comfort with underwriting systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to underwriting team and develop talent.
• Oversee performance reviews, goals, and production metrics.
• Track KPIs: pipeline, quotes, new business, retention, loss performance, rate attainment.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and company standards in daily activities.
• Design and deliver underwriting training programs and SOP improvements.
• Onboard and train new hires within underwriting function.
• Maintain strong agency relationships through regular travel in territory.
• Collaborate to improve systems, procedures, and workflow efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Underwriting knowledge

Data analysis

Mentoring

Agency relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in insurance or related field

CPCU or advanced insurance education

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Proprietary underwriting systems

Digital underwriting platforms

Job description

Company Details
The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Company Details
The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Responsibilities
The Manager, Commercial Lines Underwriting is responsible for leading and developing a team of underwriters within an assigned territory, driving underwriting excellence, and ensuring adherence to regulatory and company standards while supporting profitability, growth, and strong agency relationships.

• Provide effective leadership and guidance to the underwriting team, fostering a culture of underwriting excellence, accountability, and continuous professional development.
• Oversee and conduct regular performance reviews, establish clear goals, and monitor production metrics to ensure underwriting quality and achievement of business objectives.
• Actively track and report on key performance indicators for the portfolio, including pipeline activity, quoting volume, new business generation, overall book composition, business mix, retention rates, loss performance, and rate attainment.
• Maintain a hands‑on approach to daily underwriting activities, ensuring all tasks are executed in compliance with regulatory requirements, production targets, quality standards, and service expectations.
• Develop individualized development plans for team members, supporting career growth and skill enhancement through coaching, mentoring, and targeted training initiatives.
• Lead talent management activities, including interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, and addressing employee concerns in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Cultivate and maintain strong agency relationships through regular travel within the assigned territory, representing the company with professionalism and integrity.
• Collaborate with the underwriting team to develop, document, and continuously improve standard operating procedures, identifying inefficiencies and implementing innovative solutions to optimize workflow and results.
• Design, deliver, and update training programs on underwriting topics and procedures to ensure team proficiency and compliance with evolving standards.
• Assume responsibility for the onboarding and comprehensive training of new hires within the underwriting function, ensuring a smooth transition and rapid integration into the team.
• Review and analyze management reports to verify achievement of production, quality, and service standards, implementing corrective actions or process improvements as needed.
• Conduct periodic quality audits to ensure proper file documentation and adherence to compliance requirements, proactively addressing any gaps or deficiencies.
• Manage underwriting of new and renewal accounts for a designated territory as needed, with a focus on key agency relationships and profitable portfolio growth.
• Participate in the evaluation and testing of underwriting systems, including policy processing, online submission platforms, imaging, and workflow tools, contributing to system enhancements and operational efficiency.
• Lead or contribute to special projects and initiatives as assigned, demonstrating adaptability and a commitment to organizational success.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years’ experience in a commercial underwriting or related insurance leadership role, with demonstrated expertise in multi-line products including rating, coverage, processing, and underwriting preferred.
• Strong ability to communicate complex underwriting concepts through visual, verbal, and written instruction, supporting team development and knowledge transfer.
• Demonstrated discretion and independent judgment in decision-making, utilizing available data and sound logic to address diverse underwriting scenarios.
• Effective presentation skills, with the ability to convey information clearly in one-on-one and small group settings to colleagues, agents, and customers.
• Professional and approachable demeanor in all business interactions, fostering positive relationships with team members, agency partners, and external stakeholders.
• Proficient in researching, analyzing, and interpreting documentation, procedure manuals, and rating tools to support team performance and resolve issues.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and consistently meet established deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to comprehend and convey instructions, correspondence, and memos effectively.
• Advanced proficiency in PC software applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as proprietary company systems and digital underwriting platforms.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and the consistent demonstration of WRBC Leadership Core Competencies and Innovation Behaviors.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards relevant to commercial lines underwriting.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate the WRBC Leadership Core Competencies and Innovation Behaviors.

Education Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree in insurance or related field and/or a minimum of six (6) years of commercial lines underwriting experience.
• Advanced insurance education desired, such as Associate in General Insurance, Kaplan Insurance courses, CPCU, etc.

Additional Company Details
We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting agencies or firms.

Additional Requirements

Location and Travel:

• Primary location Coppell, TX.
• Travel: Regular travel within the assigned territory; some travel with overnight out-of-town visits required.

Sponsorship Details
Sponsorship not Offered for this Role