Middle Market Underwriter

W. R. Berkley Corporation; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation plan

Robust benefits package

Job summary

W. R. Berkley Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama, seeks an experienced underwriter to evaluate and manage commercial risks. The ideal candidate will possess 5-10 years of underwriting experience in areas like CGL and Property.

This role requires strong analytical skills, effective communication, and the ability to develop relationships with agents. A competitive compensation plan and a robust benefits package are provided, including support for professional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience with commercial lines underwriting.
• Strong organizational skills to handle multiple tasks effectively.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory and policy differences.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate risk acceptability and profitability within underwriting guidelines.
• Analyze commercial lines accounts based on risk characteristics.
• Develop ongoing relationships with agents.

Skills

Commercial lines underwriting experience

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Strong communication skills

Relationship management

Education

Four-year college degree

CPCU Designation or equivalent coursework

Tools

Multi-faceted systems

Job description

Company Details

Berkley Southeast is a member company of W. R. Berkley Corporation, a Fortune 500 Company, whose insurance company subsidiaries are rated A+(Superior) by A. M. Best Company. BSIG provides local underwriting, risk services, claim, marketing and audit services for agents and policyholders in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. We take a broad approach to underwriting for ‘best in class’ businesses, primarily in: construction, light manufacturing, wholesale, distribution and business service industries.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority levels, evaluate (selection and pricing) and maintain (control) risk acceptability and profitability within the company’s underwriting guidelines and procedures for commercial risks. Partners with agents to manage a challenging and/or complex book of commercial business or agency relationships. Demonstrates complex decision-making with little or no supervision, recommending quality exceptions where appropriate to maximize profitability and meet business plans. Supports marketing activities to agents and actively participates in the agency management process. Serves as a mentor providing technical support, training, and problem solving for other underwriters. Responsible for working with and protecting confidential and proprietary customer and Company information.

• Analyzes commercial lines accounts to make decisions based on individual risk characteristics, exposure analysis, hazard recognition and control. Utilizes underwriting guidelines to ensure compliance with state regulations. Within delegated authority levels, accepts, rejects or modifies new and/or renewal business to ensure a profitable book of business.
• Prices business according to Company underwriting and pricing guidelines. Assists less experienced underwriters in the handling of high hazard or more complex accounts. Ability to use creativity and underwriting knowledge to write risks and retain business.
• Partners with Territory Managers to support marketing activities by developing ongoing relationships with agents to discuss market appetite, quality and profitability of submissions, service standards, and underwriting and/or product changes. Communicates with agents on underwriting issues including decisions on cancellations, declinations, exposure concerns, and survey results.
• Partners with Territory Managers to identify issues or patterns and works to resolve or improve them; participates in agency planning and review processes; and may identify sales and marketing opportunities. Takes a lead role relative to Key Account review and recommendations.
• Travels, with or without Territory Manager, to assigned agent locations to develop agency partnerships.
• Trains and educates agency staff on Company products, services, processes, and underwriting philosophy.
• Assists in training and serves as a technical resource to other underwriters as needed.
• Attend industry workshops/meetings each year.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5-10 years commercial lines underwriting experience, including but not limited to CGL, Property, Packages, BOP, Auto, Crime, IM, Umbrella and/or WC.
• CPCU Designation or other equivalent coursework preferred.
• Good organizational skills, ability to handle multiple tasks and effectively prioritize.
• Comprehensive knowledge of commercial lines products and contract knowledge including regulatory and policy differences among applicable states.
• Demonstrated depth in negotiation, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong computer skills and ability to work with multi-faceted systems.
• Ability to effectively and independently manage complex workload while exhibiting very sound judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with agents and other departments and must also exemplify superior teamwork.

Education

• Four-year college degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Benefits

The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full-time regular employees. The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship not Offered for this Role.