Senior Broker Specialist - Construction Underwriter

Vela Insurance Services (a Berkley Company); Scottsdale (AZ); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vela Insurance Services, a Berkley Company, seeks a Senior Broker Specialist / Construction Underwriter in Scottsdale, AZ, with focus on sales, strategy, and underwriting expertise. You’ll own broker relationships and marketplace strategy within the E&S construction space.

You’ll drive new business, partner with wholesale brokers, and influence product direction while traveling to industry events and client visits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Insurance, Risk Management, or related field preferred.
• 5-8+ years of E&S underwriting or broker-facing sales experience.

Responsibilities

• Own new business production as lead underwriter for assigned market segment.
• Build and deepen broker relationships through proactive engagement and visits.
• Serve as primary contact for assigned wholesale brokers with responsive underwriting guidance.
• Collaborate with internal underwriting and support teams for timely, competitive solutions.
• Negotiate pricing and terms to secure profitable, sustainable business.
• Manage and grow a new-business pipeline to meet production goals.
• Support renewal retention and contribute to portfolio health.
• Leverage technology and AI tools to improve efficiency and decision making.
• Monitor rate adequacy, productivity, and portfolio performance insights.
• Provide underwriting guidance and feedback for product enhancements.
• Represent the company at industry events and broker meetings.
• Travel regularly to strengthen relationships and market presence.

Skills

Broker relationships

Underwriting

New business sales

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Insurance

Tools

Underwriting software

Job description

Company Details Vela Insurance Services provides specialized Excess and Surplus Lines Casualty and Professional Liability insurance solutions in the following market segments: Construction, Specialty Casualty, & Professional Liability. We offer national service and local knowledge to our exclusive wholesale broker network and the businesses they serve. LI #Remote

Senior Broker Specialist / Construction Underwriter

Location: Scottsdale, AZ or Western locations

Are you a relationship-driven underwriter who thrives at the intersection of sales, strategy, and underwriting expertise? This forward-facing role puts you at the center of new business growth, giving you ownership of broker relationships, market strategy, and portfolio performance within the E&S construction space.

As a Broker Specialist / Construction Underwriter, you’ll act as both a trusted underwriting expert and a strategic partner to wholesale brokers-driving profitable new business, influencing product direction, and representing the company in the marketplace.

What You’ll Do

• Own new business production by serving as the lead underwriter for your assigned market segment.
• Build and deepen broker relationships through proactive engagement, strategic planning, and in-person visits.
• Act as the primary point of contact for assigned wholesale brokers, delivering responsive service and thoughtful underwriting guidance.
• Partner cross-functionally with internal underwriting and support teams to deliver timely, competitive, and customized solutions.
• Negotiate pricing and terms to secure profitable, sustainable business.
• Manage and grow a robust new-business pipeline, consistently meeting or exceeding production goals.
• Support renewal retention efforts and contribute to long-term portfolio health.
• Shape efficiency, productivity, and decision-making by leveraging technology and AI tools
• Contribute to underwriting growth strategies by monitoring rate adequacy, productivity metrics, and portfolio performance.
• Provide insight on underwriting guidelines and product enhancements based on market trends and broker feedback.
• Represent the organization at industry events, broker meetings, and conferences.
• Travel regularly to strengthen relationships and drive market presence

Why This Role

• High-visibility, market-facing position with real influence on growth and strategy
• Strong balance of underwriting authority and relationship ownership
• Opportunity to shape portfolio direction and product evolution
• Career growth within a collaborative, forward-thinking organization

Qualifications

• What You Bring
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Insurance, Risk Management, or a related field (preferred).
  • 5-8+ years of experience in E&S underwriting or broker-facing insurance sales.
  • Proven success in new business production and relationship management demonstrating strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
  • Knowledge of E&S market dynamics and wholesale broker distribution.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Additional Company Details

• Regular travel is required for broker visits and industry events.
• Hybrid or remote work options available depending on location.

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Sponsorship not Offered for this Role