Senior Underwriter

Starr; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Starr is seeking an experienced Ocean Marine Underwriter in New York to lead a substantial book of ocean marine accounts, evaluating risk, pricing, and terms while negotiating with brokers and insureds. You will build strong client relationships and contribute to profitable growth.

You will mentor junior underwriters, monitor portfolio performance, and help steer underwriting decisions in a fast-paced environment at Starr.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of marine production underwriting experience with progressive responsibility and analytical skill.
• Strong knowledge of Ocean Marine forms, terms and conditions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong producer management and production skills aligned to business objectives.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent business experience preferable.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee a significant book of business for ocean marine accounts (Cargo, Hull & Machinery, Marine Liabilities).
• Assess applications for insurability and terms by analyzing risk factors.
• Develop pricing, premiums, deductibles, limits, and policy terms/conditions.
• Negotiate coverage, rates, and conditions with brokers, agents, insureds, or customers.
• Cultivate long-term relationships with key agents, brokers, and clients.
• Drive new business production through proactive marketing and cross-sell opportunities.
• Monitor loss activity, rate adequacy, and portfolio performance; report findings.
• Ensure file documentation standards and compliance with authority levels.
• Mentor and support junior underwriters in complex risk discussions.

Skills

Ocean Marine underwriting

Underwriting analytics

Client relationship management

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Join Starr, a global leader in commercial insurance with over a century of expertise. We empower our employees to innovate, make impactful decisions, and build lasting client relationships worldwide. At Starr, you'll work in an entrepreneurial culture alongside accessible leaders, leveraging our financial strength and vast industry experience to deliver solutions for our clients, no matter how complex. Grow your career with a rapidly growing company that invests in its people and their ability to drive real progress.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and oversee a significant book of business: Take full accountability for the profitability, growth, retention, and overall performance of an assigned portfolio of ocean marine accounts (Cargo, Hull & Machinery, Marine Liabilities). Monitor key metrics like loss ratios, rate adequacy, premium volume, and portfolio health; make strategic renewal, non-renewal, or modification decisions.
• Evaluate and underwrite risk: Assess applications for ocean marine insurance (including cargo, hull and machinery, marine liabilities and related coverages) by analyzing risk factors and other data to determine insurability and appropriate terms.
• Price and quote policies: Develop pricing, premiums, deductibles, limits, and policy terms/conditions using sound underwriting judgement, market conditions, company guidelines, and personal underwriting authority level to ensure profitability.
• Negotiate terms: Skillfully negotiate coverage, rates, and conditions with brokers, agents, insureds, or customers on complex accounts to achieve favorable outcomes while balancing risk and business goals.
• Build and maintain relationships: Cultivate strong, long‑term partnerships with key agents, brokers, and clients; serve as a primary point of contact for major accounts; drive new business production through proactive marketing, relationship management, and identifying cross‑sell or expansion opportunities.
• Support business development: Contribute to production goals by identifying opportunities, underwriting new business efficiently, and collaborating on strategic objectives.
• Monitor and report: Track loss activity, rate adequacy, market trends, and portfolio performance; provide input on underwriting strategies or improvements.
• Meets all file documentation standards, comply with underwriting and authority level standards and pass all audits (both internal and external).
• Mentor and support junior team members: Provide guidance, training, or oversight to less experienced underwriters; assist in complex risk discussion, decision making, or deal structuring.

Skills/Experience Required:

• 5-10 years of marine production underwriting experience, with demonstrated levels of progressive responsibility and analytical skill.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent business experience preferable
• Strong knowledge of Ocean Marine forms, terms and conditions.
• Strong producer management and production skills with an understanding of the profit center’s business objectives.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.

Starr is an equal opportunity employer, which means we'll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and we're committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We offer first class training and development opportunities to all employees. Our aim is to grow our own talent and bring out the best in people.