Senior Underwriter, Marine

Ryan Specialty, LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ryan Specialty, LLC is seeking a Senior Underwriter to manage a portfolio of complex commercial marine and specialty risks. You will exercise broad underwriting authority, develop strategies, negotiate terms, and mentor junior staff to balance growth with disciplined risk selection.

You will collaborate with brokers, agents, and insureds, monitor profitability, and drive renewal opportunities while ensuring adherence to company guidelines and industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent insurance industry experience.
• 7–10 years of commercial underwriting or related experience.
• Experience underwriting complex marine, transportation, energy, or specialty risks.
• Proven ability to manage broker relationships and drive growth.
• Strong understanding of policy forms, risk assessment, and underwriting principles.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of commercial marine and specialty accounts.
• Evaluate complex risks and determine acceptability and pricing.
• Negotiate terms directly with brokers, agents, and insureds.
• Develop coverage structures and pricing strategies.
• Mentor underwriting staff and provide technical guidance.
• Collaborate with claims, compliance, and operations teams.

Skills

Underwriting expertise

Relationship management

Negotiation

Mentorship

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Underwriting systems

Policy administration systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Underwriter is responsible for underwriting and managing a portfolio of complex commercial marine and specialty insurance risks while driving profitable growth and maintaining strong broker relationships. This role exercises broad underwriting authority, develops underwriting strategies for new and renewal business, negotiates terms and pricing, and serves as a technical resource and mentor to underwriting staff. The successful candidate will possess strong underwriting expertise, relationship management skills, and the ability to balance production goals with disciplined risk selection. What will your job entail?

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of new and renewal commercial marine and specialty insurance accounts within established underwriting authority.
• Evaluate complex risks, including financial, operational, contractual, and loss exposure information to determine acceptability and pricing.
• Analyze submissions, loss experience, exposure data, surveys, valuations, and other underwriting information to make informed underwriting decisions.
• Develop coverage structures, pricing strategies, terms, conditions, and underwriting recommendations consistent with company guidelines and profitability objectives.
• Negotiate pricing, coverage, and terms directly with brokers, agents, and insureds.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with producers, brokers, agents, carrier partners, and key clients to support new business production and retention.
• Monitor account profitability and portfolio performance, identifying trends and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Issue quotations, indications, binders, endorsements, and policy documentation while ensuring accuracy and compliance with underwriting guidelines.
• Manage renewal strategies and proactively identify growth opportunities within existing accounts.
• Review and approve underwriting documentation, referrals, and transactions within delegated authority levels.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and mentorship to Underwriters, Underwriting Associates, and other team members.
• Collaborate with claims, compliance, operations, accounting, and distribution teams to ensure effective account management and service delivery.
• Assist with the development and implementation of underwriting guidelines, procedures, and best practices.
• Support facility management, bordereaux reporting, carrier reporting requirements, and portfolio analytics as applicable.
• Participate in strategic initiatives, product development, process improvements, and business planning activities.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, broker meetings, and client functions to strengthen market presence and relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent insurance industry experience.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of commercial underwriting, brokerage, or related insurance experience.
• Demonstrated experience underwriting complex marine, transportation, energy, specialty, or commercial casualty risks.
• Proven ability to manage broker relationships and independently drive profitable business growth.
• Strong understanding of policy forms, coverage analysis, risk assessment, and underwriting principles.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency in underwriting systems, policy administration systems, Microsoft Office, and data analysis tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Commercial marine underwriting experience, including Hull & Machinery, Protection & Indemnity, Marine General Liability, MEL, Excess Liability, Inland Marine, or Transportation risks.
• Existing broker and industry relationships within marine, energy, transportation, or specialty insurance markets.
• CPCU, ARM, AU, AMIM, or other industry designations.
• Experience managing delegated authority programs, facilities, MGAs, or Lloyd's business.
• Prior experience mentoring or leading underwriting staff.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of commercial insurance principles, underwriting practices, and coverage analysis.
• Strong understanding of marine and specialty insurance exposures and market conditions.
• Ability to independently evaluate, structure, and negotiate complex insurance transactions.
• Excellent portfolio management and profitability analysis skills.
• Strong producer relationship management and business development capabilities.
• Ability to make sound underwriting decisions under broad authority levels.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities.

Ryan Specialty is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse workforce throughout the organization. Our vision is an inclusive and equitable workplace where all employees are valued for and evaluated on their performance and contributions. Differences in race, creed, color, religious beliefs, physical or mental capabilities, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and many other characteristics bring together varied perspectives and add value to the service we provide our clients, trading partners, and communities. This policy extends to all aspects of our employment practices, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, discipline, firing, promoting, transferring, compensation, benefits, training, leaves of absence, and other terms, conditions, and benefits of employment.

How We Support Our Teammates

Ryan Specialty seeks to offer our employees a comprehensive and best-in-class benefits package that helps them - and their family members - achieve their physical, financial, and emotional well-being goals. In addition to paid time off for company holidays, vacation, sick and personal days, Ryan offers paid parental leave, mental health services and more.

The target salary range for this position is $104,000.00 - $130,000.00 annually. The wage range for this role considers many factors, such as training, transferable skills, work experience, licensure and certification, business needs, and market demands. The pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Full-time roles are eligible for bonuses and benefits. For additional information on Ryan Specialty Total Rewards, visit our website https://benefits.ryansg.com/.

We provide individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable law. Please contact us to request an accommodation at [e-mail]

The above is intended to describe this job's general requirements. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

A multi-time winner of Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces and Insurance Business’s Top Insurance Employers, Ryan Specialty is home to some of the brightest talent in the insurance industry. Join our team and help provide innovative solutions for insurance brokers, agents and carriers.