Small Commercial Underwriter

W. R. Berkley Corporation; Lawrenceville (GA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Berkley Southeast, a member of W. R. Berkley Corporation, is seeking a commercial lines underwriter to evaluate and price risk within guidelines. The role focuses on maintaining profitability while partnering with agents to manage a diverse book of business.

Responsibilities include mentoring other underwriters, training agency staff, and traveling to build strong agency partnerships. CPCU or equivalent coursework is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–5 years commercial lines underwriting experience (CGL, Property, Packages, BOP, Auto, Crime, WC).
• CPCU designation or coursework preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and price risk within delegated guidelines to maintain profitability.
• Partner with agents to manage a book of commercial business and agency relationships.
• Mentor other underwriters and provide technical guidance.
• Train agency staff on products, services, and underwriting philosophy.
• Travel to assigned agent locations to develop agency partnerships.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication skills

Teamwork

Organization

Underwriting knowledge

Education

CPCU or equivalent coursework

Tools

Underwriting software

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.

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

www.berkleysoutheast.com

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.

Key functions include but are not limited to the following:

• 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 2-5 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.
• The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Additional Company Details

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

Sponsorship Details

Sponsorship Offered for this Role