Sr Underwriter

Argonaut Management Services, Inc; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Argonaut Management Services, Inc in Richmond, Virginia is seeking a Senior Commercial Underwriter responsible for evaluating and underwriting complex insurance risks. This role offers the opportunity to apply advanced expertise while mentoring new underwriters and building relationships with agents.

Candidates should have strong communication skills, 6-8 years of experience, and the ability to negotiate profitable terms. A competitive compensation package with performance incentives and comprehensive benefits is offered.

Qualifications

• 6-8 years of underwriting experience or equivalent knowledge in P&C or commercial industries.
• Ability to negotiate terms and conditions for profitability.
• Strong understanding of underwriting procedures and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and manage complex commercial insurance risks.
• Document underwriting decisions thoroughly in systems.
• Build relationships with agents and stakeholders.

Skills

Written and verbal communication skills

Judgment and problem solving

Mentoring or coaching skills

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

The Senior Commercial Underwriter is responsible for independently evaluating, underwriting, and managing complex commercial insurance risks in alignment with company underwriting guidelines, appetite, and profitability objectives. This role applies advanced technical expertise, sound judgment, and market awareness to assess risk quality, determine appropriate coverage terms and pricing, and drive disciplined growth within an assigned portfolio. The Senior Underwriter serves as a trusted resource to agents and internal partners, provides guidance on unusual or higher hazard accounts, and supports underwriting consistency through mentoring, collaboration, and adherence to regulatory and company standards.

Essential Functions

• Review and assess new business, renewals, endorsements, and cancellations across applicable commercial lines of business.
• Apply appropriate classifications, coverage forms, endorsements, deductibles, and limits based on exposure analysis.
• Ensure policy terms, conditions, and pricing comply with filed rates, rules, state regulations, and company standards.
• Document underwriting decisions clearly and thoroughly in underwriting systems.
• Maintain accuracy and quality of policy documentation and underwriting records.
• Negotiate terms and conditions within authority to balance profitability and competitive positioning.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with agents, brokers, and internal stakeholders.
• Manage and monitor assigned book of business to support profitability, growth, and retention goals.
• Handles co-signs/referrals and mentors new underwriters.
• Assesses alternative ways to make a risk acceptable independently and will often mentor other underwriters on advanced or complex risks.
• Serves as the underwriting representative for assigned territory.
• Educates, coaches, and trains agents on underwriting procedures, philosophy, and new products.

Required Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree preferred but not required. Equivalent experience considered in place of collegiate studies.
• Six to eight years of underwriting experience, or equivalent P&C industry and/or farming or commercial industry knowledge.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain underwriting decisions clearly.
• Sound judgment and problem solving abilities.
• Experience mentoring or coaching less experienced underwriters.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of commercial coverages, policy forms, endorsements, and rating methodology.
• Familiarity with ISO forms, classifications, and state specific rules and regulations.
• Ability to identify coverage gaps, emerging risks, and portfolio trends.
• Industry designations, such as AINS, AU, or CPCU.

Occupational Requirements

• The position requires the ability to effectively communicate with others to exchange information.
• A person in this position establishes methods and procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives and receives guidance in terms of broad goals. Only the final results of work are typically reviewed.
• The position requires 100% physical presence in the company office on a full-time basis.
• Depending on the qualifications of the candidate, this role may be filled at a lower level.

Benefits and Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation package, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits program – including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Base salary range for hires in listed geographic areas: $75,000 - $110,000.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin or citizenship (including language use restrictions), denial of family and medical care leave, disability (mental and physical), including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), race, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, child birth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other status protected by laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.