Underwriter

Ryan Specialty, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 86,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Velocity Risk Underwriters, part of Ryan Specialty, seeks an experienced Underwriter II to join our growing team. You will evaluate, price, and manage new and renewal property business within delegated authority while maintaining a profitable portfolio.

Strong broker relationships, analytical skills, and collaboration with underwriting, brokerage, operations, claims, and carrier partners will drive success in this role. Join a high‑performing team with competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Business, Finance, Insurance, or related field.
• 5+ years of commercial property underwriting experience.
• Strong knowledge of property underwriting principles, policy structures, pricing methodologies.
• Experience evaluating complex commercial property risks.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship management abilities.
• Proficiency with underwriting systems, Microsoft Office, and data‑driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of new and renewal property business.
• Evaluate submissions, loss history, CAT modeling results, risk characteristics, and exposure data to make sound underwriting decisions.
• Assess risk acceptability, coverage requirements, pricing adequacy, and policy structures.
• Negotiate terms, conditions, deductibles, and pricing with brokers to achieve profitable growth objectives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with wholesale and retail broker partners.
• Drive new business production while maximizing retention within your assigned portfolio.
• Collaborate with underwriting, brokerage, operations, claims, and carrier partners to deliver exceptional service.
• Ensure underwriting decisions comply with company guidelines, carrier requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Monitor portfolio performance and market trends to identify opportunities and emerging risks.
• Assist in achieving production, profitability, and retention goals established by leadership.

Skills

Property underwriting

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Underwriting software

Microsoft Office

CAT modeling tools

Job description

Position Summary

Velocity Risk Underwriters is a leading managing general agency specializing in catastrophe-exposed property insurance solutions. As part of Ryan Specialty, Velocity combines deep underwriting expertise, advanced analytics, and a collaborative culture to deliver innovative solutions for brokers and insureds nationwide. We are seeking an experienced Underwriter II to join our growing team. This role is ideal for a relationship-driven property underwriting professional who enjoys analyzing complex risks, building broker partnerships, and contributing to a high-performing underwriting organization.

What will your job entail?

As an Underwriter, you will be responsible for evaluating, pricing, and managing new and renewal business within delegated authority while maintaining a profitable portfolio.

Key responsibilities include:

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of new and renewal property business.
• Evaluate submissions, loss history, CAT modeling results, risk characteristics, and exposure data to make sound underwriting decisions.
• Assess risk acceptability, coverage requirements, pricing adequacy, and policy structures.
• Negotiate terms, conditions, deductibles, and pricing with brokers to achieve profitable growth objectives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with wholesale and retail broker partners.
• Drive new business production while maximizing retention within your assigned portfolio.
• Collaborate with underwriting, brokerage, operations, claims, and carrier partners to deliver exceptional service.
• Ensure underwriting decisions comply with company guidelines, carrier requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Monitor portfolio performance and market trends to identify opportunities and emerging risks.
• Assist in achieving production, profitability, and retention goals established by leadership.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Business, Finance, Insurance, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of commercial property underwriting experience.
• Strong understanding of property underwriting principles, policy structures, pricing methodologies, and risk assessment.
• Experience evaluating complex commercial property risks.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship management abilities.
• Proficiency with underwriting systems, Microsoft Office, and data-driven decision making.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within an MGA, wholesale, E&S, or specialty insurance environment.
• Experience underwriting catastrophe-exposed property risks.
• CPCU, AU, ARM, or other insurance designations.
• Knowledge of CAT modeling tools and property analytics platforms.

Why Join Velocity?

• Opportunity to work with a recognized leader in specialty property underwriting.
• Entrepreneurial culture supported by the resources and stability of Ryan Specialty.
• Direct exposure to complex and challenging risks.
• Collaborative team environment with significant opportunity for professional growth.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.

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.

Why 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 $85,855.00 - $100,000.00 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.

Ryan Specialty, LLC and its affiliates (“Ryan Specialty”) do not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted by any staffing agencies, placement services or professional recruiters (“Agencies”), including any submissions made through our website or to email accounts of Ryan Specialty employees. Agencies must be registered in Ryan Specialty’s agency portal and have a fully executed contract for service between the Agency. Agency fee agreements will only be valid if provided in such fully executed contract between the Agency and the Agency. Any unsolicited resume or candidate profile received from an Agency without prior approval from Ryan Specialty’s HR department and in compliance with Ryan Specialty’s candidate submission process shall be considered unsolicited, gratuitous and property of Ryan Specialty for recruiting purposes and, as such, is not subject to payment of any Agency fees.