Underwriting Manager

James Search Group; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

James Search Group is partnering with a leading global P&C insurance carrier to appoint an experienced Underwriting Manager to lead a high-performing Energy underwriting team across the Southeast.

The role is a true player-coach leadership opportunity: you will mentor a team of underwriters, manage your own book of large accounts, influence underwriting strategy, and drive profitable growth while handling some of the market's largest and most complex risks.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in complex casualty, Energy, specialty or commercial underwriting.
• Proven experience underwriting large, sophisticated accounts.
• Experience managing an underwriting portfolio with meaningful premium and exposure.
• Current or previous underwriting management experience is preferred, but strong Senior Underwriters ready to move into leadership will also be considered.
• Experience mentoring or developing other underwriters.
• Strong understanding of casualty risk, pricing, coverage, terms and portfolio management.
• Energy underwriting experience is highly desirable across upstream, midstream, downstream, power or renewables.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of underwriters.
• Maintain an active underwriting portfolio while providing leadership and direction to the broader team.
• Underwrite and oversee complex casualty and Energy-related risks across the Southeast.
• Evaluate large and technically complex accounts, including risk selection, pricing, terms, conditions and profitability.
• Develop and execute underwriting strategies to drive profitable portfolio growth.
• Review and approve submissions and referrals outside individual underwriter authority.
• Monitor portfolio performance, identify trends and adjust underwriting strategy as needed.
• Build and maintain relationships with wholesale brokers, retail brokers, clients and market partners.
• Drive new business opportunities through broker relationships, client meetings and industry events.
• Partner with senior leadership on large, complex accounts.
• Coach underwriters and contribute to development of underwriting talent and technical expertise.
• Ensure adherence to guidelines, regulatory requirements and internal risk management standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve underwriting processes and portfolio performance.

Skills

Team leadership

Underwriting management

Energy underwriting

Complex casualty underwriting

Portfolio management

Broker relationships

Strategic pricing

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Certifications such as CPCU/ARM/CII

Job description

Location: Buckhead, Atlanta, GA / Hybrid

Compensation: Competitive base salary + bonus + comprehensive benefits

James Search Group is partnering with a leading global P&C insurance carrier to identify an experienced Underwriting Manager to lead a high-performing Energy underwriting team focused on complex, large-account business across the Southeast.

This is a true player-coach leadership opportunity. The successful candidate will lead and develop a team of underwriters while continuing to maintain their own book of significant accounts. The role offers the opportunity to influence underwriting strategy, portfolio performance and profitable growth while working with some of the largest and most complex risks in the market.

While direct Energy underwriting experience is highly valued, our client is also open to exceptional complex casualty underwriters from specialty or commercial insurance backgrounds who have experience managing sophisticated, large accounts and are ready to take the next step into formal leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of experienced and developing underwriters.
• Maintain an active underwriting portfolio while providing leadership and direction to the broader team.
• Underwrite and oversee complex casualty and Energy-related risks across the Southeast.
• Evaluate large and technically complex accounts, including risk selection, pricing, terms, conditions and overall profitability.
• Develop and execute underwriting strategies designed to drive profitable portfolio growth.
• Review and approve submissions and referrals that fall outside individual underwriter authority.
• Monitor portfolio performance, identify emerging trends and make adjustments to underwriting strategy as needed.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with wholesale brokers, retail brokers, clients and other key market partners.
• Drive new business opportunities through broker relationships, client meetings, presentations and industry events.
• Partner with senior leadership and other underwriting teams on large, complex and strategic accounts.
• Coach underwriters and contribute to the development of underwriting talent and technical expertise.
• Ensure adherence to underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements and internal risk management standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve underwriting processes, portfolio performance and operational efficiency.

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years of experience in complex casualty, Energy, specialty or commercial underwriting.
• Proven experience underwriting large, sophisticated accounts.
• Experience managing an underwriting portfolio with meaningful premium and exposure.
• Current or previous underwriting management experience is preferred, but strong Senior Underwriters ready to make the move into leadership will also be considered.
• Experience managing, mentoring or developing other underwriters.
• Strong understanding of casualty risk, pricing, coverage, terms and portfolio management.
• Energy underwriting experience is highly desirable, particularly across upstream, midstream, downstream, power, renewables or related industries.
• Established relationships with wholesale and retail brokerage partners, particularly across the Southeast, are highly valued.
• Strong commercial judgment with the ability to balance growth, risk selection and profitability.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Insurance, Engineering or a related discipline; professional designations such as CPCU, ARM or CII are a plus.
• Willingness to travel periodically for broker, client and industry meetings.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join a leading global P&C insurance organization in a highly visible underwriting leadership position.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Lead and develop a talented underwriting team.
• Maintain their own meaningful book of business.
• Work on large and complex casualty risks.
• Build relationships with leading wholesale brokers and major clients.
• Influence underwriting strategy and portfolio growth.
• Take the next step in their career within a global specialty insurance platform.

James Search Group is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate candidates based on qualifications, experience and potential and are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process.