Underwriting Manager, Builders Risk

Builders Mutual; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Builders Mutual in Raleigh, NC, is seeking an Underwriting Manager for Builders Risk to lead underwriting operations and drive profitable growth through disciplined risk selection and strong portfolio management.

This role collaborates with Product Management, Sales, Risk Management, Claims, Actuarial, and Underwriting Operations to support business objectives, enforce underwriting discipline, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Risk Management, Finance, Insurance, or a related field with 5–7 years of commercial lines underwriting experience.
• Knowledge of commercial insurance coverage, pricing, risk selection, underwriting guidelines, and portfolio management.
• Leadership, supervisory, or team lead experience with ability to manage performance and develop underwriting talent.
• Proven track record contributing to profitable growth, retention, underwriting quality, and customer service within an assigned portfolio or business segment.
• Experience managing agency, broker, or distribution relationships and resolving complex underwriting or customer issues.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills across organizational levels.
• Strong planning, analytical, decision-making, and organizational skills, including prioritization and change leadership.
• Proficiency with underwriting and rating systems, data and reporting tools, and standard office technology.

Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting operations for an assigned business segment, portfolio, or team, establishing priorities aligned with strategy and ensuring consistent execution.
• Drive profitable growth through disciplined risk selection, pricing, retention, portfolio management, and adherence to guidelines and authority.
• Monitor production, profitability, loss trends, exposure concentrations, and service quality; implement action plans to improve performance.
• Review and approve complex risks within delegated authority, escalating when needed.
• Recruit, lead, coach, and retain a high-performing team; manage performance and career development.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture with sound judgment and continuous improvement.
• Build relationships with agencies, brokers, and distribution partners while balancing growth and discipline.
• Partner with Product Management and Sales to identify market opportunities and support pricing, coverage, and distribution strategies.
• Collaborate with Risk Management, Claims, Actuarial, Compliance, and Underwriting Operations to address trends and system improvements.
• Use data, analytics, systems, and workflows to improve decision quality, efficiency, and scalability while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting experience

Portfolio management

Agency relationships

Communication

Data analysis

Regulatory compliance

Strategic planning

Underwriting systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Risk Management, Finance, Insurance, or a related field

Tools

Underwriting systems

Job description

At Builders Mutual, we believe in the power of teamwork to get the job done right. Every day our team delivers comprehensive commercial insurance and trusted safety solutions to protect and advance the unique needs of the contractor community. Rooted in teamwork, inclusion, expertise, and community, we work together to serve better, achieve more, and build lasting impact.

The Opportunity

Come leverage your industry expertise and join our growing team in this Underwriting Manager, Builders Risk opportunity. An Underwriting Manager leads underwriting operations for an assigned business segment, portfolio, or team to achieve profitable growth, underwriting quality, operational effectiveness, and strong customer outcomes. This role translates underwriting strategy into consistent execution, oversees portfolio performance and underwriting decisions, develops talent, and manages relationships with agency and distribution partners. The position collaborates across Product Management, Sales, Risk Management, Claims, Actuarial, and Underwriting Operations to support business objectives while maintaining underwriting discipline, regulatory compliance, and service standards.

We are seeking a Underwriting Manager, Builders Risk who ideally resides in the Raleigh, NC area; however, we are also open to qualified candidates who live within our footprint and would work remotely.

• For Raleigh, NC-based candidates: This hybrid role requires working in our Raleigh office at least two days per week, with the flexibility to work from home the remaining three days.

• For remote candidates within our footprint North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi. You will work from your home office and collaborate with your team virtually, traveling to our Raleigh office for meetings and company events up to four times a year.

Your WORK as an Underwriting Manager, Builders Risk will make a difference as you:

• Lead underwriting operations for an assigned business segment, portfolio, or team, establishing priorities aligned with organizational strategy and ensuring consistent execution.
• Drive profitable growth through disciplined risk selection, pricing, retention, portfolio management, and adherence to underwriting guidelines and delegated authority.
• Monitor production, profitability, loss trends, exposure concentrations, service, and quality results; develop and implement action plans to improve performance.
• Review and approve complex, high-value, or exception risks within delegated authority, escalating matters and coordinating additional expertise as appropriate.
• Recruit, lead, coach, and retain a high-performing team by setting clear expectations, managing performance, and supporting technical development, succession, and career growth.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, customer-focused culture that promotes sound judgment, continuous improvement, effective change adoption, and consistent service.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with agencies, brokers, and distribution partners, balancing growth opportunities with underwriting discipline and resolving escalated issues.
• Partner with Product Management and Sales to identify market opportunities, provide portfolio insights, and support product, pricing, coverage, and distribution strategies.
• Collaborate with Risk Management, Claims, Actuarial, Compliance, and Underwriting Operations to address trends, enhance underwriting practices, and support business initiatives and system improvements.
• Use data, analytics, systems, and workflow practices to improve decision quality, efficiency, workload allocation, service, and scalability while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, internal controls, and company policies.

Skills to get the JOB done RIGHT:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Risk Management, Finance, Insurance, or a related field with 5--7 years of commercial lines underwriting experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of commercial insurance coverage, pricing, risk selection, underwriting guidelines, and portfolio management.
• Prior leadership, supervisory, or team lead experience with demonstrated ability to manage performance and develop underwriting talent.
• Proven track record of contributing to profitable growth, retention, underwriting quality, and customer service within an assigned portfolio or business segment.
• Demonstrated experience managing agency, broker, or distribution relationships and resolving complex underwriting or customer issues.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across organizational levels and functions.
• Strong planning, analytical, decision-making, and organizational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and lead through change.
• Proficiency with underwriting and rating systems, data and reporting tools, and standard office technology.

Your Employee Experience at Builders Mutual

At Builders Mutual, we're intentional about creating a workplace where people can do meaningful work, feel supported by leaders who care, and grow their careers with confidence. Great workplaces don't just happen --- they're built with intention. You'll also be part of a team where people show up authentically, support one another, and take pride in what we're building together.

We support you with:

Competitive compensation and a performance bonus program

Comprehensive benefits that support your wellbeing today and your future tomorrow

19 days of PTO to start, plus your birthday off and 11 additional paid holidays

37.5-hour workweek, including Fridays ending at 2:30 PM

Professional development through Builders University

Everyday Wins recognition with swag and extra time off

8 paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) hours to give back

LIFE at Builders Mutual

• Collaboration| You are part of a team working together to reach a common goal.
• Empowerment| You will feel trusted, valued, and given the resources to be successful.
• Flexibility| You will be part of a dynamic work environment designed to allow you to do your best work while also creating the best possible customer experience.
• Impact| You will positively influence our business, customers, and industry.
• Sense of pride | You will tell others how much you enjoy working at Builders Mutual.