VP, Underwriting Manager, Special Risk

Crum & Forster; United States; On-site; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Crum & Forster, a leading insurer, seeks a VP, Underwriting Manager within the Accident & Health Special Risk team. You will shape profitability, select and manage complex risks, and guide underwriting strategy across niche markets.

You’ll oversee reinsurance discussions and mentor teams across MGUs and TPAs. You will drive technical excellence, partner with senior leadership on strategic planning, and ensure effective risk management and growth for multi-year portfolios.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in underwriting teams and programs.
• Ability to evaluate complex risks and make autonomous decisions.
• Experience aligning underwriting strategy with business goals.

Responsibilities

• Drive profitability, retention, and written premium goals for the department.
• Make independent decisions within underwriting authority and maintain file documentation.
• Assist in developing annual business goals for agents/producers.
• Analyze results and ensure accountability of agency partners.

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting

Negotiation

Strategic planning

Portfolio management

Mentoring

Financial analysis

Team collaboration

Job description

Crum & Forster Company Overview

Crum & Forster (C&F) provides market leading property & casualty, accident & health, specialty and standard commercial lines insurance solutions. A true underwriting company, we have a 200-year history of helping our customers manage risk with laser-focused expertise, integrity and discipline. Our people are empowered to make decisions and problem-solve with you smartly and swiftly. Our annual gross written premium is 6.2 billion. C&F enjoys a financial strength rating of "A+" (Superior) by AM Best.

Our most valuable asset is our people. We have 3000 employees, and locations throughout the United States and India. With our employee-first focus, the Company is consistently recognized as a great place to work, earning multiple workplace and wellness awards, including the Great Place to Work® Award, Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, Fortune Best Workplaces for Parents, Fortune Best Workplaces for Millennials, and many others.

C&F is part of Fairfax Financial Holdings. For more information about C&F, please visit our website: www.cfins.com

Job Description

Since 2000, Crum & Forster's Accident & Health division (A&H) has offered a diverse portfolio of specialty insurance and reinsurance products nationwide. We place a strong focus on product development and creative distribution methods, along with excellent client service and support.

In addition to our robust domestic portfolio, which spans both special risk and medical solutions, A&H works on an international basis through various partnerships. Our global capabilities provide our partners with even broader flexibility in underwriting solutions.

The qualities and capabilities of Crum & Forster Accident & Health demonstrate our philosophy of building meaningful, long-term partnerships and our dedication to providing alternative strategies in an ever-changing insurance market.

The A&H SBU takes a forward-thinking, flexible approach to solutions that span a robust slate of products tailored to needs in Special Risk, International Travel Medical, retail and wholesale Travel, Occupational & Alternative Risk, and Pet insurance. At year-end 2025, the SBU recorded $1.4B in gross premium written.

About the Role, Line of Business, and Team

This senior-level position is part of the Accident & Health (A&H) Specialty Business Unit (SBU), specifically within the Special Risk team-a group focused on delivering tailored insurance solutions to a broad range of niche markets. The A&H Special Risk team manages a diverse and evolving portfolio of programs through partnerships with Managing General Underwriters (MGUs), Third Party Administrators (TPAs), and other key producers.

As VP, Underwriting Manager, you will play a critical leadership role in shaping the profitability, direction, and multiyear growth goals of the book. With a high degree of autonomy, you will be responsible for the strategic evaluation, selection, and management of complex risks, while serving as a key decision-maker on underwriting and program structure. You will lead high-level negotiations, provide oversight on reinsurance placements with Crum & Forster for other carriers, and offer guidance on technical underwriting matters across multiple specialty lines.

In addition to cultivating strong relationships with MGUs, producers, and internal stakeholders, you will help drive operational efficiency and innovation across the business. You will lead the onboarding of new MGA and TPA partners across multiple business segments and serve as a mentor/technical resource to team members. This role requires a forward-thinking, solution-oriented leader with deep market knowledge, proven underwriting acumen, and the ability to influence strategy and outcomes at both the account and portfolio levels.

What you will do

• Drive profitability, retention, and written premium goals for the department
• Make independent decisions within underwriting letter of authority and maintain proper file documentation
• Assist in developing annual business goals for assigned agents/producers
• Responsible for analyzing results and maintaining accountability of agency partners within the department
• Lead a high-performing and technically strong UW team through clear communication, delegation, mentoring, and ongoing professional growth and development. Continue to develop their sales orientation, negotiation, and refine effectiveness when representing C&F and managing risk.
• Drive business results and team results through accountability
• Remain current with market trends, competitive landscape, and identify emerging threats and opportunities to the department
• Has an in-depth knowledge of department products and services
• Clearly articulate the department's value proposition
• Collaborate with Senior Leadership in the development of strategic planning
• Perform Underwriting Audits, and evaluate portfolio performance based upon profitability metrics, overseeing execution to ensure alignment with