Sr. Excess Underwriter

Company Details

 

At Verus Specialty Insurance, a proud member of the esteemed W.R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB), we stand as a leading Excess and Surplus Lines provider delivering comprehensive solutions across the United States. Backed by the formidable strength of a Fortune 500 titan and operating with the agility of a nimble startup, we blend the best of both worlds to foster innovation and excellence in everything we do.

 

Our nationwide operations are supported by a robust network of select wholesale producers, ensuring that our reach and capabilities are always close at hand. We are driven by a forward-thinking leadership that champions a dynamic culture where questioning the norm is not just welcomed but expected. This ethos empowers our team to consistently surpass customer expectations and drive the industry forward.

 

At Verus, we are more than just a company; we are a community that thrives on collaboration, growth, and taking ownership of our actions. We are constantly on the lookout for exceptional talent who are eager to contribute, innovate, and grow with us. If you are passionate about making a mark in the insurance industry and align with our vision, we eagerly await your application. Join us and be a part of a team where your contributions are valued, and your potential fully realized!

 

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

 

https://www.verusins.com/

Responsibilities

As a Senior Excess Casualty Underwriter at Verus, you will independently manage a diverse portfolio of complex and high-hazard casualty accounts. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you will evaluate, select, and price risks in accordance with company guidelines and risk appetite. This role requires deep expertise in the excess and surplus (E&S) lines market, a strategic mindset, and the ability to build and maintain strong broker relationships. Your underwriting insight and market acumen will play a critical role in driving profitable growth and supporting Verus’s long-term success.

 

• Complex Risk Evaluation: Independently underwrite and manage a portfolio of complex and high-hazard excess casualty accounts, including general liability, product liability, and other specialty lines. This includes both lead and excess layers.
• Layering Strategy & Attachment Point Expertise: Demonstrated ability to assess appropriate attachment points and layering strategies based on underlying coverage, exposure analysis, and market conditions.
• Underwriting Authority: Exercise sound judgment in making autonomous decisions on risk acceptance, coverage terms, and pricing within your delegated authority, ensuring alignment with company guidelines and risk appetite.
• Risk Selection & Pricing: Apply a deep understanding of risk selection criteria and pricing strategies to ensure underwriting decisions are both competitive and profitable. Continuously assess risk exposures, loss history, and market conditions to optimize outcomes.
• Catastrophic Exposure Awareness: Ability to evaluate catastrophic and emerging exposures, including social inflation, nuclear verdicts, and systemic risk trends.
• Technical Expertise: Leverage advanced technical knowledge of casualty lines, coverage structures, and rating methodologies to evaluate and structure complex deals effectively.
• Production & Performance Metrics: Consistently meet or exceed established production goals and profitability targets for your assigned line of business. Maintain a balanced portfolio that aligns with strategic objectives and risk tolerance.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and competitor activity to inform underwriting strategy and maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace.
• Team Leadership & Referral Oversight: Provide expert guidance on underwriting referrals from junior team members, ensuring consistency, quality, and adherence to underwriting standards.
• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Actively mentor junior underwriters, contributing to their professional development and supporting a culture of continuous learning and collaboration within the team.
• Broker Relationship Management: Build, manage, and strengthen strategic relationships with wholesale brokers to ensure a consistent pipeline of quality business. Lead impactful broker meetings to reinforce partnerships, address performance concerns, and identify new business opportunities.
• Broker Performance Oversight: Proactively monitor broker performance, ensuring alignment with company standards and underwriting objectives. Take corrective action when necessary to maintain a high-performing broker network.
• Customer Service Excellence: Deliver a high standard of service to brokers and insureds by ensuring timely, transparent, and professional communication throughout the underwriting process. Serve as a trusted advisor and resource to external partners.
• Strategic Initiatives: Partner with senior leadership to identify and develop new product offerings, underwriting strategies, and market expansion opportunities that align with Verus’s long-term growth objectives.
• Regulatory & Policy Compliance: Ensure all underwriting activities are conducted in full compliance with internal guidelines, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. Maintain accurate documentation and support audit readiness.
• Cross-Functional Support: Collaborate across departments—including actuarial, claims, legal, and operations—to support enterprise-wide initiatives and ensure alignment with underwriting goals.
• Additional Responsibilities: Take on special projects and perform other duties as assigned, contributing to the overall success and agility of the underwriting team and the broader organization.

Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant industry experience, with a strong focus on excess and surplus lines and complex casualty risk underwriting.
• Proven expertise in underwriting excess liability, including general liability, auto liability, and umbrella/excess layers.
• Demonstrated success in managing a profitable book of business in a fast-paced, high-autonomy environment.

Education & Professional Development:

• Bachelor’s degree in Insurance, Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field is required.
• Designations such as CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter), ARM (Associate in Risk Management), or similar are highly preferred and reflect a strong commitment to continued professional development and industry expertise.

Technical & Analytical Skills:

• Strong technical knowledge of casualty underwriting principles, coverage structures, and rating methodologies.
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to assess complex risks and make sound, data-driven decisions.
• Proficiency in underwriting tools, rating models, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Communication & Relationship Management:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate underwriting decisions and negotiate effectively with brokers and agents.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with brokers, insureds, and internal stakeholders.

Professional Attributes

• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Adaptable and self-motivated, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic, results-driven environment.

Travel Requirements

• Willingness to travel as needed, including air travel.
• Minimum of 7 in-person broker visits per year expected to support relationship development and business growth.

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Additional Company Details

We do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting firms. The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees. The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.

Sponsorship Details

Sponsorship not Offered for this Role