SVP, Underwriting – E&S Property

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Take charge of the underwriting outcomes, growth, and profitability of the E&S Property portfolio, focusing on premium, loss ratio, and expense objectives.

• Formulate and implement a multi-year strategy that encompasses product offerings, geographical reach, business classification, and wholesale distribution.

• Maintain a balanced portfolio mix, including primary & ground-up, excess, layered, and shared structures.

• Supervise rate adequacy, terms and conditions, and attachment points in alignment with market fluctuations.

• Define underwriting guidelines, authority levels, and referral processes.

• Manage pricing, risk selection, and exposure oversight, particularly in CAT-exposed areas.

• Determine line size and participation approach for layered and shared programs.

• Assess excess and layered exposures.

• Collaborate with actuarial, catastrophe modeling, and reinsurance teams to oversee aggregates, PMLs, and capital utilization.

• Review and authorize large or complex accounts while maintaining an active technical involvement.

• Cultivate and sustain relationships with wholesale brokers and retail partners.

• Represent the organization at industry functions and with key trading partners.

• Discover new wholesale distribution opportunities and strategic partnerships.

• Work alongside Ceded Reinsurance on treaty frameworks, renewals, and reinsurer relationships.

• Recruit, develop, and retain underwriters, underwriting assistants, and leaders.

• Promote accountability, teamwork, and continuous enhancement.

• Collaborate with Claims, Operations, Technology, Compliance, and Finance to optimize workflow, data integrity, and turnaround times.

• Ensure adherence to surplus lines regulations, filing mandates, and internal controls.

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Marine and Property on divisional strategy, capital distribution, and cross-line portfolio management.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 15 years of experience in commercial property underwriting.

• More than 8 years in E&S/wholesale is highly preferred.

• Proven experience in underwriting primary & ground-up, excess, layered, and shared property business.

• At least 5 years in a senior leadership position overseeing underwriting teams and managing a P&L.

• Extensive knowledge of property coverages, CAT exposures, modeling tools (such as RMS, AIR/Verisk), and valuation methods.

• Strong comprehension of reinsurance frameworks (quota share, per-risk, CAT XOL) and their effects on portfolio management.

• Demonstrated history of profitable growth and robust relationships with wholesale brokers.

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, risk management, or a similar field.

• Preferred designations include CPCU, ARM, or other professional certifications.

• Experience in launching new products or creating underwriting platforms.

• Familiarity with analytics-focused underwriting and portfolio management tools.

• An MBA or advanced degree is advantageous.

• Strategic mindset with strong financial insight.

• Excellent judgment in uncertain situations.

• Strong executive presence and the ability to influence brokers, board members, and reinsurers.

• Skills in talent development and team leadership.

• Clear and decisive communication abilities.

• Proven ability to work independently and drive progress.

• Must adhere to surplus lines regulations, filing requirements, and internal controls.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive medical benefits package.

• Long-term financial incentives – STOCK!

• 401k plan with 3.5% automatic fully vested employer contributions.

• Competitive PTO and holiday program.

• Lifestyle spending allowance.

• Support for professional development.

• Opportunities for career exploration.

• Regular company-wide social events (including virtual options!).

• Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.

• Potential for annual long-term incentive stock grants.