Chief Underwriting Officer

We are a global insurance provider offering property, casualty and professional insurance coverage for clients with technology exposure and technology firms worldwide.

The Chief Underwriting Officer provides strategic direction and leadership for the Underwriting functions at BTU. This executive leader will oversee underwriting profitability and leading/developing the underwriting department for success. This includes executive level business planning, developing team members, forecasting, industry risk selection, and guidance in insurance industry affairs in all states.

• Provide high-level leadership, expertise and guidance in underwriting and insurance matters.
• Participate in the overall leadership and management of the Company as a member of the Senior Executive Team, including strategic, operational, and budget planning.
• Responsible for overall leadership and management of the underwriting staff in accordance with the Company’s policies and all applicable laws and regulations.
• Daily management of the underwriting department to ensure the effective solicitation, selection, pricing, and retention of profitable business.
• Implement underwriting strategies to meet market needs, including new underwriting programs, procedures, and products.
• Assign underwriting authority to staff and establish and maintain controls to monitor their ability to accept risks, determine pricing and coverages, and place reinsurance.
• Establish and maintain underwriting audit processes and controls to verify compliance with underwriting authorities, established guidelines, standards, and procedures.
• Oversee underwriting of difficult, complex accounts and resolve issues beyond the authority of underwriting staff.
• Collaborate with other departments regarding regulatory issues, accounting, processing, marketing, or other company issues.
• Lead the assessment and implementation of ongoing process improvements in the underwriting department as technologies and business models evolve.
• Develop and manage relationships with sister companies, W. R. Berkley, reinsurers, and vendors.
• Identify employees for promotional opportunities and create development plans to prepare them for their next step within the organization.
• Resolve performance issues consistent with company policy. Ensure compliance with company policies by all staff members.

May perform other functions as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

• Minimum of 15 years equivalent experience in a commercial P&C underwriting
• Minimum of 10 years managing and leading teams.
• Experience with underwriting large accounts and portfolio (small business) underwriting.
• Proven ability to learn workflow tasks and corresponding systems quickly.
• Intermediate/Advanced knowledge of the underwriting process and of commercial property and casualty lines of business and common forms/endorsements preferred.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• Detail oriented with good follow-through skills.
• Project management experience and skills required.
• Must be dependable and professional, self-starter.
• Proven energetic team player contributing to a high-performance learning organization with a strong culture.