Verus Specialty Insurance (a Berkley Company) · 5 months ago
Senior Excess Casualty Underwriter
Scottsdale, AZ
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expVerus Specialty Insurance, a member of W.R. Berkley Corporation, is a leading Excess and Surplus Lines provider in the United States. The Senior Excess Casualty Underwriter will independently manage a diverse portfolio of complex casualty accounts, evaluate risks, and build broker relationships to drive profitable growth.
ConsultingFinancial ServicesInsurance
No H1B
Responsibilities
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
Demonstrated ability to assess appropriate attachment points and layering strategies based on underlying coverage, exposure analysis, and market conditions
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
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
Ability to evaluate catastrophic and emerging exposures, including social inflation, nuclear verdicts, and systemic risk trends
Leverage advanced technical knowledge of casualty lines, coverage structures, and rating methodologies to evaluate and structure complex deals effectively
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
Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and competitor activity to inform underwriting strategy and maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace
Provide expert guidance on underwriting referrals from junior team members, ensuring consistency, quality, and adherence to underwriting standards
Actively mentor junior underwriters, contributing to their professional development and supporting a culture of continuous learning and collaboration within the team
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
Proactively monitor broker performance, ensuring alignment with company standards and underwriting objectives. Take corrective action when necessary to maintain a high-performing broker network
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
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
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
Collaborate across departments—including actuarial, claims, legal, and operations—to support enterprise-wide initiatives and ensure alignment with underwriting goals
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
Qualification
Required
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
Bachelor's degree in Insurance, Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field is required
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)
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
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
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
Preferred
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
Benefits
Competitive compensation plan
Robust benefits package for full time regular employees
Company
Verus Specialty Insurance (a Berkley Company)
Verus Specialty Insurance is an underwriting management company targeting small to midsize commercial risks in the E&S and Specialty insurance markets through appointed wholesale brokers and agents.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Joni Holland
SVP, Operations & Chief Operating Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase