VP, Chief Underwriting Officer

Berkley Southeast Insurance Group (BSIG) is a member company of W. R. Berkley Corporation, a Fortune 500 Company, whose insurance company subsidiaries are rated A+(Superior) by A. M. Best Company. BSIG provides local underwriting, risk services, claim, marketing and audit services for agents and policyholders in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. We take a broad approach to underwriting for ‘best in class’ businesses, primarily in: construction, light manufacturing, wholesale, distribution and business service industries.

This role will be based in our Lawrenceville, GA office.  We offer a hybrid work schedule with 4 days in the office; and 1 day remote where it makes sense to do so.

The company is an equal opportunity employer.   

The Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) will be a direct report of the President and a key member of the Berkley Southeast executive leadership team. The CUO is responsible for the strategic planning and overall management of the underwriting discipline to ensure profitable growth. In collaboration with other departments, this role will be responsible for developing and executing Berkley Southeast’s underwriting strategy, with the goal of maximizing shareholder value and risk-adjusted returns. 

Additionally, the CUO is responsible for the management of the Policy Services Operation unit and for strategic oversight to our Risk Control Services operation.

We'll count on you to:

• Oversee the development and management of all aspects of underwriting strategy, aligning with the overall BSIG strategic plan, and translating the strategy into clear underwriting guidelines and limits of authority.
• Establish underwriting authority levels and referral processes that both streamline decision-making and ensure underwriting excellence.
• Develop pricing and underwriting strategies to attain and improve profitable growth.
• Develop an efficient set of processes that deliver creative, customized underwriting and risk management solutions while meeting the expectations of our partners.
• Set strategic process for identifying, evaluating and managing emerging risks.
• Develop and manage both internal and external relationships in a way that strengthens trust in the business partnership.
• Manage the portfolio to reflect an appropriate balance between segments and diversification of line of business.
• Devise strategies and protocols to grow profitably during all market cycles.
• Establish policies and direct the analysis of information to support the development of products, services, and/or new programs (i.e., research and identify target businesses, competitor information, analyze industry and economic factors, etc.)
• Lead, direct, and has management accountability for corporate underwriting team with emphasis on building organizational capability, talent management, and promoting a culture of superior portfolio management and product underwriting.
• Assist in the maintenance of forms and rate filings for specific segments of business.
• Development, implementation, and maintenance of authority statements. Drafting of authority for other department managers and any relevant relationships.
• Lead for internal underwriting audit.
• Responsible for underwriting document filings, accuracy of data entries to systems and contract integrity for accounts underwritten.
• Strategic oversight of the Risk Control Department.
• Provides management to the Policy Services Operations unit.
• Meet as needed with the Senior Leadership Team and President to analyze, recommend, and report on the progress of objectives.
• Provide the leadership mentoring and guidance necessary to build and sustain a high performing workforce.
• Anticipate and plan for the future, with the capacity to collaborate with other senior management team members in a way that fosters innovation.

What you need to have:

• Minimum of 10 years underwriting experience including liability, property, workers compensation and automobile.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic and tactical leadership to a team of talented professionals.
• Agile and decisive; can work with an ambiguous, fast-moving environment while also leading to clarity and solutions; adapts quickly and effectively to change.
• Effective communicator for presentations, accustomed to addressing agents, vendors, and partners.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of time as necessary.

What makes you stand out:  

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred
• Demonstrated organizational skills, working with integrity and great strategic foresight - challenging norms while working collaboratively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
• Strong interpersonal relationship and communication skills, as well as a desire to collaborate, build rapport, add value and effectively problem-solve with their direct support teams and the teams of the company.
• Track record for finding innovative ways to bring teams together to problem-solve for greatest efficiency and effectiveness.