Manager, Underwriting

Company Details

 

2025 Business Insurance Best Places to Work winner, Berkley Southwest offers commercial property and casualty products and services through independent agents in Arizona, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. We maintain a strong local presence in each of our markets, keeping underwriting and support close to the customer. 

 

Now more than ever, financial strength is critical to a successful, long term insurance relationship. Berkley Southwest 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.  #LI-LD1 #LI-HYBRID

 

The company is an equal opportunity employer.

Responsibilities

As a Manager, Underwriting, you'll lead and develop a team of underwriters while driving profitable growth, underwriting excellence, and strong agency partnerships across your assigned territory. You'll provide hands-on leadership, coaching, and operational oversight to ensure the team delivers exceptional underwriting quality, service, and business results.

 

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with underwriting leadership, agency partners, and cross-functional teams to optimize performance, support team development, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Your leadership will play a key role in fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and professional growth while contributing to the company's long-term success and reputation in the marketplace.

 

Why You'll Enjoy This Opportunity

• A culture of innovation, teamwork, supportive colleagues, and leaders willing to invest in talent
• Internal mobility opportunities
• Visibility to senior leaders and partnership with cross-functional teams
• The opportunity to influence change and drive meaningful business results
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including paid time off, wellness programs, employer-funded HSA, profit sharing, 401(k), paid parental leave, employee stock purchase plan, tuition assistance, and professional continuing education

How You'll Make an Impact

• Lead and develop a team of underwriters, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous growth.
• Drive profitable portfolio performance by balancing underwriting excellence, production goals, and agency relationships.
• Build and strengthen agency partnerships to support business growth and exceptional customer service.
• Coach, mentor, and develop underwriting talent through onboarding, training, and ongoing professional development.
• Use performance data and underwriting results to identify trends, improve processes, and drive better business outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements while delivering high-quality underwriting decisions.

Qualifications

What You'll Bring

• Minimum 1 year of leadership experience required; experience leading, coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams preferred.
• 7+ years of Commercial Lines underwriting experience with strong technical underwriting expertise.
• Leadership, coaching, or mentoring experience with a passion for developing others.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships and drive profitable business results.
• Strong analytical, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to analyze information and resolve complex underwriting challenges.
• Strong relationship-building skills and a collaborative approach to working with team members, agents, customers, and business partners.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and underwriting systems.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry best practices related to Commercial Lines underwriting.
• Commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and leadership excellence.

Additional Company Details

We do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies or 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

Responsibilities

As a Manager, Underwriting, you'll lead and develop a team of underwriters while driving profitable growth, underwriting excellence, and strong agency partnerships across your assigned territory. You'll provide hands-on leadership, coaching, and operational oversight to ensure the team delivers exceptional underwriting quality, service, and business results.
 
In this role, you'll collaborate closely with underwriting leadership, agency partners, and cross-functional teams to optimize performance, support team development, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Your leadership will play a key role in fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and professional growth while contributing to the company's long-term success and reputation in the marketplace.
 
Why You'll Enjoy This Opportunity
- A culture of innovation, teamwork, supportive colleagues, and leaders willing to invest in talent
- Internal mobility opportunities
- Visibility to senior leaders and partnership with cross-functional teams
- The opportunity to influence change and drive meaningful business results
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including paid time off, wellness programs, employer-funded HSA, profit sharing, 401(k), paid parental leave, employee stock purchase plan, tuition assistance, and professional continuing education
How You'll Make an Impact
- Lead and develop a team of underwriters, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous growth.
- Drive profitable portfolio performance by balancing underwriting excellence, production goals, and agency relationships.
- Build and strengthen agency partnerships to support business growth and exceptional customer service.
- Coach, mentor, and develop underwriting talent through onboarding, training, and ongoing professional development.
- Use performance data and underwriting results to identify trends, improve processes, and drive better business outcomes.
- Ensure compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements while delivering high-quality underwriting decisions.