Portfolio Management Associate Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Underwriter is a technically strong, production-oriented underwriting professional responsible for managing and growing a profitable book of E&S commercial lines business. Working as the number-two to the SVP of Underwriting, this individual brings deep product expertise, sharp risk judgment, and an established broker network to drive results across one or more specialty lines.

This role is both hands-on and strategic, evaluating individual risks with precision while contributing meaningfully to product, process, and team development. The ideal candidate is a self-directed underwriter who thrives in a specialty program environment and is energized by complexity, autonomy, and growth.

Key Responsibilities

Underwriting & Portfolio Management

• Evaluate, price, and bind new and renewal E&S commercial lines submissions within delegated underwriting authority, ensuring alignment with program guidelines and carrier appetite.
• Manage an assigned book across one or more specialty lines, proactively monitoring loss trends, retention, and profitability metrics.
• Apply sound coverage analysis and risk selection discipline with experience in at least one of the follow E&S product areas: E&S Casualty (small to mid-market), Professional Liability (E&O), Management Liability (D&O, EPLI), Cyber (niche programs), Construction & Contracting Specialty, Environmental Liability, and/or Medical Professional and Commercial Liability.
• Recommend appropriate coverage structures, pricing, terms, and conditions to support sustainable growth and disciplined risk selection.
• Partner with actuarial, claims, and operations teams to inform portfolio strategy and maintain underwriting discipline.

Broker & Client Relationships

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with wholesale brokers, retail agents, and program distribution partners to drive new business and retention.
• Communicate clearly and responsively on underwriting appetite, submission requirements, coverage terms, and program parameters.
• Represent the company as a knowledgeable E&S market presence through meetings, industry events, and ongoing broker engagement.
• Collaborate with brokers to structure creative, compliant solutions that balance the insured’s needs with program objectives and carrier expectations.

Program & Product Development

• Provide field-level insight on underwriting guidelines, pricing models, and program design based on market conditions and submission flow.
• Identify opportunities for new coverages, endorsements, or product refinements that improve competitiveness and align with evolving carrier appetite.
• Partner with analytics and operations to improve underwriting workflows, data quality, and system efficiency.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Serve as a senior technical resource and day-to-day leader for junior underwriters, associates, and support staff.
• Support the SVP in executing underwriting strategy, managing team performance, and maintaining consistency in risk selection and documentation standards.
• Model our core values of accountability, curiosity, collaboration, and care in daily work and interactions.
• Foster a team culture that emphasizes underwriting precision, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required.
• 7–10 years of commercial lines underwriting experience with an MGA, surplus lines carrier, or program administrator.
• Deep expertise in at least one E&S specialty line, including but not limited to, E&S Casualty, Professional Liability (E&O), Management Liability (D&O / EPLI), Cyber, Construction & Contracting Specialty, Environmental Liability, or Medical Professional and Commercial Liability, with the ability to manage and grow that line as a standalone book of business.
• Proven track record of disciplined underwriting, profitable book management, and broker relationship development.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret loss data, exposure trends, and portfolio metrics to inform underwriting decisions.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills with wholesale and retail distribution channels.
• Comfortable operating with autonomy in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment that values accountability and continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in underwriting systems, rating platforms, and the Microsoft Office suite.

Personal Attributes

• Technically sharp with a genuine passion for specialty insurance and complex risk.
• Confident decision-maker with sound risk judgment, high integrity, and a strong sense of ownership.
• Relationship-oriented and collaborative. Naturally builds trust with brokers, carriers, and internal teammates.
• Curious, proactive, and continuously seeking to grow both personally and as a contributor to a dynamic team.