Underwriting Assistant Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Underwriting serves as the executive leader responsible for defining and executing the underwriting strategy across the organization’s E&S commercial lines platform. This individual owns full accountability for underwriting vision, profitable growth, and disciplined risk management across a specialty product portfolio. The SVP partners closely with the Executive Management Team and carrier partners to drive product innovation, strengthen distribution relationships, and scale their business unit P&L sustainably. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring both strategic vision and a deep, hands-on command of the surplus lines marketplace.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Define and deliver the strategic roadmap for E&S underwriting, product development, and program expansion across the specialty lines portfolio.
• Serve as the executive leader accountable for underwriting vision, profitability, and growth strategy within a specialty lines of business.
• Partner executive team to grow the business, optimize performance, and build scalable processes that support long-term success.
• Identify and lead initiatives to expand into new E&S markets, specialty lines, niche programs, or product opportunities aligned with carrier appetite and market demand.
• Represent the underwriting function to executive leadership, regulators, reinsurers, and industry partners.

Underwriting Oversight & Excellence

• Establish companywide underwriting policies, appetite, and risk tolerance.
• Ensure underwriting profitability through strong management of loss ratios, retention, and rate adequacy.
• Implement KPIs and dashboards to monitor performance, financial results, risk exposure, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee regulatory compliance and ensure adherence to all legal, financial, and operational standards.
• Champion consistency, rigor, and data-informed decision-making across all underwriting functions.

Talent, Management & Culture

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing underwriting team across multiple programs.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and compliance.
• Drive talent development, succession planning, and leadership continuity.
• Serve as a visible, values-based leader who models professional excellence and operational discipline.

Financial Performance & Analytics

• Contribute to annual budget planning and P&L management, ensuring alignment with corporate financial goals.
• Use analytics and data-driven insights to evaluate underwriting performance, identify trends, and inform pricing and portfolio strategy.
• Drive initiatives to enhance expense efficiency, pricing accuracy, and operational productivity.

Qualifications & Experience

• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in underwriting, risk management, or insurance operations within an E&S, surplus lines, MGA, or program-driven environment.
• 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. Demonstrated ability to lead that line as a standalone product with full ownership of underwriting strategy, appetite, and performance.
• Proven track record of driving profitable growth through new product launches, market expansion, or improved performance metrics.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, with proficiency in data-driven decision-making.
• Experience with operational scaling, technology adoption, or insurance innovation a strong plus.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute tactically when needed.
• High integrity and sound judgment with a strong sense of risk awareness.
• Resilient, adaptable, and effective in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Collaborative leader who builds trust and alignment across teams.
• Results-oriented, metrics-driven, and committed to continuous improvement.