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.
Requirements
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.
Salary Description
$150,000 to $250,000 commensurate with experience