What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Production Underwriter position at Berkley?
Company Details
Berkley Luxury Group has been a mainstay in the commercial real estate and hospitality business since 1986. We specialize in luxury condominiums, cooperatives, and apartments in the habitational space, Class A Office buildings and fine dining restaurants in the hospitality space. BLG maintains a standard of prompt and fair settlement of claims, and endeavors to treat insureds and brokers in a partnership-like manner.
BLG has developed a strategic plan to grow their success by expanding their footprint geographically and adding complementary products. At BLG there is a shared vision to be the best option for its customers. We aim to provide comprehensive insurance solutions, use enhanced data and technology to make more informed decisions and rely on a field-based underwriting, claims and loss control model to be closer to our customers and brokers. Our goal is to provide superior services and products to these unique businesses.
At Berkley Luxury Group, our employees are our most important asset. We recognize that if we properly support and develop our employees, they will become our primary sustainable competitive advantage and the key to achieving success. As such, we have created a high performing culture incorporating our values into work practices, policies, and processes to foster, reinforce and sustain an environment where employees share a strong sense of purpose, commitment, and motivation to meet and exceed their goals.
As a Berkley company, we enjoy operational flexibility that allows us to deliver quality coverage solutions. W. R. Berkley Corporation, and all member insurance companies, are rated A (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and carry Standard & Poor’s Financial Rating of A (Strong).
The company is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Responsibilities
The Senior Production Underwriter is a key member of the underwriting team reporting to the Director of Underwriting. The primary goal of this position is to profitably grow a book of business by actively partnering with brokers and working effectively with colleagues throughout the organization. This person will plan and budget for the book of business, develop and maintain agency relationships, and execute underwriting decisions using underwriting rules, designated authority and will have strong knowledge of insurance laws and regulations.
Inforce Portfolio Management and Underwriting Execution:
- Responsible for new and renewal underwriting execution, including selecting risks in line with BLG’s strategy and underwriting guidelines, operating within authority and documentation guidelines, following up on accounts and closing new business.
- Planning and budgeting for the book of business, tracking and reporting performance to plan, and developing a clear view of market conditions and competitive landscape.
- Provides guidance and assistance to other underwriters and to other functional areas.
- Monitors production, hit ratios, renewal retention ratios, spread of risk and other production and quality measures.
- Keeps current on state/territory issues, regulations and trends.
Broker Relationships and Business Development:
- Develop trusted, respected and lasting relationships with agent partners through visitations and regular connections
- Accountable for tracking of progress and positioning BLG within an agency
- Evaluate the performance of assigned agencies on an ongoing basis to ensure company and agency goals are met. Participates in review and evaluation of agencies and makes recommendations on agency management issues. Communicates corporate goals, programs, underwriting policies, procedures, best practices and guidelines to agents.
- Prepares quotes and answers questions from agencies, policyholders or other external contacts and escalates issues as necessary. Negotiates with agents to reach positive and profitable outcomes.
- Deliver exceptional, timely, complete and accurate service
- Work with agents to craft best solutions for their clients
- Notify brokers of adverse underwriting decisions, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status and declinations and underwrite empathetically at all times
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent job-related experience
- Minimum of 5 years underwriting experience
- Demonstrated technical underwriting expertise and product specific knowledge (Property, Liability, Auto, and Umbrella).
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in addition to strong interpersonal, communication & negotiation skills
- Demonstrated proficiency in sales and marketing
- Solid knowledge of underwriting and insurance industry theories and practices.
- Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively interact with all levels of internal and external business partners.
- Ability to multi-task and to independently prioritize competing demands/requests within given time constraints.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and effectively make sound business decisions.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Additional Requirements
We do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies. 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.
