Excess & Surplus - Senior Underwriting Specialist (Hybrid)

Our Specialty, Excess & Surplus team is seeking a strategic, sales-minded, and dynamic Senior Underwriting Specialist – Merit Specialty (Wholesale) to join our established and high-performing team.  This role will ideally be based in either Richmond, VA or Phoenix, AZ.  The ideal candidate must have the ability to travel for meetings and client visits as needed.  Other locations will be considered, but candidates must have the ability to travel to a Hanover office as needed.   The Hanover is a diverse and inclusive organization focused on hiring the best talent and we encourage all qualified professionals to apply.  We believe that an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace make us a better organization and creates a stronger community.   At the Hanover we also understand that life and the workplace have changed so we are reimagining the workplace and provide flexible work arrangements.  This role may be hybrid or fully remote for the right professional.   The actual job title and level may be flexible dependent on candidate qualifications and experience (UW Specialist or Executive UW).   POSITION OVERVIEW: Merit Specialty, a division of The Hanover Insurance Group, is seeking to add an Excess and Surplus Lines (E&S) Casualty Underwriter to its growing Team.  Merit Specialty transacts business with appointed wholesale trading partners and the position will be responsible for reviewing new and renewal mono-line commercial general liability and supported excess liability risks to determine acceptability for quoting and binding business within the underwriting authority granted by the Company.  This position is a market facing role with frequent interaction with appointed wholesale trading partners.  This position requires strong communication, negotiation, relationship development and analytical skills to transact business within the fast-paced wholesale E&S environment.  We are seeking an experienced E&S professional with a high technical acumen and a strong casualty underwriting skill set.   This position works in a team environment and will collaborate to underwrite and service accounts for assigned wholesale trading partners.  Business development activities include identifying key wholesale firms/brokers, executing on sales and marketing activities that demonstrate and support a strong customer focus that ultimately reinforces Merit Specialty’s E&S casualty appetite and strategy.   This is a full-time, exempt role.   IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL: Analyze, evaluate, decline, accept, rate, quote and bind new and renewal E&S casualty business according to underwriting authority granted by the Company. Review mid-term endorsement requests and loss control reports. Drive production and marketing activities to achieve individual goals while maintaining underwriting integrity and overall profitability. Develop and maintain professional relationships with appointed wholesale trading partner firms and brokers to generate a strong flow of quality new business opportunities, as well as execute on portfolio management objectives to manage the overall quality of the book of business handled. Exhibit thorough working knowledge of sound underwriting principles, policies, procedures, and controls. Keep current on issues affecting the casualty lines of business, as well as competitors and the overall marketplace. Coach and mentor other team members on the team as needed, as well as support and contribute to the development of more junior underwriters. Provide a high level of customer service by timely response to wholesale broker requests and deadlines. Create, drive, and execute on strategies for new and/or renewal accounts (prospective book management, executing on the territorial and wholesale trading partner plans, etc.). Ability to sell the Merit Specialty value proposition to wholesale trading partners. Further the Merit Specialty brand by attending and representing Merit Specialty at Industry sponsored events and/or conferences.   WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY: A minimum of 5 years, but ideally more than 7 years, of commercial E&S casualty insurance experience required. Excellent organizational and desk management skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Must be positive, self-motivated, and possess strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Possess strong technical, analytical, and quantitative skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Solution oriented team player with a strong relationship management skill set working with both internal and external stakeholders and customers. Must be customer focused. Proficient in Microsoft Office products to include Word, Excel, and Outlook. Strong organization and prioritization skills. ASLI, CPCU, ARM or other relevant professional designation preferred, but not required. College degree required. Some travel will be required.