Executive Underwriter, E&S

Our Specialty, Excess & Surplus team is seeking a strategic, sales-minded, and dynamic Executive Underwriter – Merit Specialty Property (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. This role may be hybrid or fully remote for the right professional. This is a full time, exempt role. We encourage all E&S professionals to apply. The actual job title and level may be flexible dependent on candidate qualifications and experience. POSITION OVERVIEW: Merit Specialty, a division of The Hanover Insurance Group, is seeking to add an Excess and Surplus Lines (E&S) Property 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 property 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 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 property appetite and strategy. IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL: Analyze, evaluate, decline, accept, rate, quote and bind new and renewal E&S property 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 property lines of business, as well as competitors and overall marketplace intelligence; advocate for change as needed. 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. Mentor other team members on the team as needed, as well as support and contribute to the development of more junior underwriters. Assure compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements and ensure the integrity of underwriting discipline by identifying underwriting issues Provide input and assist in broader strategy formulation with primary focus on execution of strategies. Assist in the development of new product capabilities, emerging market opportunities, and identifying growth opportunities.  Underwriting Development and Support: Assist managers and underwriters with the most challenging technical underwriting situations. Provide additional support to managers in the areas of portfolio management, underwriting quality, reinsurance referrals and business planning Periodically involved in complex underwriting referrals that fall outside of other UW team members Assist in development and delivery of training.  WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY: 7-10 years of commercial property underwriting experience required. College degree or equivalent work experience. ASLI, CPCU, ARM or other relevant professional designation preferred, but not required. 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. Ability to travel as needed.