What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Commercial Lines Underwriter position at Berkley Southwest (a Berkley Company)?
Company Details
2025 Business Insurance Best Places to Work winner, Berkley Southwest offers commercial property and casualty products and services through independent agents in Arizona, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. We maintain a strong local presence in each of our markets, keeping underwriting and support close to the customer.
Now more than ever, financial strength is critical to a successful, long term insurance relationship. Berkley Southwest is a member company of W. R. Berkley Corporation , a Fortune 500 company, whose insurance company subsidiaries are rated A (Superior) by A.M. Best.
This position will be based in our Irving, TX office.
We offer a hybrid work schedule with 4 days in the office; and 1 day remote where it makes sense to do so .
The company is an equal opportunity employer.
Responsibilities
The Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter plays a critical role in evaluating and managing risk across a diverse portfolio of property and casualty accounts. This position is responsible for underwriting new and renewal business in accordance with company guidelines, delegated authority, and reinsurance parameters.
The underwriter serves as a strategic partner to agency stakeholders, driving profitable growth through disciplined underwriting, market insight, and collaborative engagement. In addition to core underwriting duties, the role contributes to product development, supports staff training, and participates in cross-functional initiatives that enhance underwriting performance and operational efficiency.
What You Can Expect
What you need to have:
We do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies or firms.
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.
Sponsorship Details
Sponsorship not Offered for this Role
2025 Business Insurance Best Places to Work winner, Berkley Southwest offers commercial property and casualty products and services through independent agents in Arizona, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. We maintain a strong local presence in each of our markets, keeping underwriting and support close to the customer.
Now more than ever, financial strength is critical to a successful, long term insurance relationship. Berkley Southwest is a member company of W. R. Berkley Corporation , a Fortune 500 company, whose insurance company subsidiaries are rated A (Superior) by A.M. Best.
This position will be based in our Irving, TX office.
We offer a hybrid work schedule with 4 days in the office; and 1 day remote where it makes sense to do so .
The company is an equal opportunity employer.
Responsibilities
The Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter plays a critical role in evaluating and managing risk across a diverse portfolio of property and casualty accounts. This position is responsible for underwriting new and renewal business in accordance with company guidelines, delegated authority, and reinsurance parameters.
The underwriter serves as a strategic partner to agency stakeholders, driving profitable growth through disciplined underwriting, market insight, and collaborative engagement. In addition to core underwriting duties, the role contributes to product development, supports staff training, and participates in cross-functional initiatives that enhance underwriting performance and operational efficiency.
What You Can Expect
- Culture of innovation, teamwork, supportive colleagues, and leaders willing to invest in talent.
- Internal mobility opportunities.
- Visibility to senior leaders and partnership with cross functional teams.
- Opportunity to impact change.
- Benefits – competitive compensation, paid time off, comprehensive wellness benefits and programs, employer funded health savings account, profit sharing, 401k, paid parental leave, employee stock purchase plan, tuition assistance and professional continuing education.
- Underwrite new business by evaluating applications, requesting supplemental information, and accepting or rejecting risks in accordance with company guidelines and reinsurance treaties.
- Underwrite renewal business by analyzing prior underwriting files, agency performance, loss history, risk control reports, motor vehicle records, and prior carrier experience.
- Maintain underwriting authority as delegated by underwriting leadership and ensure compliance with internal policies and treaty constraints.
- Collaborate with underwriting leadership to develop and refine products, pricing strategies, and coverage enhancements.
- Build and sustain productive, profitable relationships with agents and brokers to support business growth.
- Monitor and manage assigned book of business to maintain target loss ratios and underwriting profitability.
- Meet established production goals while delivering timely and responsive service to agency partners.
- Evaluate the performance of assigned agencies on an ongoing basis to ensure company and agency goals and objectives are met. Participate in review and evaluation of agencies and make recommendations on agency management issues.
- Travel within assigned territory to conduct agency visits, prospect meetings, and market assessments.
- Participate in continuing education through industry and company-sponsored programs to maintain technical proficiency.
- Assist in onboarding and training of junior underwriting staff as directed.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with claims, risk control, actuarial, and product teams to ensure holistic risk evaluation.
- Identify and contribute to process improvements that enhance underwriting efficiency and governance.
- Support strategic initiatives through data analysis, market feedback, and underwriting insights.
What you need to have:
- Bachelor's degree in insurance or related field and/or four (4) years minimum commercial lines underwriting and marketing experience or equivalent industry experience preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to develop a profitable commercial lines book of business.
- Demonstrates advanced analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to assess complex risks, synthesize relevant data, and formulate sound, evidence-based underwriting decisions.
- Proficient in interpreting business publications, industry journals, technical documentation, and regulatory guidelines to inform underwriting strategy and compliance.
- Skilled in drafting clear, concise reports, business correspondence, and procedural documentation that support operational and strategic objectives.
- Communicates effectively in both individual and group settings, presenting information and responding to inquiries from internal stakeholders, agency partners, and external vendors.
- Applies strong quantitative acumen to accurately calculate financial metrics including premiums, commissions, deductibles, and loss ratios.
- Consistently exhibits a professional, approachable demeanor that fosters trust and collaboration with colleagues, agency contacts, and business partners.
- Exemplifies WRBC Leadership Core Competencies and Innovation Behaviors, serving as a role model for excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Actively supports and promotes the company’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and a diverse, inclusive workplace culture.
We do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies or firms.
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.
Sponsorship Details
Sponsorship not Offered for this Role