AVP/VP, Environmental Underwriter

Berkley Specialty Excess (BSE) was founded in 2023 as a member company of W.R. Berkley Corporation.  Berkley Specialty Excess is an excess and surplus lines commercial insurance carrier. Berkley Specialty Excess provides excess and surplus lines coverages for mid-market companies with hard-to place, specialized risks including, environmental (excess and primary), excess energy and excess general casualty. These risks involve moderate to high degrees of hazard and require highly negotiated terms to meet buyer's needs. The distribution of products is limited to industry specialized brokers, wholesale for all products and large retail brokers for environmental and energy products.

Company URL:  https://www.berkleyse.com/

The company is an equal opportunity employer.

The AVP/VP Environmental Underwriter will focus on production underwriting and profitable business growth for an expanding Berkely company about to enter its 4^th year of operation.  The successful candidate will be a motivated self-starter with a proven track record of profitable results. The position will provide the opportunity to play a key role in the strategic direction of the underwriting platform, business development and marketing strategies for the unit’s book of business.  In addition, this position  will provide a key supporting role in the development of products, processes, guidelines, and the underwriting audit process. 

• Responsible for the overall management, business development, analysis and monitoring of an environmental book of business.
• Production and underwriting of new and renewal accounts.
• Development and management of business and broker/agent relationships.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting documentation rules and guidelines.
• Maintain an acceptable underwriting profit.
• Adherence to Berkley Specialty Excess underwriting guidelines and referral compliance.
• Participate in internal company training and continuing education.
• Remain current on new product opportunities as it pertains to market trends, appetite, and risk.
• Stay abreast and knowledgeable on market trends in terms of forms, coverage, and appetite to maintain competitiveness.
• Leverage skills and expertise outside of desk responsibilities, including participation in marketing/public speaking events.

Additional Responsibilities include:

• Provide support to the underwriting audit process.
• Support the drafting of policy language and coordinate with Claims and Legal to finalize wording.
• Act as a role model promoting company brand and culture.
• Assist with special projects and tasks, as directed by the President.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of 8-10 years of commercial insurance underwriting experience, preferably in E&S markets.
• Technical knowledge of general casualty and pollution lines of coverage, other lines of experience a plus.
• Experience with environmental contractual wording, rating methodologies, financial analysis, and policy structure
• Research and project management experience.
• Proven track record of profitable production

Education Requirement

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent insurance experience required.