Business Development Underwriter

About The Company

Berkley One is a modern insurance provider designed for a contemporary generation of affluent clients. We specialize in offering highly customized risk management and claims solutions, delivered through expert independent agents, innovative digital tools, and the robust backing of the Berkley brand. As a proud member of W. R. Berkley Corporation, we are committed to setting new benchmarks in personal insurance through our focus on innovation, simplicity, and outstanding service.

About The Role

We are actively seeking a dedicated and experienced Business Development Underwriter to join our dynamic team at Berkley One. In this pivotal role, you will play a crucial part in achieving profitable growth by seamlessly integrating profound underwriting expertise with strategic business development initiatives. Your core responsibilities will encompass evaluating complex risks, cultivating strong agency relationships, and executing growth strategies that are in perfect alignment with the company’s ambitious objectives. This position presents a unique opportunity to significantly influence organizational growth, collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, and contribute to the evolution of a forward-thinking insurance brand that prioritizes innovation and client-centric solutions.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) or possess equivalent professional experience, coupled with 3-5 years of successful agency management and underwriting experience specifically within high-net-worth personal lines. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills are paramount, alongside the agility to tailor messaging effectively for diverse audiences. A profound customer-centric mindset, genuine empathy for both insureds and agents, and a high degree of organization and accountability are essential attributes. We seek a collaborative, innovative, and continuously improvement-driven individual, proficient in utilizing advanced underwriting tools and analytics. The willingness and ability to fulfill travel requirements, including frequent travel throughout the assigned territory, are necessary for this role.

Responsibilities

As a Business Development Underwriter, your responsibilities will span several critical areas:

• Underwriting & Risk Evaluation: Conduct daily underwriting of new business, meticulously selecting and pricing risks to align with stringent profitability targets. Collaborate closely with risk management teams to thoroughly assess exposures and recommend proactive risk mitigation strategies. Utilize advanced analytics and sophisticated underwriting tools to continuously monitor portfolio performance, and effectively educate agents on Berkley One’s precise risk appetite to guide appropriate risk selection.
• Business Development & Agency Management: Implement comprehensive agency management strategies designed to achieve ambitious growth and profit goals across multiple territories. Identify and successfully onboard new agency partners while strategically managing or phasing out underperforming ones. Lead agency business planning sessions with a sharp focus on new business acquisition, robust retention strategies, profitability optimization, and operational efficiency. Maintain a robust pipeline of target market opportunities and proactively support agency partners with quoting processes and new business development initiatives.
• Strategic Collaboration & Brand Building: Partner effectively with distribution and marketing teams to conceptualize and develop innovative growth initiatives, which may include lead generation campaigns, engaging networking events, targeted marketing campaigns, and compelling brand storytelling. Foster and maintain strong, collaborative relationships between agency partners and internal teams to consistently ensure superior service delivery. Contribute valuable insights gleaned from market trends, broker feedback, and competitive analysis to inform and shape overarching organizational strategies.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Proactively identify opportunities for significant process enhancements and the implementation of innovative practices within both underwriting and business development functions. Courageously challenge existing norms and actively contribute to key organizational priorities aimed at substantially improving overall efficiency and elevating client satisfaction.

The role involves traveling approximately 40% of the time within the assigned territory, with occasional in-office presence in Stamford, CT.

Benefits

At Berkley One, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive benefits package meticulously crafted to support our employees’ overall well-being and professional advancement. Our benefits include competitive compensation, generous paid time off, and a diverse range of wellness programs. Our offerings further extend to an employer-funded health savings account, profit sharing opportunities, a robust 401(k) plan, paid parental leave, an employee stock purchase plan, tuition assistance programs, and ample opportunities for continuous professional development. We cultivate a vibrant culture defined by innovation, teamwork, and internal mobility, providing unparalleled visibility to senior leadership and significant opportunities to actively influence organizational change. The compensation package for this specific role ranges from $110,000 to $130,000 annually, with eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus.

Equal Opportunity

W. R. Berkley Corporation is a committed equal employment opportunity employer. We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, warmly welcoming applicants irrespective of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. We firmly believe in cultivating an environment where all employees can flourish and contribute meaningfully to our collective success.

Key skills/competency

• Underwriting Expertise
• Risk Evaluation
• Business Development
• Agency Management
• High-Net-Worth Personal Lines
• Strategic Planning
• Market Analysis
• Client Relationship Management
• Process Improvement
• Communication Skills