Lead Underwriter, Primary Casualty - Contractors & Products Liability - Axis Capital Holdings
Los Angeles, CA
About the Job
This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital – a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance. We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture. As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry.
At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, civil union status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in the selection process.
Lead Underwriter – Primary Casualty
Hybrid - San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix or Denver
AXIS’ U.S. Primary Casualty Division has an opportunity for a dynamic individual to join a strategic team of professional underwriters. Under Senior Vice President (SVP) supervision, our Lead Underwriter – Primary Casualty will act within established guidelines to actively analyzes, underwrites, quotes, negotiates, binds, and services non-admitted GL business through the wholesale distribution channel.
The Lead Underwriter will exercise sound judgment in the processing and management of US Primary accounts and underwriting activities. As part of a progressive, collaborative work environment, this individual will be responsible for the development, growth, and profitability of a challenging $5M book of Primary Casualty book of business.
Candidate Profile
Lead Underwriter, Primary Casualty will be a “hands-on” technical expert with a history of success within a top-tier Commercial Insurance Carrier focused on building a complex book of Primary Casualty, General, and Products Liability targeting Middle Market to Risk Management scale accounts.
Candidates will have deep contacts within wholesale broker channels, exposure to the Manufacturing and Commercial Contractors verticals, and full life cycle exposure to portfolio management across; solicitation of submissions, underwriting analysis, preparing and issuing indications/quotations/binders, and marketing.
Additionally, the candidate must have an executive presence, demonstrating success in communicating, influencing, and building solid relationships that add value to the AXIS business book and contribute to longer-term strategic initiatives.
Work Profile
This role is ideal for individuals based in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix or Denver who are looking for a combination of remote, in office, and face-to-face meetings with internal partners and clients. The job requires three days a week in the office except while traveling to attend sales, industry, and company events.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
- Underwrite a profitable book of Primary Casualty risks, employing the appropriate analytical diagnostics to assess acceptability.
- Expertise in analyzing primary General and Products Liability pricing adequacy, with an emphasis on Manufacturing and Commercial Contractors verticals.
- Ability to negotiate terms and conditions in a highly complex and competitive environment with a broad range of wholesale brokers.
- Advanced analytical and creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
- Underwriting and developing a profitable book of business greater than $5M GWP supporting strategic business plans while retaining diversified mix of business to achieve overall growth and profit objectives (which necessarily includes in-person meetings with brokers and clients)
- Developing marketing strategies that recognize the risk appetite of the wholesale brokers, that produce desirable accounts to meet new business goals.
- Regularly attend meetings in the office and in remote locations with other underwriters, employees, staff, and management
- Support changes to long-term and short-term business strategies with the ability to adjust quickly & effectively, to achieve profitability goals.
- Make recommendations to SVP regarding market strategy, product development and departmental efficiencies.
- Ability to manuscript specialized policy and endorsement language for complex risks
- Stay up to date on national, state, and regional issues/regulations, industry activity and trends.
- Responsible for special underwriting projects and presentations as requested by SVP.
Required Education/Training & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree required. CPCU, ARM, and/or ASLI designations are a plus.
- A minimum of 10 years Middle Market to Large Complex non-admitted General and Product liability experience
- Strong negotiation and business development abilities.
- Established wholesale broker relationships are highly desired.
- Advanced technical expertise, underwriting skills, and a high level of knowledge of insurance and underwriting principles, practices, and procedures
- In-depth knowledge of the Primary Casualty lines of business and legal and regulatory guidelines, to include demonstrated technical knowledge and skills reflective of a progression of positions with increasing responsibility.
Other desired skills and characteristics:
- Effective communication, negotiation, influencing and presentation skills.
- Ability to effectively interact with all levels of internal and external business partners.
- Ability to effectively analyze and assess risk and develop creative solutions.
- Ability to travel and meet with brokers, clients, and attend industry and company meetings in person.
For this position, we expect to offer a base salary in the range of USD 200K - 250K. The specific salary offer will be based on an assessment of several factors, including the experience of the successful candidate and their work location. In addition, all employees are eligible for competitive incentive targets, with awards based on overall corporate and individual performance. On top of this, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for employees and their families, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, and much more