Sr. Underwriter Primary Casualty - Axis Capital Holdings

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.

Senior Underwriter – Primary Casualty

Hybrid - Chicago

AXIS’ U.S. Primary Casualty Division has an opportunity for a dynamic individual to join a strategic team of professional underwriters.  Sr. Primary Casualty underwriter will act within established guidelines to actively market, analyze, review, evaluate and monitor new and renewal accounts.

Will exercise sound judgment in the processing and management of US Primary accounts and underwriting activities.  As part of a progressive, team-oriented work environment, this individual will be responsible for the development, growth and profitability of a challenging $10M GWP Primary Casualty book of business.

Candidate Profile

Senior 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 and General Liability targeting Middle Market & Large Complex risk with premiums of $100K to $1M.

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 Chicago Metro Area 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 (Willis Tower, Chicago) except while traveling to attend sales, industry, and company events. 

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Underwrite a profitable book of Middle Market to Large Complex Primary Casualty risks, employing the appropriate analytical diagnostics to assess acceptability
• Expertise in analyzing primary General 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 a diversified mix of business to achieve overall growth and profit objectives (which necessarily includes in-person meetings with brokers and clients)
• Developing a Midwest focused marketing strategy that recognizes 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 achieve profitability goals
• Make recommendations to SVP regarding market strategy, product development and departmental efficiencies
• Ability to manuscript specialized policy and endorsement language for highly 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 five years Middle Market to Large Complex Primary Casualty underwriting 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:

• Strong 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 $160,000 to USD $180,000 (Chicago). The specific salary offer will be based on an assessment of various 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.