AVP, Core Underwriting - Berkley
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
About the Job
Berkley Aspire is an excess & surplus lines insurer of commercial risks unable to find a home in the standard markets. We are an operating unit of WR Berkley, a publicly traded (NYSE “WRB”) global insurer founded in 1967.
We make excess & surplus lines easy – easy for our distribution partners, easy for the businesses they represent, and easy to navigate. The lines of coverage we underwrite include general liability, property, and excess liability. Our model is different than our competitors – we do the premium billing and do not add interest/ finance percentage, we offer enhanced commissions, and we handle the stamping, affidavit filings, and other behind-the-scenes paperwork.
Our company culture is entrepreneurial, employee centric, and focused on sustainable growth. Aspire teammates work either remotely or on a hybrid schedule from offices in Scottsdale, Cincinnati, and Richmond. If you are looking for a company that offers room for advancement, great benefits, and positive vibes, then Aspire may be the place for you!
Benefit Highlights
• Aspire offers Medical, Dental and Vision coverage. Our onsite Scottsdale, AZ Wellness Center and companywide Employee Assistance Program are free to employees and are here to support your overall well-being. Our flexible work schedule with a work-from-home day means you can balance work and life like a pro.
• Our Health Savings Accounts have automatic company contributions if you sign up, and we offer Flexible Spending Accounts, STD, LTD, life insurance policies, and more. Plus, we offer a 401(k) program, profit-sharing program, and stock purchase plan – investing in your future has never been so rewarding.
• We've got you covered with competitive paid time off, paid sick time, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Plus, you get paid holidays, a floating holiday, and paid volunteer time – because giving back to the community is important to us at Aspire!
• Come grow with us! Level up with company sponsored conferences, tuition assistance, and industry-related education and exams. We have many internal promotional growth opportunities – because we believe in growing together.
• We believe in working hard and playing hard. We embrace team building and are enthusiastic about sponsoring fun activities inside and outside of the office. Our Plum Benefits program gives you cost-free access to thousands of exclusive travel and entertainment discounts – it's like a VIP pass to fun.
www.berkleyaspire.com
Responsibilities:The Assistant Vice President – Core Underwriting (AVP) will be a direct report of the VP, Underwriting and is a key member of the Aspire leadership team. The AVP is responsible for the overall financial results, profitable growth and sales culture for the core business segment of Aspire. In collaboration with other segments and departments, this role will be responsible for assisting with the development and execution of Aspire’s underwriting and sales strategy, with the goal of maximizing shareholder value and risk-adjusted returns.
This role can be located in any of our offices - Scottsdale AZ, Glen Allen (Richmond) VA, or West Chester (Cincinnati) OH.
Specific Duties
- Overall responsibility for the underwriting function and profitable growth of the Core Business segment
- Provides subject matter expertise to the development of relevant automation technology, product design, underwriting and operations
- Develops and executes Core Business product strategy, including the design of underwriting guidelines around class, size, minimum premium, hazard grade, rates, etc.
- Develops pricing and underwriting strategies to attain and improve profitable growth
- Set strategic process for identifying, evaluating and managing emerging risks
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the Core Business distribution strategy, including identification of strategic opportunities/ partnerships on a countrywide basis (geographies, new appointments, affiliated company alignment, aggregators and top 100 national retail agents)
- Customize alignment and approach with each strategic partner through the implementation of creative solutions in process/structure/compensation to assure agile and appropriate response to each customer’s needs
- Ensure execution of the strategic plan through alignment with all underwriting managers on segmentation, distribution and product strategies.
- Responsible for all production and underwriting (profit/loss) results for the Core Business production underwriting team
- Lead and coach the production underwriting team through an advanced understanding of underwriting guidelines, state regulations, facultative reinsurance placement and OFAC regulations
- Accountable for the creation, monitoring and management of key underwriting metrics including submission activity, call activity, relationship mapping, production, rate change, rate application, loss ratios, expenses and quality
- Establish underwriting authority levels and referral processes that both streamline decision-making and ensure underwriting excellence
- Identifies issues/impediments to achieving business results and implements corrective measures
- Responsible for the strategic allocation of resources, within staffing model, that will drive desired business results
- Accountable for staff selection, training, retention and development for the Core Business segment
- Models behavior that encourages collaboration, teamwork and open communication
#LI-RS1
Qualifications:- BS/BA college degree required.
- Minimum of 10 years of P & C insurance industry experience
- Minimum of 5 years management/leadership experience
- The knowledge and skill levels acquired through undergraduate level studies especially in the areas of business administration, finance or marketing
- Surplus lines experience preferred
- Strong distribution and agency management experience
- Established retail agent relationships preferred
- Strong business and financial acumen
- Strong leadership skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills – ability to influence and persuade through advanced written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships
- Knowledge of insurance principles, rates, rules, forms, procedures, regulations, coverages and business processes
- Analyze complex administrative or business problems, evaluate alternatives, and make appropriate recommendations
- Exhibits a track record for finding innovative ways to bring teams together to problem-solve for greatest efficiency and effectiveness.
- Agile and decisive; can work with an ambiguous, fast moving environment while also leading to clarity and solutions; adapts quickly and effectively to change.
