Garage Underwriting Product Line Lead - Berkley
Glen Allen, VA 23060
About the Job
Verus Specialty Insurance is an Excess and Surplus Lines provider writing business countrywide, a member of W.R. Berkley Corporate (NYSE: WRB), one of the largest property casualty insurance holding companies in the United States. The resources and strength of a Fortune 500 company back us and we operate with the flexibility and closeness of a small underwriting company. As such, Verus Specialty Insurance operates through a group of wholesale producers nationwide.
Our leadership encourages a culture that empowers employees to question the status quo and seek innovative ways to continue to exceed the expectations of our customers. We believe our strength comes from building an exceptional team that embraces collaboration, growth and ownership. If you share our vision and want to work for an organization that values your contributions, we want to hear from you!
The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Responsibilities:
We are seeking a seasoned and visionary Garage Underwriting Product Line Leader (AVP, Eligible) to lead and shape our garage insurance product line, including non-franchised dealers and garage service risks. In this role, you will be responsible for driving the growth and profitability of our garage insurance product line, leveraging your deep industry expertise and strong leadership skills. As the Product Line Leader, you will be responsible for developing and executing strategies that ensure the profitability and growth of the garage product line, while also attracting and developing top talent within the organization.
Why You Should Apply:
- Leadership Impact: Take charge of a critical product line and influence the direction and success of our garage insurance offerings.
- Strategic Influence: Shape long-term strategies and drive execution to achieve and sustain competitive advantage in the market.
- Collaborative Culture: Lead a team that values innovation, continuous improvement, and open dialogue, ensuring a dynamic and inclusive work environment.
- Career Growth: This is a high-impact role with visibility and opportunities for advancement within the organization.
AVP Eligibility: Depending on the candidate's level of experience and demonstrated ability to impact the role strategically, this position may be eligible for an AVP or VP title either at the time of hire or as a future advancement opportunity.
Key Functions:
- Strategic Leadership: Identify critical goals and success factors for the garage product line, develop strategies to achieve them, and translate these strategies into clear objectives and actionable plans.
- Financial Management: Use KPIs and financial analysis to manage the garage book of business, ensuring profitability and recognizing potential business growth opportunities.
- Execution and Performance: Drive continuous improvement in all organizational processes and products, using benchmarks and performance measures to track progress and tackle issues proactively.
- Underwriting Excellence: Lead the garage underwriting team by setting and enforcing high underwriting standards. Act as a referral source for complex coverage issues and ensure the team effectively manages risks.
- Talent Development: Attract, select, and develop high-performance talent, creating an environment that promotes continuous learning and development. Build a team with complementary strengths and prepare successors for key positions.
- Client and Broker Relationship Management: Lead high-level negotiations on coverage and pricing. Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and brokers, ensuring alignment with both client needs and company objectives.
- Market Analysis and Innovation: Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging risks, and competitive strategies. Drive technological and process innovations within the product line, fostering a culture of entrepreneurial risk-taking.
- Empowerment and Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment where team members feel energized and motivated, promoting teamwork across the organization and celebrating significant achievements.
- Industry Expertise: Apply deep industry knowledge of garage risks, competitive strategies, and market trends to inform decision-making and maintain a competitive edge.
- Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, adapting communication styles to effectively influence and negotiate with key decision-makers.
- Entrepreneurial Innovation: Encourage innovation and risk-taking within the product line, championing new ideas and pursuing business opportunities that drive growth.
- Bachelor's degree in insurance, business, or a related field; advanced degree or professional certifications.
- Proven leadership experience in garage underwriting, with a strong track record of managing profitable books of business.
- Proven ability to apply prior knowledge to address complex and critical issues, integrating diverse perspectives and making tough, pragmatic decisions when necessary.
- Deep industry knowledge of garage risks, coverages, and regulatory issues.
- Strong financial acumen with experience in using KPIs and financial analysis to manage product line profitability.
- Ability to identify long-term opportunities and recognize when to shift strategic direction to adapt to changes in the market.
- Excellent negotiation skills and the ability to lead complex client and broker negotiations.
- Demonstrated ability to attract, develop, and lead high-performance teams, with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Innovative thinker with the ability to drive technological advancements and process improvements.
- Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to influence key stakeholders at all levels.
- Project self-assurance and confidence, stand up to criticism, and make difficult decisions, when necessary, while also being open to feedback and acknowledging personal limitations.
- Willingness and ability to travel, as needed.