Sr. Production Underwriter - Berkley
Rutherford, NJ 07070
About the Job
Berkley Luxury Group is an operating unit of W.R. Berkley Corporation, one of America’s largest commercial lines writers in the United states. At Berkley Luxury Group we offer tailored, all-inclusive insurance solutions for luxury condo, co-op, rental properties and fine dining restaurants.
Berkley Luxury Group has been a mainstay in the commercial real estate and hospitality business since 1986. We specialize in luxury condominiums, cooperatives, and apartments in the habitational space, Class A Office buildings and fine dining restaurants in the hospitality space. BLG maintains a standard of prompt and fair settlement of claims, and endeavors to treat insureds and brokers in a partnership-like manner.
BLG has developed a strategic plan to grow their success by expanding their footprint geographically and adding complementary products. At BLG there is a shared vision to be the best option for its customers. We aim to provide comprehensive insurance solutions, use enhanced data and technology to make more informed decisions and rely on a field-based underwriting, claims and loss control model to be closer to our customers and brokers. Our goal is to provide superior services and products to these unique businesses.
At Berkley Luxury Group, our employees are our most important asset. We recognize that if we properly support and develop our employees, they will become our primary sustainable competitive advantage and the key to achieving success. As such, we have created a high performing culture incorporating our values into work practices, policies, and processes to foster, reinforce and sustain an environment where employees share a strong sense of purpose, commitment, and motivation to meet and exceed their goals.
As a Berkley company, we enjoy operational flexibility that allows us to deliver quality coverage solutions. W. R. Berkley Corporation, and all member insurance companies, are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and carry Standard & Poor’s Financial Rating of A+ (Strong).
The company is an equal opportunity employer.
Responsibilities:
The Senior Production Underwriter is a key member of the underwriting team reporting to the Director of Underwriting. The primary goal of this position is to profitably grow a book of business by actively partnering with brokers and working effectively with colleagues throughout the organization. This person will plan and budget for the book of business, develop and maintain agency relationships, and execute underwriting decisions using underwriting rules, designated authority and will have strong knowledge of insurance laws and regulations. Key Functions will include but not be limited to:
Inforce Portfolio Management and Underwriting Execution:
- Responsible for new and renewal underwriting execution, including selecting risks in line with BLG’s strategy and underwriting guidelines, operating within authority and documentation guidelines, following up on accounts and closing new business.
- Planning and budgeting for the book of business, tracking and reporting performance to plan, and developing a clear view of market conditions and competitive landscape.
- Provides guidance and assistance to other underwriters and to other functional areas.
- Monitors production, hit ratios, renewal retention ratios, spread of risk and other production and quality measures.
- Keeps current on state/territory issues, regulations and trends.
Broker Relationships and Business Development:
- Develop trusted, respected and lasting relationships with agent partners through visitations and regular connections
- Accountable for tracking of progress and positioning BLG within an agency
- Evaluate the performance of assigned agencies on an ongoing basis to ensure company and agency goals are met, and participates in review and evaluation of agencies and makes recommendations on agency management issues.
- Communicates corporate goals, programs, underwriting policies, procedures, best practices and guidelines to agents.
- Prepares quotes and answers questions from agencies, policyholders or other external contacts and escalates issues as necessary. Negotiates with agents to reach positive and profitable outcomes.
- Deliver exceptional, timely, complete and accurate service.
- Work with agents to craft best solutions for their clients
- Notify brokers of adverse underwriting decisions, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status and declinations and underwrite empathetically at all times.
This position can be available as remote if not located near a Berkley office.
Qualifications:- BA/BS preferred.
Minimum of 5 years commercial underwriting experience working with all lines- property, casualty, auto, umbrella and general liability.
Experience working with luxury condos, co-ops, rental properties and fine dining restaurants a definite plus.
Demonstrated technical underwriting expertise and product specific knowledge
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in addition to strong interpersonal, communication & negotiation skills.
Demonstrated proficiency in sales and marketing
Solid knowledge of underwriting and insurance industry theories and practices.
Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively interact with all levels of internal and external business partners.
Ability to multi-task and to independently prioritize competing demands/requests within given time constraints.
Ability to work independently and exercise independent judgment and effectively make sound business decisions.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.