AVP, E&S Excess Casualty Underwriter

Position Summary

A Fortune 500 insurance carrier is seeking an experienced AVP, E&S Excess Casualty Underwriter to join its growing Specialty Casualty division. This individual will be responsible for underwriting complex excess casualty risks, managing a profitable portfolio, and driving business development initiatives across key wholesale distribution partners.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in Excess & Surplus casualty underwriting, a strong network within the wholesale brokerage community, and a proven ability to evaluate and price complex liability exposures while maintaining underwriting discipline.

Key Responsibilities

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of complex E&S Excess Casualty accounts, including:

• Lead and excess umbrella liability

• High-hazard construction

• Manufacturing

• Energy

• Transportation

• Real estate

• Hospitality

• Public entity and other specialty casualty classes

• Analyze risk characteristics, loss trends, financial statements, and exposure data to determine pricing, terms, and structure.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with wholesale brokers and key distribution partners.

• Execute marketing and business development strategies to drive profitable growth within assigned territory.

• Negotiate terms, conditions, limits, and pricing on new and renewal business.

• Monitor portfolio performance and take corrective underwriting actions as necessary.

• Collaborate with actuarial, claims, legal, and product teams to support underwriting strategy.

• Serve as a market-facing representative of the organization at industry conferences, broker meetings, and networking events.

• Mentor and develop junior underwriting staff as needed.

• Maintain a thorough understanding of industry trends, emerging exposures, and competitive market conditions.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

• 10+ years of E&S casualty underwriting experience, with a strong focus on Excess Casualty and Umbrella Liability.

• Demonstrated success underwriting complex middle-market and large account casualty risks.

• Established relationships with wholesale brokers including firms such as:

• Amwins

• CRC Group

• RT Specialty

• Burns & Wilcox

• Risk Placement Services (RPS)

• Worldwide Facilities

• Strong technical underwriting, coverage analysis, and pricing skills.

• Proven track record of generating profitable growth while maintaining underwriting discipline.

• Experience handling accounts with limits ranging from $5M to $25M+.

• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management capabilities.

Preferred

• CPCU, AU, ARM, or other industry designations.
• Experience underwriting lead umbrella and excess liability placements.
• Prior authority level of $1M+ gross written premium and significant referral authority.
• Experience within a national carrier, specialty insurer, or Lloyd's platform.

Key Competencies

• Technical Underwriting Expertise
• Portfolio Management
• Broker Relationship Management
• Strategic Business Development
• Financial Acumen
• Negotiation & Influence
• Leadership & Mentorship
• Risk Assessment and Pricing