Exec Underwriter Inland Marine

Executive Underwriter - Inland Marine

Employment Type: Direct Hire, Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Location: Itasca, IL or Bloomington, MN
Schedule: Monday-Friday | Standard Business Hours
Salary: $150k - $175k plus bonus
Benefits: 25% Annual Incentive Compensation Bonus, 25 Days PTO

Job Description

The Executive Underwriter - Inland Marine serves as a senior underwriting leader responsible for driving profitable growth, underwriting excellence, portfolio management, and agency development within an assigned territory. This role operates with the highest level of underwriting authority and partners closely with leadership, agents, and field teams to execute business strategies, enhance underwriting performance, and develop strong customer and agency relationships.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive Inland Marine underwriting expertise, strong business development capabilities, portfolio management experience, and the ability to influence stakeholders while mentoring and coaching underwriting teams. This individual thrives in a fast-paced environment and possesses a deep understanding of insurance markets, underwriting strategy, and profitable portfolio growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Underwrite new business, renewal business, and complex endorsement referrals within Inland Marine lines.
• Drive profitable growth and achieve territory production, retention, and profitability objectives.
• Manage underwriting decisions while maintaining compliance with corporate guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with agents, brokers, and distribution partners to expand business opportunities.
• Collaborate with leadership to execute underwriting strategies and territory business plans.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to underwriting staff while supporting talent development initiatives.
• Analyze portfolio performance, identify trends, and implement corrective actions to improve profitability.
• Monitor loss ratios, retention metrics, premium growth, and book mix performance within assigned territories.
• Partner with Business Development Managers and field leadership to identify growth opportunities and improve agency performance.
• Gather market intelligence regarding pricing, products, services, and competitor activity to inform underwriting strategy.
• Support the development of new products, underwriting capabilities, and emerging market opportunities.
• Prepare and analyze underwriting reports, adverse decisions, rate appeals, and territory performance metrics.
• Stay informed on regulatory changes, underwriting trends, and industry developments affecting Inland Marine business.
• Engage with key customers and agents on complex accounts and strategic relationship opportunities.
• Support execution of profit improvement initiatives and portfolio optimization strategies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• 10+ years of Inland Marine underwriting experience with broad exposure across multiple classes of business.
• Strong expertise in underwriting, portfolio management, agency development, and insurance operations.
• Ability to manage complex accounts and make strategic underwriting decisions with significant authority.
• Proven experience driving profitable growth and managing underwriting performance metrics.
• Strong business development and relationship management skills with agents and brokers.
• Experience analyzing portfolio performance and implementing corrective strategies.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and influence underwriting professionals.
• Strong understanding of insurance products, industry trends, and marketplace dynamics.
• Ability to travel as needed by car or air.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional insurance designations such as CPCU, ARM, AU, or similar credentials.
• Experience leading underwriting initiatives or mentoring underwriting teams.
• Demonstrated success managing large and complex Inland Marine portfolios.
• Experience collaborating with senior leadership on underwriting and business strategies.
• Strong understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements within commercial insurance.
• Product development or insurance program development experience.
• Established agency and broker relationships within the Midwest market.
• Experience working in a highly collaborative and growth-focused underwriting environment.

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