The Carlisle Group has been retained by an AM Best “A” rated carrier to find an experienced Leader for Commercial Specialty Lines Underwriting. Our preferred client in headquartered in the Midwest, has been in business for over 90 years, and does business in 12 states. This is a remote location opportunity.

Summary:

We are searching for an experienced Specialty Leader to focus on the evolution of this organization’s strategy, products, and talent. Our client wants this person to assess their current portfolio of products and develop a plan for an expanded appetite, new products, and the talent needed to drive profitable growth. Focus needs to be on top underwriting and product talent and the development of a clear appetite with targeted segments. This role will work with enterprise shared partners to develop and implement go-to market and agency strategies to leverage existing and new products and develop a “business system” to regularly monitor and measure the progress of all specialty products, programs, and niches. It is critical that this leader be a team player and work seamlessly with other commercial lines leaders and teams to leverage specialty opportunities adjacent to our targeted standard commercial lines business. This role will develop the next generation of specialty leadership and talent.

Essential functions of the position:

• Strategy Development: Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and implement strategic plans for the specialty underwriting unit, identifying market opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. This includes building the strategy for future programs and initiatives to expand the business's offerings and market presence.
• Leadership: Provide strong leadership to a team of managers and a department comprising Farm, Program, and Specialty underwriters. Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, underwriting discipline, and balanced growth.
• Talent Development: Attract, retain, and develop top talent within the specialty underwriting team. Provide coaching, mentorship, and opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• P&L Management: Assume full accountability for the Profit and Loss of the specialty underwriting business unit. Develop and execute strategies to achieve premium targets, maximize profitability, and manage expenses.
• Underwriting Excellence: Ensure the highest standards of underwriting quality, risk assessment, and pricing accuracy across all specialty lines. Implement best practices and leverage data analytics to optimize underwriting performance.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders including sales, product, claims, and internal shared services, to drive cross-functional alignment and support business objectives.
• Agency Partnerships: Develop a distribution strategy to partner with the right agents in target geographies. Additionally, cultivate relationships with external partners, including agents and brokers, to enhance distribution channels, improve market penetration, and drive business growth.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies, proactively identifying and mitigating risks to the business.

Marginal Functions:

• Travel to various geographies across the enterprise footprint.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree. MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in specialty underwriting with a proven history of delivering results and driving business growth.
• Possession of industry-recognized designations such as CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) or other relevant insurance certifications preferred.
• Strong understanding of specialty insurance products, markets, and underwriting principles.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
• Strategic thinker with a data-driven and results-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage P&L and drive financial performance.
• Sound judgment and decision-making capabilities, with a focus on integrity and ethical conduct.

Details