Opportunity: This is an opportunity to build and lead a regional middle-market underwriting operation with responsibility for a multiline admitted property and casualty portfolio. The role combines people leadership, portfolio management, broker relationship development, technical underwriting leadership, and business-building responsibilities.
The (AVP or VP) Underwriter in this role will develop a high-performing underwriting team, establish and execute regional underwriting and broker strategies, and drive profitable portfolio growth. The position requires a leader who can balance strategic direction with hands-on execution while establishing the structure, practices, and market relationships needed to support sustainable growth. Title and level may be aligned to experience and qualifications.
Key Responsibilities:- Build and lead a regional underwriting organization, including recruiting, onboarding, developing, and retaining experienced multiline underwriters.
- Own the strategy, profitable growth, and overall performance of a multiline admitted property and casualty portfolio.
- Establish production, profitability, retention, and portfolio objectives; monitor results and pipeline activity; and take appropriate action to maintain disciplined execution.
- Provide technical underwriting leadership across risk selection, exposure evaluation, pricing, terms, account structure, referrals, and underwriting authority.
- Develop and execute a regional retail broker strategy that strengthens key relationships and generates profitable new and renewal opportunities.
- Coach and develop underwriters through ongoing feedback, account consultation, performance management, and individualized development planning.
- Maintain underwriting quality through portfolio reviews, file audits, referral oversight, and consistent application of underwriting guidelines, authorities, and standards.
- Partner across Distribution, Claims, Risk Engineering, and other functions to deliver coordinated solutions and improve the broker and customer experience.
- Translate regional insights into recommendations that strengthen underwriting strategy, operating practices, and business execution.
Key Skills:- People Leadership: Ability to build, develop, coach, and retain experienced underwriting teams while establishing clear expectations and accountability.
- Multiline Underwriting Expertise: Strong technical capability across Property, General Liability, Commercial Automobile, Workers' Compensation, Umbrella/Excess, and Inland Marine.
- Portfolio Management: Ability to manage production, profitability, retention, risk selection, underwriting quality, and referral activity to achieve portfolio objectives.
- Broker Relationship Management: Demonstrated ability to develop productive retail broker relationships and expand market presence.
- Underwriting Judgment: Strong decision-making capabilities across risk selection, pricing, exposure evaluation, terms, structure, and underwriting authority.
- Strategic Execution: Ability to translate business objectives and market insights into practical strategies and measurable execution.
- Team Building: Ability to establish structure and build effective teams within an entrepreneurial and growing environment.
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to evaluate portfolio performance and balance growth opportunities with underwriting discipline.
- Communication and Influence: Strong communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-management skills with the ability to influence across functions and organizational levels.
Qualifications:- Minimum of 10 years of commercial property and casualty underwriting experience, including significant experience within the admitted middle-market segment.
- Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated people-leadership experience, including recruiting, coaching, performance management, and development of experienced underwriters.
- Broad underwriting experience across Property, General Liability, Commercial Automobile, Workers' Compensation, Umbrella/Excess, and Inland Marine.
- Demonstrated track record of driving profitable portfolio performance through disciplined production management, risk selection, underwriting quality, and referral oversight.
- Experience building and maintaining productive relationships with retail brokers; established relationships within Chicago and the Western Region are preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to build teams and establish effective operating structures within a growing business environment.
- Bachelor's degree preferred.
- CPCU or another relevant professional designation is a plus.
BHSI Offers:- A competitive package and exciting growth opportunities for career-oriented teammates.
- A dynamic, action oriented, and thoughtful environment centered on always doing the right thing for our customers, teammates and our other stakeholders.
- A purposely non-bureaucratic organization that embraces simplicity over complexity and emphasizes individual excellence in a team framework.
- Benefits that support your life and well-being, which include:
- Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision benefits.
- Disability Insurance (both short-term and long-term).
- Life Insurance (for you and your family).
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (for you and your family).
- Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Health Reimbursement Account.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Retirement Savings 401(k) Plan with Company Match.
- Generous holiday and Paid Time Off.
- Tuition Reimbursement.
- Paid Parental Leave.
The base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $225,000, along with annual bonus eligibility. Total compensation for a candidate is determined by their relevant skills, location, and experience. We value our teammates - both their capabilities and character - as demonstrated by our amazing culture.
NOTE: Compensation will be commensurate with experience. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Team Member may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
