Position Summary

The Head of Delegated Authority and Programs will design, build, and lead ICW Specialty's delegated authority and program business from the ground up. This is a strategic, highly visible leadership role responsible for sourcing, underwriting, negotiating, onboarding, and governing third-party program partnerships (MGAs/MGUs/Program Administrators) across specialty lines of business. The successful candidate will balance entrepreneurial growth objectives with disciplined underwriting, actuarial, compliance, and audit rigor, building the infrastructure, controls, and team needed to scale a profitable book of delegated & program business.

This individual will act as the primary executive owner of the delegated authority value chain: from partner selection and contract negotiation through ongoing performance monitoring, audit, and remediation. They will be a key member of the ICW Specialty leadership team, partnering closely with underwriting, actuarial, claims, reinsurance, compliance, and finance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Business Development

• Define and execute ICW Specialty's delegated authority and programs strategy, including target classes of business, distribution appetite, and growth targets.
• Identify, evaluate, and cultivate a pipeline of prospective MGA, MGU, and program administrator partners aligned with ICW Specialty's risk appetite and profitability objectives.
• Negotiate binding authority agreements, underwriting guidelines, and program terms, in partnership with Legal and Compliance.
• Represent ICW Specialty at industry conferences, broker events, and MGA forums to build the company's reputation as a partner of choice in the delegated authority marketplace.

Underwriting & Program Governance

• Establish underwriting guidelines, binding authority limits, and referral protocols for each program in partnership with the Chief Underwriting Officer and actuarial team.
• Build and lead a rigorous program oversight framework, including pre-bind due diligence, ongoing performance monitoring, loss ratio tracking, and periodic underwriting and claims audits of delegated partners.
• Ensure all programs operate within approved authority, pricing, and reserving guidelines; escalate and remediate underperformance or authority breaches promptly.
• Partner with Actuarial and Reinsurance to structure program-level reinsurance, quota share, and risk transfer arrangements as needed.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all delegated authority arrangements comply with applicable state insurance regulations, surplus lines requirements, and internal risk management standards.
• Maintain a robust MGA compliance program covering licensing, financial solvency reviews, cybersecurity and data protection standards, and contractual SLAs.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Internal Audit to develop and maintain audit protocols, scorecards, and corrective action processes for underperforming or non-compliant partners.
• Maintain accurate records and reporting in support of regulatory examinations, rating agency reviews, and reinsurer due diligence.

Financial & Portfolio Performance

• Own the P&L for the delegated authority and programs book, including premium growth, loss ratio, expense ratio, and overall program profitability.
• Develop and present regular portfolio performance reporting to executive leadership, including program-level scorecards, trend analysis, and recommendations.
• Partner with Finance and Actuarial on pricing adequacy reviews, reserve analysis, and annual business planning for the programs portfolio.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Build, lead, and mentor a team of program managers, delegated authority underwriters, and compliance/audit professionals as the business scales.
• Establish clear roles, workflows, and performance standards across the delegated authority function.
• Foster a culture of underwriting discipline, partnership, and accountability, both internally and with external program partners.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and mentor a team of program managers, delegated authority underwriters, and compliance/audit professionals

Education, Knowledge & Skills

Required

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, risk management, insurance, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in the property & casualty insurance industry, with at least 5 years directly managing delegated authority, MGA/MGU, or program business.
• Demonstrated success building or scaling a delegated authority or programs unit, including partner sourcing, contract negotiation, and portfolio management.
• Strong working knowledge of excess & surplus lines, specialty casualty or property products, and the regulatory framework governing delegated underwriting authority.
• Proven ability to design and operate program governance frameworks, including underwriting audits, compliance monitoring, and performance remediation.
• Excellent negotiation, relationship management, and executive communication skills, with experience presenting to senior leadership and boards.
• Strong financial and analytical acumen, including familiarity with loss ratios, rate adequacy, reserving, and reinsurance structures.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex underwriting, financial, and compliance concepts to audiences ranging from program partners and brokers to executive leadership and regulators.

Preferred

• Professional designations such as CPCU, ARM, or CIC.
• Existing network of MGA/MGU, and broker relationships in the specialty marketplace.
• Experience building a delegated authority function within a new or growing specialty carrier or MGA platform.

What ICW Specialty Offers

• The opportunity to build and shape a strategic new business line from the ground up within a well-capitalized, A-rated carrier.
• A collaborative leadership team and the backing of ICW Group's 50+ year track record and financial strength.
• Competitive base salary, performance-based incentive compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, paid time off, and more).
• A culture that values entrepreneurial thinking, underwriting discipline, and genuine partnership with distribution partners.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Office environment - employees are regularly required to sit, walk, stand, talk, and hear. Ability to lift and carry event materials as needed. Some evening and weekend work may be required during peak event periods.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates primarily in an office environment with frequent use of a computer, telephone, and standard office equipment. Travel to event sites and branch locations is required. This position is expected to provide on-site presence during events.

This position is not available in California

We are currently not offering employment sponsorship for this opportunity

The current range for this position is
$210,000.00 - $682,500.00
This range is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If hired at ICW Group, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors unique to each candidate, including experience, education and the location of the role and considers employees performing substantially similar work.

Job Category
Underwriting