Senior Underwriter, US Excess Casualty

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital - a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance. We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture. As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry.

At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, civil union status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in the selection process.

Senior Underwriter, US Excess Casualty

Chicago, IL

AXIS' U.S. Excess Casualty Practice is seeking a dynamic Excess Casualty underwriter to join our Excess Casualty team. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, the individual will act within established guidelines to actively market, analyze, review, evaluate, and monitor new and renewal lead excess and mid-to-high-attaching excess liability accounts with an average premium of $250K.

Within a progressive work environment, the individual will be responsible for the development, growth, and profitability of a challenging E&S Excess Casualty book of business. Our Appetite includes a wide range of industries, including Manufacturing, Commercial Construction, and Transportation, and addresses a range of Casualty Products, General Liability, Professional Liability, EPL, and Commercial Auto.

Individuals should be recognized for their strength in new business development and client relations, technical analysis, integrity, and work ethic. Success candidates will drive business results through solid underwriting analysis, highly active sales and marketing efforts, long-term client relationship building, and collaborative engagement with internal business partners.

Candidate Profile

Senior Underwriter, Excess Casualty will be a "hands-on" technical expert with a history of success within a top-tier Commercial Insurance Carrier focused on building a complex book of Excess Casualty and General Liability targeting Middle Market & Large Complex risk. Addressing casualty solutions; General Liability, Professional Liability, EPL, and Commercial Auto.

Candidates will have contacts within Wholesale broker channels, exposure to the manufacturing Commercial Contractors and Transportation risk, and full life cycle portfolio management across; solicitation of submissions, underwriting analysis, preparing and issuing indications/quotations/binders, and marketing.

Additionally, the candidate must have an executive presence, demonstrating success in communicating, influencing, and building solid relationships that add value to the AXIS business book and contribute to longer-term strategic initiatives.

Work Profile

This role is ideal for individuals based in the Chicago Metro Area looking for a combination of remote, in-office, and face-to-face meetings with internal partners and clients. The job requires three days a week in the office (Willis Tower Chicago) except while traveling to attend sales, industry, and company events.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Underwrite a profitable book of complex surplus lines and Excess Casualty risks employing the appropriate analytical diagnostics to assess acceptability.

• Expertise in analyzing General Liability, Auto Liability, Professional liability risk, and pricing adequacy

• Ability to negotiate terms and conditions in a highly complex and competitive environment with a broad range of wholesale brokers and facultative reinsurance markets

• Advanced analytical and creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks

• Underwriting and developing a profitable book of business in support of strategic business plans while retaining a diversified mix of business to achieve overall growth and profit objectives

• Developing a countrywide marketing strategy that recognizes the risk appetite of the Excess unit and the wholesale brokers that produce desirable accounts to meet new business goals.

• Support changes to long-term and short-term business strategies with the ability to adjust to effectively achieve profitability goals.

• Make recommendations to SVP regarding market strategy, product development, and departmental efficiencies.

• Ability to manuscript specialized policy and endorsement language for highly complex lead excess and mid-to-high-attaching excess liability

• Stay up-to-date on national, state, and regional issues/regulations, industry activity, and trends

• Mentor less experienced staff and assist in the development of ongoing underwriting training.

• Responsible for special underwriting projects and presentations as requested by SVP

Required Education/Training & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required. CPCU, ARM, and ASLI designations are a plus

• A minimum of eight years of E&S Excess, or complex casualty, underwriting experience

• Direct background with lead excess and mid-to-high-attaching excess liability or Facultative reinsurance

• Strong negotiation and business development abilities. Established wholesale broker relationships are highly desired

• Advanced technical expertise, underwriting skills, and a high level of knowledge of insurance and underwriting principles, practices, and procedures

• In-depth knowledge of the Excess Casualty lines of business and legal and regulatory guidelines, including demonstrated technical knowledge and skills reflective of a progression of positions with increasing responsibility

Other desired skills and characteristics:

• Strong communication, negotiation, influencing, and presentation skills

• Ability to effectively interact with all levels of internal and external business partners

• Strong wholesale broker relationships

• Ability to effectively analyze and assess risk and develop creative solutions

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, and other business-related software

Salary Range:

For this position, we currently expect to offer a base salary in the range of $145K to $240K. The specific salary offer will be based on an assessment of a variety of factors, including the experience of the successful candidate and their work location.

In addition, all employees are eligible for competitive incentive targets, with awards based on overall corporate and individual performance. On top of this, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for employees and their families, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, and much more.