AVP/VP Underwriting Builders Risk

Howden•Colorado Springs, CO

77d•$140,000 - $200,000

About The Position

DUAL North America is seeking an AVP/VP Underwriter for its Builders Risk division. This leadership role defines underwriting strategy, builds broker relationships, and owns profitable portfolio growth. The position serves as a subject matter expert in wood-frame builders risk project evaluation and underwriting, manages a team of 1–5 employees through the employee lifecycle, and oversees strategy for large, complex projects. The role leads underwriters within the Builders Risk division and works with the division president and other team leads to manage underwriting direction for the national construction portfolio. Responsibilities include training and overseeing junior underwriters, reviewing referrals, and providing executive oversight of broker relationships, profitability targets, and cross-functional alignment with product, claims, and actuarial teams. The position has underwriting authority as outlined in the applicable Letter of Authority (LOA).

Requirements

5–12 years of relevant underwriting experience.
In-depth understanding of technical underwriting principles and risk assessment.
Strong analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
Proven ability to manage and build broker and client relationships.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Demonstrated ability to handle complex risks with sound judgment.
A naturally inquisitive mindset and strong desire to understand processes, solve problems, and improve outcomes.
High self-motivation and strong attention to detail.
Ability to remain stationary approximately 50% of the time, with occasional movement throughout the office to access files and equipment.
Ability to travel up to 30% or more for client meetings, conferences, or industry events.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in risk management, psychology, criminal justice, mathematics, finance, business, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage and grow a portfolio of projects by evaluating risks and maximizing carrier capacity within carrier agreements and underwriting guidelines.
Train Associate Underwriters and Underwriters and support their career development.
Manage a small to mid-sized team, including performance evaluations, hiring and recruiting, and termination decisions.
Set team production goals aligned with division goals and drive their execution hands-on.
Review referrals from team members.
Curate a portfolio in accordance with underwriting guidelines and prescribed pricing tools; provide input on governance and underwriting guidelines as appropriate.
Own division-level projects or initiatives beyond the direct area of expertise to gain knowledge of broader organizational operations.
May manage a small team’s or part of the division’s budget, including staffing and travel and entertainment costs.
Build working knowledge of capacity and relationships with capacity providers.
Act as a subject matter expert for the business area with peers, leadership, and the team.
Apply advanced technical underwriting principles and evaluate nuanced wood-frame and renovation risks, capacity limits, and pricing cycles.
Meet annual new-business goals by achieving agreed premium income and quote numbers with desired hit ratios, and ensure the team also meets its goals.
Develop relationships with key producers to generate and place additional business.
Exercise underwriting authority as outlined in the LOA.