Product Manager, Underwriting (Contractor)

Ryan Specialty•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

RT Specialty, a division of Ryan Specialty, is a leading wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products and services. Our experienced brokers are specialized in property, casualty, professional lines, transportation and workers’ compensation, providing creative solutions to retail brokerage firms. We define ourselves through our superior execution on behalf of our clients, which has established us as a leader in the industry. Position Summary RT Connector, a division of Ryan Specialty, is seeking a Product Manager which will support our Wholesale division of the business. This role is pivotal in positioning RT Connector as the premier solution for digitalized insurance capacity in the U.S. wholesale market. This role will focus on building insurance capacity, product delivery, carrier stewardship, and strategic planning.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in wholesale brokerage, underwriting, product management, or a related commercial insurance role, with experience in the E&S market preferred.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university; applicable experience considered in lieu of a degree.
Strong understanding of commercial insurance products, underwriting processes, carrier partnerships, and insurance distribution models.
Familiarity with small commercial and E&S insurance market trends, competitor analysis, and market research initiatives.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and full Office Suite with the ability to analyze data and present insights to stakeholders.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and external partners.

Nice To Haves

CPCU, ACSR, AU, ARM, or other relevant insurance industry certifications.
Experience supporting insurance product development, carrier relationships, underwriting governance, or product performance monitoring.
Experience using KPIs, profitability metrics, and business data to support product recommendations and decision-making.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Demonstrated commitment to continuing education and active participation in industry events, conferences, or professional associations.

Responsibilities

Insurance Product Development: Support the development and execution of product initiatives by identifying carrier capacity opportunities, including target class codes, geographies, and coverage segments.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders and carrier partners to gather requirements, document business needs, and support product enhancements through the full development lifecycle from concept to release.
Assist in evaluating product performance, identifying enhancement opportunities, and recommending improvements to better serve customers and carrier partners.
Partner with cross-functional teams to support successful product launches and ongoing product optimization efforts.
Carrier Management: Support underwriting guideline management and product governance processes in partnership with carrier stakeholders and internal teams.
Coordinate with Compliance, PMO, Actuarial, Operations, and Technology teams to facilitate product updates and ensure alignment across business objectives.
Maintain productive relationships with carrier partners and vendors to support product growth, operational efficiency, and service delivery.
Help monitor product performance, carrier feedback, and key operational metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Distribution & Enablement: Partner with Sales and Marketing teams to support platform adoption and market growth initiatives.
Assist in developing product materials, white papers, data sheets, training resources, and other sales enablement tools.
Help communicate product updates, value propositions, and market opportunities to internal and external stakeholders.
Support training efforts for distribution partners and internal teams on new products and platform capabilities.
Market Analysis & Product Planning: Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and industry developments to support product planning and roadmap discussions.
Conduct research and analysis to identify opportunities within the small commercial and E&S insurance marketplace.
Contribute recommendations that enhance the RT Connector platform and improve customer and carrier experiences.
Support the evaluation of business performance metrics and market data to inform product decisions and future enhancements.