Senior Underwriter, Excess Casualty - Central

Ascot Group • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is an opportunity to join Ascot Group, a leading specialty risk underwriting organization. Ascot operates through interconnected global platforms with a mission to provide financial security and deliver bespoke products and world-class service. The company is committed to embedding artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to enhance decision-making and efficiency. This role is within the expanding Excess Casualty Business Unit, specifically supporting the National Accounts team for an assigned region. The Senior Underwriter will be responsible for generating new business, managing a portfolio of renewable business, analyzing data, evaluating liabilities, and building relationships with brokers and clients.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• At least three years of underwriting experience in the property and casualty insurance industry; Excess Casualty underwriting experience is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of Excess Casualty products, underwriting practices, and applicable insurance regulations; established retail broker relationships are preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex risks, interpret financial and loss information, and apply strong technical, analytical, quantitative, and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong negotiation, relationship-management, and influencing skills, with the ability to navigate challenging discussions with brokers, agents, clients, and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate underwriting decisions clearly and credibly.
• Highly organized and able to manage a portfolio, prioritize competing demands, meet deadlines, and work effectively with limited supervision.
• Collaborative, solution-oriented, and self-motivated, with the adaptability to succeed in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to work effectively with data, analytics, and AI-enabled underwriting tools.
• Ability to travel approximately 10–15%.

Nice To Haves

• Excess Casualty underwriting experience is strongly preferred.
• Established retail broker relationships are preferred.
• ASLI, CPCU, ARM, or another relevant professional designation is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Own the profitability, growth, and retention of an assigned Excess Casualty portfolio by executing disciplined risk selection and underwriting strategies aligned with the business unit’s objectives.
• Evaluate, structure, price, negotiate, and bind complex accounts, balancing customer needs with risk appetite and long-term profitability.
• Monitor premium, exposure, loss activity, expenses, and claims trends at the account and portfolio levels; take timely corrective action when performance falls outside expectations.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within delegated underwriting authority and promptly refer risks that fall outside established guidelines or authority.
• Build collaborative relationships with underwriting peers, leaders, and cross-functional partners to identify cross-selling opportunities, support product development, and improve operational effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain strong broker and client relationships, effectively communicating Ascot’s value proposition and generating profitable new business opportunities.
• Apply underwriting guidelines consistently and uphold underwriting integrity, prioritizing sustainable profitability over top-line growth.
• Provide practical, constructive feedback to regional and home-office leadership to improve processes, increase efficiency, and enhance the broker and client experience.
• Use internal and third-party data, analytics, and AI-enabled tools to strengthen risk assessment, improve underwriting productivity, and support informed decision-making.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Demonstrate The Ascot Way in daily interactions by fostering collaboration, inclusion, colleague development, engagement, and individual accountability.

Benefits

• Medical (including prescription coverage)
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account
• Commuter Account
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• AD&D
• Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid holidays
• Annual Paid Time Off (includes paid state /local paid leave where required)
• Short-term Disability
• Long-term Disability
• Other leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, Adoption, Maternity, Military, Primary & Non-Primary Caregiver)
• Contributory Savings Plan (401k)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior