Sr. Commercial Lines Underwriter

Berkley • Little Rock, AR

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Berkley Southwest offers commercial property and casualty products and services through independent agents in Arizona, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The company maintains a strong local presence in each of its markets, keeping underwriting and support close to the customer. Union Standard is a member company of W. R. Berkley Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, whose insurance company subsidiaries are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best. The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

The Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter is responsible for underwriting new and renewal commercial property and casualty business, managing an assigned book of business, and partnering with agency stakeholders to drive profitable growth while adhering to company guidelines, delegated authority, and reinsurance parameters.

This role plays a critical part in evaluating and managing risk across a diverse portfolio of property and casualty accounts. The underwriter serves as a strategic partner to agency stakeholders, driving profitable growth through disciplined underwriting, market insight, and collaborative engagement.

In addition to core underwriting responsibilities, the position contributes to product development, supports staff training, and participates in cross-functional initiatives that enhance underwriting performance and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in insurance or a related field and/or a minimum of four years of commercial lines underwriting and marketing experience, or equivalent industry experience, preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop a profitable commercial lines book of business.
• Advanced analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to assess complex risks, synthesize relevant data, and make sound, evidence-based underwriting decisions.
• Proficiency in interpreting business publications, industry journals, technical documentation, and regulatory guidelines.
• Ability to draft clear and concise reports, business correspondence, and procedural documentation.
• Effective communication skills in individual and group settings, including responding to inquiries from internal stakeholders, agency partners, and external vendors.
• Strong quantitative skills, including the ability to calculate premiums, commissions, deductibles, and loss ratios.
• Professional and approachable interpersonal style that supports trust and collaboration.
• Collaboration and teamwork are essential to success in this position.
• Demonstrated alignment with WRBC Leadership Core Competencies and Innovation Behaviors, including excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Commitment to equal employment opportunity and a diverse, inclusive workplace culture.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite new business by evaluating applications, requesting supplemental information, and accepting or rejecting risks in accordance with company guidelines and reinsurance treaties.
• Underwrite renewal business by analyzing prior underwriting files, agency performance, loss history, risk control reports, motor vehicle records, and prior carrier experience.
• Maintain underwriting authority as delegated by underwriting leadership and ensure compliance with internal policies and treaty constraints.
• Collaborate with underwriting leadership to develop and refine products, pricing strategies, and coverage enhancements.
• Build and sustain productive, profitable relationships with agents and brokers to support business growth.
• Monitor and manage the assigned book of business to maintain target loss ratios and underwriting profitability.
• Meet established production goals while delivering timely and responsive service to agency partners.
• Evaluate assigned agency performance to ensure company and agency objectives are met, participate in agency reviews, and make recommendations regarding agency management matters.
• Travel within the assigned territory to conduct agency visits, prospect meetings, and market assessments.
• Participate in industry and company-sponsored continuing education to maintain technical proficiency.
• Assist with onboarding and training junior underwriting staff as directed.
• Collaborate with claims, risk control, actuarial, and product teams to support holistic risk evaluation.
• Identify and contribute to process improvements that enhance underwriting efficiency and governance.
• Support strategic initiatives through data analysis, market feedback, and underwriting insights.

What This Job Offers

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