Technical Lead, Inland Marine

Shepherd • Fort Worth, TX

3d • $200,000 - $245,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This role serves as Shepherd's primary technical underwriting resource for Inland Marine. The Technical Lead will own the guidelines and advisories that underwriters use, lead the development of coverage forms, and review risks that exceed the underwriters' authority. This position will also collaborate with capacity partners to resolve technical questions and provide support to the underwriting team. Reporting to the Head of Property, the Technical Lead will help underwriters make sound decisions and document them clearly. Key responsibilities include account review, training, and utilizing portfolio results and Claims feedback to enhance underwriting practices.

Requirements

• 10+ years of Builders Risk, Inland Marine, or commercial construction underwriting experience, with meaningful authority on complex project-specific, Master Builders Risk, 100%, and quota share placements.
• Experience reviewing other underwriters' decisions as a referral point, technical authority, or underwriting manager.
• Strong command of Builders Risk forms, testing and mechanical breakdown, delay in completion, LEG3 / Cost of Making Good, structural work, waiting periods, periods of indemnity, Named Insured and Additional Insured distinctions, and how endorsements amend coverage.
• Experience developing or maintaining underwriting guidelines, advisories, authority statements, and audit programs.
• Experience drafting or revising coverage forms and endorsements and explaining technical requirements through training.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of technology platforms, jobsite sensors, or other tools used to reduce losses from common Inland Marine perils is a plus.
• Experience with insurtech or MGA platforms is a plus, along with an interest in helping build underwriting tools.

Responsibilities

• Review Inland Marine referrals involving TIV thresholds, catastrophe exposures such as wildfire and flood, structural or occupancy complexity, and other guideline triggers.
• Approve or decline referred risks within delegated authority and document the rationale, terms, conditions, and pricing guidance. Escalate decisions requiring approval from the Head of Property or a capacity partner.
• Review bound accounts before issuance to confirm completed form fields, coverage forms, limits, sublimits, and endorsements match the approved quote, binder, and documented approvals.
• Maintain a 24-hour turnaround standard on referrals and promptly communicate any missing information or required carrier approvals.
• Own the development, maintenance, and communication of Inland Marine underwriting guidelines and technical advisories. Gather input from relevant teams, coordinate required approvals, and ensure current versions are accessible to underwriters.
• Ensure guidance on pricing, deductibles, waiting periods, referral triggers, and authority parameters is consistent with approved appetite and carrier requirements.
• Oversee Inland Marine file audits with Compliance and other technical leads where standards overlap. Check documentation, pricing, and compliance, track corrective actions, and use recurring findings to improve guidance and training.
• Maintain individual underwriting authority statements and recommend changes to the Head of Property based on technical proficiency, audit results, and program requirements.
• Partner with Claims to incorporate loss trends and coverage issues into guidelines, forms, advisories, and training.
• Review portfolio trends with Actuarial, Data, and Claims, including loss experience, pricing, exposure concentrations, and recurring exceptions. Recommend underwriting changes to the Head of Property and follow through on approved actions.
• Act as the technical liaison between Inland Marine underwriters and existing capacity partners. Coordinate referrals, coverage questions, guideline interpretations, and required approvals.
• Support the Head of Property and capacity leadership with underwriting analyses, portfolio commentary, and technical materials for carrier and reinsurance discussions. Represent Shepherd's underwriting position on program performance, appetite, coverage wording, and program structure.
• Develop and deliver Inland Marine onboarding, ongoing technical training, and certification assessments. Cover forms, authority, and underwriting judgment through practical account examples and lessons from referrals, audits, and Claims.
• Coach underwriters on file handling, referral quality, and documentation. Standardize referral templates and technical reference materials with other technical leads, while allowing for differences across programs.
• Lead the technical development and revision of Inland Marine coverage forms and endorsements. Translate underwriting intent into clear wording and coordinate review and required approvals with Claims, Compliance, and capacity partners.
• Maintain with Compliance the approved forms library and guidance on form use and attachment requirements. Track competitor forms and assess coverage gaps and differences.
• Work with Product, Engineering, and Data Science to build approved underwriting requirements into the platform, including referral, audit, and compliance workflows and form selection rules. Ensure the implementation reflects the intended coverage and underwriting requirements.

Benefits

• Premium Healthcare (100% contribution to top-tier health, dental, and vision)
• Fertility benefits and family building support
• Unlimited PTO
• Daily lunches, dinners, and snacks
• Professional Development (Access to premium coaching, including leadership development)
• Competitive 401(k) Plan
• Dog-friendly office (SF office)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed