Vice President, Life Sciences Underwriting Manager

Berkley•Ewing Township, NJ

2d•$190 - $250

About The Position

This role, a key contributor within the Berkley Life Sciences organization, is responsible for developing and executing a strategic vision that enables the long-term profitable growth of all products within the organization. This role serves as a strategic connector between field underwriting teams, senior management, and external broker partners, ensuring alignment, consistency, and momentum across territories. This includes developing the annual operating plan objectives (top and bottom line) and long-term strategic plan along with a focus on tactical broker / producer development planning. Additionally, this position has direct management of other underwriting leaders as well as responsibility for the team and its results.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Minimum of 10 years of package lines including auto, property, workers compensation, umbrella and premises operations experience.
Minimum of 5 years previous management experience
Underwriting or field leadership experience. You have a proven track record of leading teams, making sound decisions, and driving results in underwriting or field management roles.
Strong commitment to employee development. You lead with intention and care, building trust through consistent coaching, open dialogue, and follow‑through. You invest time in mentoring others, recognize potential, encourage growth through feedback and stretch opportunities, and consistently develop talent that delivers results.
Strong sales acumen. You bring a confident, client-focused presence and a passion for winning business. You understand customer needs, build trust quickly, and consistently deliver results.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Your communication style is flexible to the situation. You communicate clearly and with a purpose.
Calm under pressure. You have excellent organizational skills, integrity, and great follow-through on tasks. You are comfortable challenging norms while collaborating with colleagues at all levels of the organization looking for innovative improvements.
You have a proven history of building and maintaining strong business relationships with insureds, agents & brokers.
A strong customer service bias. You want to get to yes. You are known for your super responsiveness. You can say no and preserve your relationships.
Ability to travel extensively (up to 50% of the time including overnight travel) and lead by example in the field.
Advanced proficiency with the Microsoft suite of products

Nice To Haves

Products liability claims made experience a plus.
Life Science experience a plus

Responsibilities

In strategic alliance with the SVP, Underwriting Officer
Coach, mentor and develop team by establishing clear goals and providing regular feedback as well as training and career development opportunities; empower UW leaders to assume responsibility for their functions within the team.
Provide leadership and direction to the team in order to meet the goals for new business, retention, rate and customer service. Act as a catalyst for field activity, encouraging travel and proactive business development.
Build team confidence through training, coaching, and field presence.
Distribution management and expansion. Identify, develop and grow a knowledgeable producer population with an appropriate split between retail and wholesale channels.
Responsible for results of the team; review results with the CUO; proactively offer suggestions to improve performance and/or remove obstacles as necessary.
Cycle management- devise strategies and protocols to grow profitably during all market cycles.
Support the team to build strong relationships with brokers to ensure you meet or exceed financial goals including growth, profit, retention, and new business. Manage senior-level relationships with key brokers.
Portfolio management to reflect an appropriate balance between segments and diversification of line of business
Stay current with all compliance, procedural and workflow changes.
Work collaboratively and effectively with underwriting associate, operations, legal, home office underwriting and claims. Maintain and evolve the structural framework implemented across the underwriting teams.
Engage in innovation initiatives, product launches, marketing campaigns and short-term projects as appropriate to contribute positively towards success of the overall team and company.