Berkley Luxury Group is an operating unit of W.R. Berkley Corporation, one of America’s largest commercial lines writers in the United states. At Berkley Luxury Group we offer tailored, all-inclusive insurance solutions for luxury condo, co-op, rental properties and fine dining restaurants.

 

Berkley Luxury Group has been a mainstay in the commercial real estate and hospitality business since 1986. We specialize in luxury condominiums, cooperatives, and apartments in the habitational space, Class A Office buildings and fine dining restaurants in the hospitality space. BLG maintains a standard of prompt and fair settlement of claims, and endeavors to treat insureds and brokers in a partnership-like manner.

 

BLG has developed a strategic plan to grow their success by expanding their footprint geographically and adding complementary products. At BLG there is a shared vision to be the best option for its customers. We aim to provide comprehensive insurance solutions, use enhanced data and technology to make more informed decisions and rely on a field-based underwriting, claims and loss control model to be closer to our customers and brokers. Our goal is to provide superior services and products to these unique businesses.

 

At Berkley Luxury Group, our employees are our most important asset.  We recognize that if we properly support and develop our employees, they will become our primary sustainable competitive advantage and the key to achieving success. As such, we have created a high performing culture incorporating our values into work practices, policies, and processes to foster, reinforce and sustain an environment where employees share a strong sense of purpose, commitment, and motivation to meet and exceed their goals.

 

As a Berkley company, we enjoy operational flexibility that allows us to deliver quality coverage solutions.  W. R. Berkley Corporation, and all member insurance companies, are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and carry Standard & Poor’s Financial Rating of A+ (Strong).

 

The company is an equal opportunity employer.

It is an exciting time to join Berkley Luxury Group as the Senior Production Underwriter representing our new Excess and Surplus capabilities for both Excess Property placements as well as Package Lines E&S.  This is a key member of the underwriting team reporting to the Vice President of Underwriting. We are launching E&S capabilities early in 2025 and the primary goal of this position is to profitably grow a book of business by actively partnering with brokers and working effectively with colleagues throughout the organization.

 

This role can be located on a hybrid schedule in New York City (close to Grand Central Station) or in our Rutherford NJ headquarters.  

 

There are two primary responsibilities for this role.

 

• Excess Property: Lead our launch of this new product into the market by developing relationships with a limited number of distribution partners and soliciting new business opportunities in the U.S.  Partner with internal BLG team members & our sister operating units in the U.K to develop a compelling solution and drive optimal outcomes while operating with limited underwriting authority.
• E&S Package: With full underwriting authority, lead our launch of this new capability into the U.S. domestic market by providing an E&S Solution to Habitational Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate and Restaurant risk exposures for our contracted agency distribution channel.

 

Inforce Portfolio Management and Underwriting Execution.

 

• E&S Package Lines: Responsible for new and renewal underwriting execution, including selecting risks in line with BLG’s strategy and underwriting guidelines, operating within authority and documentation guidelines, following up on accounts and closing new business.
• Excess Property: Responsible for developing new agency relationships, identifying, and prequalifying new opportunities and collaborating with BLG and overseas staff members to provide a compelling solution growing the portfolio of business over $50M in Direct Written Premium within three years.
• Planning and budgeting for the book of business, tracking and reporting performance to plan, and developing a clear view of market conditions and competitive landscape.
• Monitors production, hit ratios, renewal retention ratios, spread of risk and other production and quality measures.
• Keeps current on state/territory issues, regulations, and trends.

 

Broker Relationships and Business Development.

 

• Actively develops and manages relationships with distribution partners through in person meetings and events.
• Accountable for tracking of progress and positioning BLG within an agency
• Evaluate the performance of assigned agencies on an ongoing basis to ensure company and agency goals are met.  Participates in review and evaluation of agencies and makes recommendations on agency management issues.  Communicates corporate goals, programs, underwriting policies, procedures, best practices, and guidelines to agents.
• Prepares quotes and answers questions from agencies, policyholders or other external contacts and escalates issues as necessary.  Negotiates with agents to reach positive and profitable outcomes.
• Deliver exceptional, timely, complete and accurate service.
• Notify brokers of adverse underwriting decisions, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status and declinations.

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• Minimum of 5 years underwriting experience, including Excess & Surplus.
• Demonstrated technical underwriting expertise and product specific knowledge.
• Prior marketing experience and existing relationships with large retail agents a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in addition to strong interpersonal, communication & negotiation skills
• Solid knowledge of underwriting and insurance industry theories and practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively interact with all levels of internal and external business partners.
• Ability to multi-task and to independently prioritize competing demands/requests within given time constraints.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and effectively make sound business decisions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent job-related experience

We do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies.

The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees.

The salary range for this position is $95,000 - $166,000.

The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.