Programs Underwriter - Fire Suppression

Position Summary Ryan Specialty's National Specialty Programs (NSP) is seeking a Fire Suppression Underwriter to support the underwriting and profitable growth of our Fire Suppression & Sprinkler Contractors Program. This role is responsible for evaluating, selecting, pricing, and managing commercial insurance risks within a specialized portfolio of fire protection contractors, sprinkler installation contractors, inspection and maintenance operations, alarm contractors, and related fire suppression service providers.

The Underwriter will partner closely with retail and wholesale brokers to deliver responsive service, technical underwriting expertise, and tailored insurance solutions while maintaining underwriting discipline and portfolio profitability. This individual will play an important role in driving new business production, retention, and long-term program success.

What will your job entail?

Underwriting & Risk Selection

• Underwrite new and renewal commercial property and casualty business in accordance with company underwriting guidelines, carrier authority, and program objectives.
• Analyze submissions, applications, loss runs, financial information, operational exposures, and supporting documentation to evaluate risk quality.
• Assess exposures specific to fire suppression contractors, sprinkler contractors, fire protection service providers, and related specialty contractor classes.
• Determine risk acceptability, pricing, policy terms, coverage structure, and conditions based on underwriting analysis and program guidelines.
• Review broker requests for coverage enhancements, endorsements, and exceptions while maintaining underwriting discipline.
• Identify loss drivers, risk characteristics, and emerging trends impacting portfolio performance.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting authority, carrier requirements, regulatory standards, and internal controls.

Portfolio Management

• Actively manage an assigned book of business to achieve premium growth, retention, profitability, and loss ratio objectives.
• Monitor production, hit ratios, renewal retention, and portfolio performance metrics.
• Identify opportunities to improve account profitability through appropriate risk selection, pricing, and coverage strategies.
• Support renewal strategy development and proactively address accounts exhibiting adverse loss trends or changing risk profiles.
• Assist in premium forecasting, business planning, and production reporting activities.

Broker & Market Relationships

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with retail and wholesale broker partners.
• Serve as a trusted underwriting resource and subject matter expert for fire suppression and specialty contractor risks.
• Collaborate with brokers to structure creative insurance solutions while balancing risk appetite and program objectives.
• Deliver exceptional responsiveness and service throughout the submission, quote, bind, and issuance process.
• Participate in broker meetings, marketing initiatives, industry events, and business development activities.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain accurate underwriting documentation and file integrity.
• Partner with operations, claims, actuarial, compliance, and leadership teams to support program performance.
• Contribute to underwriting guideline enhancements and process improvements.
• Stay informed on market conditions, competitive developments, emerging risks, and insurance industry trends.
• Support strategic initiatives designed to expand program capabilities and strengthen market position.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Risk Management, Insurance, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent industry experience will be considered.

Required Experience

• 5+ years of commercial P&C underwriting experience, with a strong preference for specialty contractor or construction-related business.
• Direct underwriting experience with fire suppression contractors, fire sprinkler contractors, fire alarm contractors, life safety contractors, or related fire protection classes strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating installation, service, inspection, testing, and maintenance exposures within the fire protection industry.
• Experience underwriting on behalf of an MGA, MGU, wholesale broker, E&S carrier, or specialty commercial carrier preferred.
• Proven track record of managing broker relationships, growing a profitable portfolio, and achieving production and profitability goals.
• Familiarity with coverage forms, claims trends, contractual risk transfer, and loss drivers impacting fire protection and specialty contractor accounts.

Licenses & Certifications

• State Property & Casualty license and/or Surplus Lines license, where required.
• CPCU, ARM, AU, CRIS, or other insurance designations preferred.

Ryan Specialty is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse workforce throughout the organization. Our vision is an inclusive and equitable workplace where all employees are valued for and evaluated on their performance and contributions. Differences in race, creed, color, religious beliefs, physical or mental capabilities, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and many other characteristics bring together varied perspectives and add value to the service we provide our clients, trading partners, and communities. This policy extends to all aspects of our employment practices, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, discipline, firing, promoting, transferring, compensation, benefits, training, leaves of absence, and other terms, conditions, and benefits of employment.

How We Support Our Teammates

Ryan Specialty seeks to offer our employees a comprehensive and best-in-class benefits package that helps them — and their family members — achieve their physical, financial, and emotional well-being goals. In addition to paid time off for company holidays, vacation, sick and personal days, Ryan offers paid parental leave, mental health services and more.

The target salary range for this position is $96,000.00 - $120,000.00 annually.

The wage range for this role considers many factors, such as training, transferable skills, work experience, licensure and certification, business needs, and market demands. The pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Full-time roles are eligible for bonuses and benefits. For additional information on Ryan Specialty Total Rewards, visit our website

We provide individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable law. Please contact us to request an accommodation at View email address on us.fitly.work

The above is intended to describe this job's general requirements. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.