Underwriter - Security Guard Program

Fire Suppression Underwriter

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.

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.