Product Head Hazmat Transportation Program

Product Head Hazmat Transportation Program

The Product Head Hazmat Transportation Program is responsible for the overall underwriting strategy, profitability, operational performance, and growth of a nationally recognized Hazmat Trucking insurance program. This leader will align underwriting talent, carrier capital, distribution relationships, and operational resources to deliver sustainable underwriting results and profitable growth.

Reporting to executive leadership, the Product Head serves as the subject matter expert and strategic leader for the Hazmat product portfolio, ensuring alignment with carrier appetite, portfolio objectives, and business plans. The role provides leadership to a team of underwriters and support staff while serving as the primary liaison between brokers, carrier partners, operations, actuarial, compliance, and executive stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is a highly respected insurance professional with deep expertise in Hazmat Transportation, Commercial Auto, Environmental Risks, Wholesale Distribution, Program Business, and Non-Admitted/E&S insurance. This individual must be collaborative, strategic, and capable of building strong internal and external partnerships while fostering a culture of teamwork and cross-selling across the organization.

Location: Denver, CO or Chicago, IL preferred; Open to remote for the right candidate if located outside of these areas.

Drive Product Underwriting Strategy & Portfolio Performance

• Define and execute underwriting strategy for the Hazmat Transportation product in alignment with carrier appetite, premium goals, profitability targets, and growth objectives.
• Manage the performance and profitability of a large book of business within a specialized Hazmat program with an established reputation in the marketplace.
• Monitor portfolio metrics including premium growth, new business production, renewal retention, loss ratio, rate adequacy, geographic concentration, and overall portfolio health.
• Oversee underwriting authority standards, referrals, compliance requirements, and risk selection practices.
• Evaluate opportunities for product enhancements, geographic expansion, and program growth initiatives.
• Participate in product filings and regulatory initiatives that support future expansion strategies.
• Partner with actuarial and analytics resources to evaluate performance trends and pricing effectiveness.

Lead Underwriting Operations & Team Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and oversight to a team of approximately 11 Underwriters and 2 Customer Service Representatives.
• Manage day-to-day underwriting operations while promoting consistency, accountability, and underwriting excellence.
• Support complex underwriting decisions, account strategy, broker negotiations, and exception requests.
• Maintain a personal book of business, estimated at $3M-$5M in premium, while providing oversight for the broader portfolio.
• Attract, develop, mentor, and retain underwriting talent while building succession plans that support long-term business continuity.
• Establish a collaborative and high-performing culture focused on partnership, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Broker, Carrier & Distribution Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with wholesale brokers and selected retail distribution partners nationwide.
• Serve as a market-facing ambassador for the Hazmat Transportation Program.
• Collaborate with brokers to identify profitable opportunities and expand market presence.
• Partner with carrier partners and capital providers to ensure alignment on underwriting strategy, performance expectations, and growth objectives.
• Support distribution strategies, cross-selling opportunities, and business development efforts across multiple specialty programs.

Build Internal & External Partnerships

• Partner closely with actuarial, compliance, legal, operations, claims, marketing, and executive leadership teams.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key industry partners including TPAs, service providers, consultants, and data vendors.
• Collaborate with fellow Product Heads and Program Managers to identify opportunities for innovation, cross-selling, and operational efficiency.
• Share best practices and contribute to organizational initiatives that improve overall MGU performance.

Reporting, Analytics & Governance

• Serve as the primary source of truth for product performance reporting and portfolio analytics.
• Ensure integrity and accuracy of underwriting, financial, and operational data.
• Track production and performance trends on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis.
• Identify emerging issues and proactively implement corrective action plans.
• Deliver high-quality reporting to executive leadership, carrier partners, and key stakeholders.
• Support strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, and annual operating plans.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Risk Management, Insurance, Finance, or a related field.
• 15+ years of Property & Casualty underwriting experience.
• Significant underwriting experience within Hazmat Transportation and Commercial Auto insurance.
• Previous leadership experience managing underwriting teams.
• Experience managing specialty insurance programs, portfolios, or books of business.
• Strong wholesale broker distribution experience.
• Proven track record managing underwriting profitability, growth strategies, and portfolio performance.
• Experience developing underwriting guidelines, authority structures, and referral processes.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance and underwriting governance.
• Excellent communication, relationship management, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple departments and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Non-Admitted / Excess & Surplus (E&S) Commercial Auto experience.
• Environmental insurance underwriting experience.
• Experience supporting product filings, program expansion, or product development initiatives.
• Existing relationships within the transportation, trucking, environmental, or wholesale brokerage marketplace.
• Experience managing specialty transportation programs with national distribution.
• Master's degree in Business, Risk Management, or related field.

Licenses & Certifications

• Active Property & Casualty License preferred.
• Candidates without an active license may be considered if able to obtain licensing within 45-60 days.
• Surplus Lines License preferred.
• CPCU, ARM, AU, AU-M, CIC, or other industry designations highly desirable.

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.