Underwriting Manager

Venture Insurance Programs has been a pioneer in the underwriting, design, administration, and marketing of insurance programs to select niche industries. Since 1993, Venture has developed and maintained the blueprint for successful operations within the Program Administration space. At Venture, we focus on creating an environment where our employees can thrive, creating professional growth opportunities across all aspects of our business model. Job Summary Owns the underwriting discipline that drives the ultimate profitability of the Program. The Underwriting Manager is accountable for ensuring that every risk bound by the Program reflects sound risk selection, defensible pricing, and strict adherence to carrier underwriting guidelines and Venture's delegated authority — and for building an underwriting team capable of sustaining that standard. Provides leadership and day-to-day management of the Program's Underwriting Team, with mentorship, coaching, and structured development of Underwriters as a core responsibility rather than a secondary duty. Maintains strong relationships, alongside the CEO/CFO, with carriers and other external business partners, and works with the Operations Team to evaluate workflow and processes that support continuous improvement, strong underwriting practices, and a high level of service to the Program's clients. Underwriting Discipline & Program Integrity Sets and enforces the Program's standards for risk selection, pricing, and file documentation (in accordance with Venture Operational standards), ensuring every bound risk falls within carrier program guidelines and Venture's delegated underwriting authority — or is properly referred to the carrier before binding. Maintains referral discipline by ensuring risks outside guidelines, authority, or appetite are identified early and referred to the carrier with complete submissions that support timely carrier decisions. Requires thorough, objective underwriting documentation that supports the risk assessment performed, the pricing basis, and applicable guideline provisions, ensuring every file is audit ready. Leads or assists in internal underwriting file audits, communicates results to the Underwriting team, and Executive Management, and tracks corrective actions through closure. Guards against guideline drift by reinforcing consistent application of eligibility rules, coverage limits, exclusions, and pricing across all Underwriters and all accounts. Partners with the Claims Manager, CFO and Business Analytics to identify loss trends, frequency patterns, and large losses, and translate those findings into underwriting action plans — both account-specific and program-wide. Monitors rate adequacy, exposure mix, and pricing trends alongside Executive Management, and participate in the ongoing evaluation of underwriting guidelines, coverage forms, and pricing to keep the Program efficient, effective, and profitable. Responsible for in-depth review of all aspects of Underwriting and Compliance Audits in compliance with Venture's quality control processes. Provides day-to-day management of the Program's Underwriting Team, including performance management, appraisals, and compensation recommendations. Mentors each Underwriter through regular file review sessions, side-by-side coaching on complex or borderline risks, and documented development plans with clear technical milestones. Builds technical depth across the team through structured training on coverage forms, underwriting guidelines, risk assessment techniques, and carrier expectations, including a defined onboarding path for new Underwriters. Uses audit findings and claim outcomes as teaching tools — delivering feedback constructively, addressing both strong performance and shortfalls candidly, and converting recurring findings into team-wide training. Develops bench strength by creating a clear progression path from entry-level through senior Underwriter while identifying and developing future underwriting leaders. Supports the staffing plan with Executive Management, including new positions and the training and development of current staff in support of annual revenue growth and department needs. Models the professional standard expected of the team: responsiveness, objectivity, service-standard adherence, and thorough documentation. Program Operations & Growth Oversees the renewal process for the Program, ensuring team members schedule monthly pre-renewal meetings at least 90 days prior to expiration, hold monthly renewal meetings with carriers, track the renewal action plan in the current format, coordinate conditional notices when required, and meet all legal notice timeframes; keeps Executive Management informed of issues requiring attention. Proactively and strategically manages renewal retention, communicating the status of key and high-revenue renewals and engaging Program VPs and other Venture leaders as needed; responsible for achieving renewal rate and revenue goals. Oversees the new business pipeline once submissions are received, ensuring Underwriters exceed service standard goals and underwrite every opportunity within the provided guidelines; manages the assigned territory in a manner that supports achieving or exceeding production goals. Ensures Underwriters understand annual revenue projections and manages the team to achieve or exceed them — through superior underwriting practices, never at the expense of underwriting standards. Continually monitors workflow and workload via CRM dashboards and quarterly workload reports. Works closely with the Program's Production VP to align goals and targets with all opportunities. Manages day-to-day carrier matters to sustain a strong relationship and partnership between Venture and the Program's carriers while assisting the Carrier Relationship team to address larger Program obstacles or opportunities. Assists in enhancing current products and developing new products, working with carriers to align coverage forms and guidelines to product needs; supports enhanced and new products within the R&D pipeline, including staff training and communication of resulting changes. Acts as Subject Matter Expert for underwriting within Venture and the applicable Program and collaborates with other Venture leaders to ensure smooth and profitable operations across all departments. Other Functions Adheres to company policies, procedures and guidelines. Other duties, as assigned. Requirements College degree required. MBA or CPCU preferred. 10+ years of all-lines P&C underwriting experience exercising carrier-delegated authority, with a demonstrated record of disciplined risk selection and guideline adherence. 5+ years of management experience successfully leading staff from entry level through VP/middle management to achieve revenue and retention goals. Demonstrated track record of developing underwriting talent — coaching, mentoring, and advancing Underwriters' technical skills and careers. Ability to build strong, productive relationships at all levels of an organization, from entry level through senior leadership/ownership. Demonstrated ability to be a role model and team player and to effectively prioritize both self and team to deliver results. Excellent interpersonal, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail. Self-starter; flexible; able to multi-task and handle responsibilities with minimal supervision. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint required. Critical Soft Skills for Success A coach's mindset: very strong communication skills with the ability to put others at ease and productively address both strong performance and shortfalls. Ability to build strong relationships at all levels of the organization. Displays confidence without arrogance and develops trust through honesty, integrity, and delivering results. Holds the line on underwriting standards under production pressure while keeping the team motivated and engaged. Ability to operate both tactically and strategically. #J-18808-Ljbffr