Underwriter I

Position Summary
The Senior Underwriter is responsible for the profitable growth, underwriting, and brokerage/distribution management of a portfolio of complex commercial marine and specialty insurance accounts. This role evaluates new and renewal business, develops underwriting strategies, markets and negotiates placements with carriers on behalf of brokerage clients, manages broker and carrier relationships, and provides technical guidance to underwriting and brokerage staff. The Senior Underwriter exercises broad underwriting authority and sound judgment in risk selection, pricing, coverage design, and portfolio management - while also driving new business production through direct market relationships - to support the achievement of divisional growth and profitability objectives.

What will your job entail?

Essential Duties and Responsibilities


Underwriting & Portfolio Management

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of new and renewal commercial marine and specialty insurance accounts within established underwriting authority.

• Evaluate complex risks, including financial, operational, contractual, and loss exposure information to determine acceptability and pricing.

• Analyze submissions, loss experience, exposure data, surveys, valuations, and other underwriting information to make informed underwriting decisions.

• Develop coverage structures, pricing strategies, terms, conditions, and underwriting recommendations consistent with company guidelines and profitability objectives.

• Monitor account profitability and portfolio performance, identifying trends and implementing corrective actions as needed.

• Issue quotations, indications, binders, endorsements, and policy documentation while ensuring accuracy and compliance with underwriting guidelines.

• Manage renewal strategies and proactively identify growth opportunities within existing accounts.

• Review and approve underwriting documentation, referrals, and transactions within delegated authority levels.

• Support facility management, bordereaux reporting, carrier reporting requirements, and portfolio analytics as applicable.

Brokerage & Distribution

• Market and negotiate placements, pricing, coverage, and terms directly with brokers, agents, carriers, and insureds to secure the best available outcome for the account.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with producers, brokers, agents, carrier partners, and key clients to support new business production and retention.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for agents and brokers on market appetite, submission strategy, and placement status across the portfolio.

• Identify and cultivate carrier/market relationships to expand distribution options and improve terms available to brokerage clients.

• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, broker meetings, and client functions to strengthen market presence and relationships.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide technical guidance, training, and mentorship to Underwriters, Underwriting Associates, and other team members across both underwriting and brokerage functions.

• Collaborate with claims, compliance, operations, accounting, and distribution teams to ensure effective account management and service delivery.

• Assist with the development and implementation of underwriting guidelines, procedures, and best practices.

• Participate in strategic initiatives, product development, process improvements, and business planning activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent insurance industry experience.

• Minimum of 5-8+ years of commercial underwriting, brokerage, or related insurance experience.

• Demonstrated experience underwriting and/or brokering complex marine, transportation, energy, specialty, or commercial casualty risks.

• Proven ability to manage broker and carrier relationships and independently drive profitable business growth through both underwriting authority and market negotiation.

• Strong understanding of policy forms, coverage analysis, risk assessment, and underwriting principles.

• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills, with comfort operating on both the underwriting and distribution sides of a transaction.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making abilities.

• Proficiency in underwriting systems, policy administration systems, Microsoft Office, and data analysis tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Commercial marine underwriting or brokerage experience, including Hull & Machinery, Protection & Indemnity, Marine General Liability, MEL, Excess Liability, Inland Marine, or Transportation risks.

• Existing broker and carrier relationships within marine, energy, transportation, or specialty insurance markets.

• CPCU, ARM, AU, AMIM, or other industry designations.

• Experience managing delegated authority programs, facilities, MGAs, or Lloyd's business.

• Prior experience mentoring or leading underwriting and/or brokerage staff.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of commercial insurance principles, underwriting practices, and coverage analysis.

• Strong understanding of marine and specialty insurance exposures and market conditions.

• Ability to independently evaluate, structure, negotiate, and place complex insurance transactions across both underwriting and brokerage channels.

• Excellent portfolio management and profitability analysis skills.

• Strong producer, carrier, and market relationship management and business development capabilities.

• Ability to make sound underwriting decisions under broad authority levels.

• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities.

Career Path


This position serves as a senior technical and production-focused underwriting and brokerage role with opportunities to advance into Underwriting Manager, Regional Underwriting Manager, Vice President, or other leadership positions through demonstrated underwriting expertise, portfolio performance, business development success, and leadership contributions.


Position Summary (for Workday Posting)


The Senior Underwriter is responsible for underwriting, brokering, and managing a portfolio of complex commercial marine and specialty insurance risks while driving profitable growth and maintaining strong broker and carrier relationships. This role exercises broad underwriting authority, develops underwriting strategies for new and renewal business, negotiates terms and pricing directly with markets and brokers, and serves as a technical resource and mentor to underwriting and brokerage staff. The successful candidate will possess strong underwriting expertise, relationship management and market negotiation skills, and the ability to balance production goals with disciplined risk selection.


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 $104,000.00 - $130,000.00 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 click.appcast.io


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.