Sr. Commercial Lines Underwriter

Company Details

Berkley Southwest offers commercial property and casualty products and services through independent agents in Arizona, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. We maintain a strong local presence in each of our markets, keeping underwriting and support close to the customer.

Now more than ever, financial strength is critical to a successful, long term insurance relationship. Berkley Southwest is a member company of W. R. Berkley Corporation
, a Fortune 500 company, whose insurance company subsidiaries are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best. #LI-AV1 #LI-HYBRID

Irving, TX

Little Rock, AR

San Antonio, TX

Phoenix, AZ

We offer a hybrid work schedule with 4 days in the office; and 1 day remote where it makes sense to do so. #LI-hybrid, #LI-LD1

The company is an equal opportunity employer.

As a Manager, Underwriting
, you’ll serve as a leader responsible for guiding and developing a team of underwriters to achieve business objectives within the assigned territory. This role is accountable for driving underwriting excellence, ensuring adherence to regulatory and company standards, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.

The Manager actively monitors portfolio performance, maintains strong agency relationships, and implements effective processes to optimize production, quality, and service outcomes. Through hands‑on leadership, talent development, and operational oversight, the Manager plays a critical role in supporting the company’s profitability, growth, and reputation in the marketplace.

What you can expect:

• Culture of innovation, teamwork, supportive colleagues, and leaders willing to invest in talent.
• Internal mobility opportunities.
• Visibility to senior leaders and partnership with cross functional teams.
• Opportunity to impact change.
• Benefits – competitive compensation, paid time off, comprehensive wellness benefits and programs, employer funded health savings account, profit sharing, 401k, paid parental leave, employee stock purchase plan, tuition assistance and professional continuing education.

We'll count on you to:

• Provide effective leadership and guidance to the underwriting team, fostering a culture of underwriting excellence, accountability, and continuous professional development.
• Oversee and conduct regular performance reviews, establish clear goals, and monitor production metrics to ensure underwriting quality and achievement of business objectives.
• Actively track and report on key performance indicators for the portfolio, including pipeline activity, quoting volume, new business generation, overall book composition, business mix, retention rates, loss performance, and rate attainment.
• Maintain a hands‑on approach to daily underwriting activities, ensuring all tasks are completed in compliance with regulatory requirements, production targets, quality standards, and service expectations.
• Develop individualized development plans for team members, supporting career growth and skill enhancement through coaching, mentoring, and targeted training initiatives.
• Lead talent management activities, including interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, and addressing employee concerns in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Cultivate and maintain strong agency relationships through regular travel within the assigned territory, representing the company with professionalism and integrity.
• Collaborate with the underwriting team to develop, document, and continuously improve standard operating procedures, identifying inefficiencies and implementing innovative solutions to optimize workflow and results.
• Design, deliver, and update training programs on underwriting topics and procedures to ensure team proficiency and compliance with evolving standards.
• Assume responsibility for the onboarding and comprehensive training of new hires within the underwriting function, ensuring a smooth transition and rapid integration into the team.
• Review and analyze management reports to verify achievement of production, quality, and service standards, implementing corrective…