Vice President, Life Sciences Underwriting Manager

Overview

Join to apply for the Vice President, Life Sciences Underwriting Manager role at Berkley Life Sciences (a Berkley Company).

W.R. Berkley Corporation is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The organization is committed to delivering high-quality insurance products and services to specialized markets worldwide. Berkley Life Sciences focuses on serving as a preferred market for the life science industry with sophisticated property & casualty products and services designed to meet customers’ individualized needs. The company emphasizes innovation, teamwork, and a strong field presence.

The company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

• Develop and execute a strategic vision for long-term profitable growth of all products within Berkley Life Sciences.
• Serve as a strategic connector between field underwriting teams, senior management, and external broker partners to ensure alignment and momentum across territories.
• Develop the annual operating plan objectives (top and bottom line) and the long-term strategic plan; focus on tactical broker/producer development planning.
• Direct management of underwriting leaders and accountability for the team’s results.
• Provide leadership to meet goals for new business, retention, rate, and customer service; act as a catalyst for field activity and business development.
• Coach, mentor, and develop the team; establish goals, provide feedback, and support training and career development.
• Manage distribution to grow a knowledgeable producer population with a balance between retail and wholesale channels.
• Review team results with the CUO and proactively address performance or obstacles.
• Devise strategies to grow profitably through market cycles and maintain business assignments with contingency plans for vacations.
• Build strong relationships with brokers to meet or exceed financial goals; manage senior-level broker relationships and represent Berkley Life Sciences externally to expand market presence.
• Oversee account solicitation, risk selection, analysis, pricing, and marketing of Berkley Life Sciences products for new and existing customers.
• Ensure portfolio diversity and alignment with underwriting guidelines and profitability models; stay current with compliance, procedures, and workflow changes.
• Collaborate with underwriting associates, operations, legal, home office underwriting, and claims; evolve the underwriting framework across teams.
• Contribute to innovation initiatives, product launches, marketing campaigns, and short-term projects to support team and company success.
• Strengthen team confidence through training, coaching, and field presence.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 10 years of underwriting experience including products, property, workers compensation and automobile
• Previous management experience
• Claims-made experience is a plus
• Life Science experience is a plus

• Customer focus and teamwork
• Delivers results
• Technical excellence and job proficiency
• Innovation and initiative

• Strong sales acumen with client-focused presence and a passion for winning business
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Underwriting or field leadership experience with a track record of leading teams and driving results
• Calm under pressure with strong organizational skills and integrity
• Accountability, relationship-building with insureds, agents, and brokers
• Strong customer service orientation and responsiveness
• Curiosity and willingness to learn and innovate
• Analytical mindset for pricing and coverage decisions
• Ability to travel extensively (up to 50%, including overnight travel)
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters. The company offers a competitive compensation plan and benefits for full-time employees, including base salary, annual discretionary bonus eligibility, and benefits (health, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, PTO, 401(k) and profit-sharing).

The actual salary will be determined by factors including scope, location, candidate qualifications, and experience.

• Executive

• Full-time

• Finance and Sales

• Financial Services and Insurance

We welcome referrals for this role.