SVP, Chief Underwriting Officer

SVP, Chief Underwriting Officer

Join to apply for the SVP, Chief Underwriting Officer role at Vela Insurance Services (a Berkley Company).

Vela Insurance Services provides specialized Excess and Surplus Lines Casualty and Professional Liability insurance solutions in the following market segments:
Construction, Specialty Casualty, and Professional Liability. We offer national service and local knowledge to our exclusive wholesale broker network and the businesses they serve.

The company is an equal opportunity employer.

• Senior Vice President & Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) is an executive leader responsible for driving underwriting excellence, portfolio performance, and strategic growth at Vela Insurance Services.
• Report to the President and lead a unified underwriting strategy across all segments, ensuring profitable growth through a "One Underwriting" mindset.
• Oversee redesign of the CUO role to foster stronger collaboration with MSEs, foster a sales‑driven culture, and align underwriting operations with emerging opportunities in technology, data analytics, and market diversification.
• Champion a future‑focused vision, enhancing leadership capabilities, talent retention, and broker relationships to build a defensible sales flywheel and promote sustainable profitability.

• Four (4)‑year College Degree, or commensurate experience and training.
• Industry designations preferred: CPCU, ASLI, ARM.
• Minimum of 15+ years commercial lines underwriting experience, with a strong foundation in portfolio analytics.
• Strong sales acumen and drive – Demonstrated success in building and sustaining a sales‑driven culture.
• Demonstrated success in product development, innovation, and launching new products.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in underwriting.
• Experience in and understanding of the competitive E&S marketplace is a significant advantage.

• Eligible to participate in annual discretionary bonus.
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Wellness, Paid Time Off, 401(k) and Profit‑Sharing plans.

Sponsorship not offered for this role.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting firms.