SVP, Construction Segment Executive

SVP, Construction Segment Executive

Vela Insurance Services (a Berkley Company)

We are looking for an experienced leader to drive profitable growth in our national construction underwriting segment.

Vela Insurance Services provides specialized excess and surplus lines casualty and professional liability insurance solutions in 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 Senior Vice President, Construction Segment Leader leads Vela’s national construction underwriting segment and drives profitable growth through strategic leadership, innovation, and collaboration. Reporting to the Chief Underwriting Officer, the role oversees underwriting performance, talent development, and broker relationships within the construction segment. The SVP champions a sales‑driven culture, leverages data and analytics for decision‑making, and ensures alignment with Vela’s strategic vision.

• Lead Segment Strategy & Performance: develop and execute underwriting strategies to achieve premium, rate, and profitability goals.
• Drive Sales‑Oriented Culture: foster a unified approach between underwriting and distribution, ensuring strong broker partnerships and market competitiveness.
• Portfolio Management: monitor and manage risk diversity, underwriting guidelines, and profitability metrics; apply analytics to optimize portfolio performance.
• Product Development & Innovation: oversee policy forms, product offerings, and leverage technology and data analytics to enhance underwriting capabilities.
• Talent Leadership: recruit, train, coach, and develop underwriters and regional leaders; manage letters of authority and career progression programs.
• Budget & Expense Oversight: prepare strategic business plans and manage expense budgets for the segment.
• Cross‑Functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  partner with CUO, Distribution Strategies Group, and other functional teams to align segment initiatives with enterprise goals.
• Broker Relationship Management: strengthen broker engagement through targeted strategies, incentive programs, and participation in industry events.
• Compliance & Governance: ensure adherence to underwriting standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies.

• Four‑year college degree or equivalent experience and training.
• Preferred industry designations: CPCU, ASLI, ARM.
• Minimum of 15+ years’ commercial lines underwriting experience.
• Experience managing a team.
• Experience in and understanding of the E&S competitive marketplace.
• Demonstrated technical expertise and product knowledge in construction.
• A drive to be creative and innovative in advancing the success of the segment.
• Willingness to challenge the status quo and embrace change.
• A strong desire to compete and win.
• A team‑player approach.
• Strong communication skills.
• Advanced analytical and creative problem‑solving skills.

Sponsorship not offered for this role.

Seniority level:
Executive

Employment type:

Full‑time

Job function:
Management and Manufacturing

Industry: Financial Services and Insurance