Avp, Construction Underwriter

Gallagher is a global leader in insurance, risk management and consulting services. We help businesses grow, communities thrive, and people prosper. We live in a culture defined by, The Gallagher Way, our set of shared values and guiding tenets. A culture driven by our people, over 40,000 employees worldwide and serving in more than 150 countries to our clients with customized solutions that will protect them and fuel their futures.

As a senior member of the Excess Underwriting team reporting to our Chief Underwriting Officer, the AVP, Construction Underwriter will be driving the growth and development of the company's niche portfolio, owning the full underwriting process end-to-end including; managing the underwriting process for new clientele, overseeing compliance to binding authority framework and management reporting. The role will be responsible for underwriting strategy for these lines of business, which will include the development of underwriting guidelines, appetite development, pricing, wording review and development and product marketing. The role will also be responsible for the selection of markets to support a Lloyd’s Binder, open market options and domestic market options.

**How You Will Influence the Business**:

- Review and develop sound underwriting standards and manage underwriting process for the construction speciality lines of business
- Implement and manage strategic underwriting decisions
- Ensure underwriting results: Enhance overall profitability, growth and retention of business
- Participate/lead strategic businesses planning
- Drive underwriting strategy for the specialty lines of business based on sound analysis of financial trends, territorial needs and marketplace dynamics
- Working closely with the team, provide clarity to our Broker channel on underwriting risk appetite through in person visits and the development of sales and marketing materials
- Set appropriate pricing for all products and risk classes to ensure that Excess is meeting its stated strategy of underwriting to a profit across all product lines
- Set optimal product strategies to maximize cross selling opportunities
- Provide innovation leadership for new products and insurance services in specialty areas
- Manage, mentor and lead the development of the team focusing on the Underwriting, Product and Pricing, of the Specialty products in order to achieve goals and targets
- Work closely with the team to design solutions and products that meet the needs of our Brokers and create a unique value proposition for Excess
- Manage the Binder/Contract Renewal Process by creating renewal documents and the renewal presentation
- Ensure that the activities of underwriting are undertaken in strict compliance with our Syndicate and Domestic Market contractual obligations.
- Contribute to the general management team including participation in various key projects and initiatives outside of the direct core underwriting responsibilities
- Working in conjunction with the team to identify opportunities to improve processes and efficiency in Excess’ underwriting operations.

**What Makes You Successful**:

- Deep understanding of construction coverage
- Ability to audit, review, benchmark and rate coverage requirements in order to craft best in class solutions
- Strong desire to innovate around client experience
- Ability to build internal relationships with key stakeholders (Regional Presidents, Area Presidents, National Practice Leaders and Producers)
- Strong ability to collaborate with marketing, national sales, claims and other supporting teams
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Entrepreneurial, creative thinking and problem solving
- High level of customer service orientation
- Results and action orientation, self-motivation and client-focus
- Strong business communication skills both verbal and written
- Strong presentation skills both live and web-based
- Effective time management and organizational skills

**Education and Experience**:

- A minimum of 5 years of underwriting leadership experience
- 7+ years of commercial underwriting experience
- College or University Degree or commensurate experience required.
- Insurance Designations an asset (CAIB, CRM etc.) with a strong preference for the CIP.
- Positive attitude, enthusiasm and drive
- Strong written and oral presentation skills
- Competency MS office suite of software
- Strong, established market relationships
- Ability to manage change effectively
- Strong leadership and management skills

**Work Environment** - Hybrid (Agile) - We at Gallagher enjoy the benefits of working remotely while also collaborating and interacting with each other in the office.

**What We Can Offer You**:
Gallagher offers competitive salaries and bonus plans. We offer benefits, including; medical/dental, life & dependent life, AD & D, pension/group savings plan, employee stock purchase plan, educational expense reimbursement, employee assistance programs, and discounted gym me