E&S Business Development Underwriter

As an E&S Business Development Underwriter at Berkley Aspire, your primary responsibilities include managing your assigned territory to achieve profitable growth, underwriting new business and renewals, and maintaining agency relationships. You will actively educate agents, identify new business opportunities, and ensure that all underwriting decisions align with company guidelines while achieving sound risk and pricing results.

To qualify for the E&S Business Development Underwriter position at Berkley Aspire, candidates should possess over five years of commercial lines underwriting experience, preferably with surplus lines. Familiarity with working alongside independent agents and knowledge of computer programs in a Windows environment, as well as experience in a paperless setting with online underwriting tools, are also highly desirable.

Berkley Aspire fosters an entrepreneurial and employee-centric culture that is focused on sustainable growth. This creates an environment where E&S Business Development Underwriters can thrive, work flexibly—remotely or in a hybrid fashion—and receive comprehensive support for professional development and advancement opportunities.

The E&S Business Development Underwriter at Berkley Aspire should anticipate traveling within their designated territory, which includes Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, up to 50%. This travel is essential for building and maintaining strong relationships with independent agencies.

In the E&S Business Development Underwriter role at Berkley Aspire, you will utilize various underwriting tools to evaluate risk characteristics, set adequate property limits, and quote business to agents. Familiarity with online underwriting tools such as SAGE, Silver Plume, and Reference Connect will be beneficial in this position.

In response to this question, detail your relevant experience, emphasizing any specific projects or roles that showcase your knowledge and expertise in commercial lines underwriting. Make sure to mention your familiarity with excess and surplus lines and highlight how these experiences have equipped you to meet the expectations of the E&S Business Development Underwriter at Berkley Aspire.

Discuss your strategies for establishing and maintaining relationships in a remote setting, such as setting regular virtual check-ins, using collaboration tools, and being proactive in communication. Highlight your ability to adapt and connect effectively, reiterating that relationship-building is key to success in the underwriting role.

Prepare to share a specific instance where you faced a difficult underwriting decision. Describe the context, your decision-making process, and the eventual outcome, highlighting how you weighed risks versus potential rewards and maintained alignment with company goals.

Explain the methods you use to evaluate risk, including analyzing historical data, understanding industry trends, and utilizing underwriting tools. Emphasize your analytical skills and decisiveness when making risk-related judgments, as well as any experiences where you achieved positive outcomes.

Identify the essential elements that contribute to profitable growth, such as thorough market analysis, effective communication with agents, timely pricing adjustments, and risk assessment. Articulate why each factor is vital and how you can employ them in your role at Berkley Aspire.

Provide an example of your experience mentoring or training a colleague, highlighting your commitment to teamwork and professional development. Discuss how you tailored your approach to their needs and how that contributed to their growth and success within the underwriting field.

Discuss your proactive approach to staying informed about industry developments, such as attending webinars, participating in professional associations, and following relevant publications. Illustrate your commitment to continuous learning in order to enhance your effectiveness as an E&S Business Development Underwriter.

Express your thoughts on how technology can streamline underwriting processes, improve risk assessment accuracy, and enhance client interactions. Share examples of technology you've used in the past and your willingness to adapt to new tools as they emerge in the underwriting landscape.

Research and identify unique aspects of Berkley Aspire that differentiate it from competitors, such as ease of processes, agent relationships, or company culture. Articulating your understanding of the company's values and strengths will demonstrate your enthusiasm for joining their team.

Reflect on the aspects of underwriting that bring you satisfaction, whether it's problem-solving, client interactions, or contributing to overall business growth. Sharing your passion for the industry will help convey your genuine interest in the E&S Business Development Underwriter position at Berkley Aspire.