Chief Underwriting Officer – Construction Program

Job Summary

Seeking an experienced and highly skilled Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) to lead the underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, and carrier/reinsurance relationships for a growing construction-focused MGA/MGU. This is a unique opportunity to join an organization at an early stage and play a pivotal role in building a best-in-class construction underwriting platform. The ideal candidate will bring extensive expertise in commercial construction underwriting, particularly in California construction risks, and possess a strong reputation within the reinsurance and underwriting community.

Compensation Package

• Base Salary: $200,000–$300,000 (commensurate with experience and market profile)

Responsibilities

As the Chief Underwriting Officer, you will:

• Serve as the senior underwriting authority for the construction program.
• Develop and maintain underwriting guidelines, appetite, pricing philosophy, and risk selection standards.
• Underwrite and oversee California construction risks, including homebuilders, general contractors, primary general liability, excess liability, and construction-related casualty exposures.
• Build a disciplined and profitable portfolio while supporting strategic growth initiatives.
• Establish underwriting authority levels and referral protocols.
• Collaborate with the brokerage sister company to leverage market intelligence, distribution, and producer relationships.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with carriers, reinsurers, actuaries, and other key market partners.
• Represent the organization as a credible underwriting authority with reinsurers and capacity providers.
• Participate in the development and negotiation of reinsurance and capacity arrangements.
• Monitor portfolio performance, including loss ratios, severity trends, and overall profitability.
• Develop underwriting standards and processes to support organizational scaling.
• Mentor and build an underwriting team as the program grows.
• Partner with senior leadership on strategic growth initiatives and new product opportunities.
• Maintain a strong market presence and reputation within the construction insurance community.

Qualifications/Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• A minimum of 7+ years of commercial insurance underwriting experience, with preference for senior-level expertise.
• Deep knowledge of commercial construction insurance, particularly in California construction risks.
• Strong technical underwriting skills across primary general liability and excess liability.
• Experience underwriting risks related to homebuilders, general contractors, and construction-related exposures.
• A proven track record of profitable underwriting and disciplined risk selection.
• Established relationships and credibility with reinsurers, carriers, brokers, and wholesale distribution.
• A reputation as a technically sound and respected underwriter within the market.
• Experience developing or managing underwriting guidelines, appetite, authority, and portfolio strategy.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with the desire to build and grow a new underwriting platform.

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Chief Underwriting Officer

Job Summary

Seeking an experienced and visionary Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) to oversee all underwriting activities, develop robust underwriting strategies, and ensure profitability while managing risk. This executive leadership role requires proven expertise in underwriting across diverse portfolios, innovation, and the ability to cultivate a collaborative environment. The CUO will shape underwriting practices to align with long-term organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement underwriting policies, strategies, and standards to ensure profitability and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of underwriters, fostering a culture of collaboration and growth.
• Analyze data and market trends to inform strategic decision-making and adjust underwriting guidelines as necessary.
• Collaborate with the executive team to design and execute business strategies that align with organizational objectives.
• Assess underwriting performance and manage risk exposures to optimize portfolio quality and profitability.
• Establish and continuously improve operational processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including brokers, reinsurers, and regulators.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, financial, and ethical standards.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, insurance, or a related field; an advanced degree or relevant professional certification (e.g., CPCU, ARM) is highly preferred.
• Extensive experience in underwriting leadership roles, with a track record of managing diverse teams and portfolios.
• Demonstrated expertise in risk assessment, reinsurance structures, and profitability management.
• Outstanding analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills, with an ability to cultivate collaboration.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust with various stakeholders.
• Proficiency in leveraging technology and data analytics to refine underwriting practices and inform strategy.
• Deep knowledge of regulatory and compliance frameworks within the insurance industry.

Disclaimer: Please note that this job description may not cover all duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the role, and it is subject to modification at the employer's discretion.