Head of Underwriting Governance

What part will you play? If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it.

The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities, and you’ll find your fit amongst our global community of optimists and problem-solvers. We’re always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realize our potential, we can help others reach theirs. Join us and play your part in something special! The Head of Underwriting Governance is responsible for establishing and maintaining robust underwriting governance frameworks, policies, and controls across the organization. This role ensures underwriting practices are aligned with regulatory requirements, internal risk appetite and strategic business objectives across the US and Bermuda for all lines of business. The role will lead initiatives to enhance underwriting discipline, consistency, and accountability, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and compliance. This role also supports underwriting training and development role across Programs and Solutions and Wholesale & Specialty.

Job Description: Head of Underwriting Governance

Position Summary

The Head of Underwriting Governance is responsible for establishing and maintaining robust underwriting governance frameworks, policies, and controls across the organization. This role ensures underwriting practices are aligned with regulatory requirements, internal risk appetite and strategic business objectives across the US and Bermuda for all lines of business. The role will lead initiatives to enhance underwriting discipline, consistency, and accountability, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and compliance. This role also supports underwriting training and development role across Programs and Solutions and Wholesale & Specialty.

Key Responsibilities

Governance & Frameworks:

• Develop and implement underwriting governance frameworks, policies, and procedures across all lines of business including:
  • Delegated standards, approval and audit processes – including development of workflow tools to automate approval processes.
  • Manage the outputs of peer reviews and the annual audit assessments to determine actions required.
  • Assist the CUO, US & Bermuda, in developing technical underwriting guidelines, referral standards and other underwriting guidelines.

• Ensure alignment with regulatory standards, industry best practices, and internal risk appetite across all lines of business.
• Oversee underwriting authority limits and escalation protocols across all lines of business.
  • Manage the process for the granting, updating, and monitoring of underwriting authorities, coordinating with the CUO, US Wholesale & Specialty, and the Presidents within Programs & Solutions.

• Collaborate with CUO, US & Bermuda, on projects and ongoing initiatives that impact Markel Insurance across US/Bermuda and implement changes or lead projects as applicable.
• Work with the CUO, US Wholesale & Specialty, and Presidents within Programs & Solutions to develop quarterly commentary used by Senior Leadership for the earnings call for all lines of business.
• Manage Markel Insurance US/Bermuda compliance with local requirements in the US, London, Dublin & Bermuda.
• Maintain a central repository of CUO, US & Bermuda, underwriting guidelines to ensure consistency across the Insurance platform.

Risk and Compliance:

• Collaborate with Risk, Compliance, and Legal teams to ensure underwriting practices meet regulatory and internal standards across all lines of business.
• Collaborate with Product & Regulatory Services (PRS) to ensure compliance with  rate, form, and feature development to ensure adherence to state-specific and national regulatory requirements across all lines of business.
• Partner with Legal and Compliance teams to address emerging regulatory issues and audit findings across all lines of business.
• Monitor underwriting risk exposures and report on emerging risks and trends.
• Lead internal audits and reviews of underwriting practices and controls.
  • International and cross border responsibilities: responsible for compliance, reporting, business planning.
  • Liaise with internal stakeholders including Underwriting, Risk, Compliance, and Actuarial teams.
  • Represent the company in industry forums and regulatory discussions related to underwriting governance.
  • Serves as the primary point of contact with Markel International non-underwriting departments including Claims, Finance, Aggregate Management, Actuarial, Compliance, Credit Control, Risk Management, Data Quality, with regard to GIE operations.

Leadership & Strategy:
 

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to underwriting governance teams.
• Act as a key advisor to senior leadership on underwriting governance matters.
• Drive initiatives to improve underwriting quality, consistency, and operational efficiency

Training & Development:

• Responsible for managing the Training and Development Associate Director and partnering with Wholesale & Specialty and Programs &  Solutions on underwriting training and development programs including: Markel Masters, Markel Accelerate, the Markel Underwriter.
• Continue to develop new training programs for Wholesale & Specialty and Programs & Solutions as needed.
• Partner with other departments on delivering training across the underwriting organizations.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 10+ years of underwriting experience, with a strong technical and governance background.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or professional certifications preferred.
• Strong analytical, strategic, and communication skills.
• Experience with expense management and performance metrics.
   

US Work Authorization

US Work Authorization required. Markel does not provide visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future.

Pay information:

The base salary offered for the successful candidate will be based on compensable factors such as job-relevant education, job-relevant experience, training, licensure, demonstrated competencies, geographic location, and other factors. The salary for the position is $158,720 - $218,240 with a 55% bonus potential.