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Senior Underwriter, Marine

Ryan Specialty


Job Location:

Houston, MS - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 104000 - 130000
Posted: 4 September 2026 (10 days ago)
Application Deadline: 11 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Position Summary

The Senior Underwriter is responsible for the profitable growth underwriting and brokerage/distribution management of a portfolio of complex commercial marine and specialty insurance accounts. This role evaluates new and renewal business develops underwriting strategies markets and negotiates placements with carriers on behalf of brokerage clients manages broker and carrier relationships and provides technical guidance to underwriting and brokerage staff. The Senior Underwriter exercises broad underwriting authority and sound judgment in risk selection pricing coverage design and portfolio management while also driving new business production through direct market relationships to support the achievement of divisional growth and profitability objectives.

What will your job entail

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Underwriting & Portfolio Management

  • Underwrite and manage a portfolio of new and renewal commercial marine and specialty insurance accounts within established underwriting authority.

  • Evaluate complex risks including financial operational contractual and loss exposure information to determine acceptability and pricing.

  • Analyze submissions loss experience exposure data surveys valuations and other underwriting information to make informed underwriting decisions.

  • Develop coverage structures pricing strategies terms conditions and underwriting recommendations consistent with company guidelines and profitability objectives.

  • Monitor account profitability and portfolio performance identifying trends and implementing corrective actions as needed.

  • Issue quotations indications binders endorsements and policy documentation while ensuring accuracy and compliance with underwriting guidelines.

  • Manage renewal strategies and proactively identify growth opportunities within existing accounts.

  • Review and approve underwriting documentation referrals and transactions within delegated authority levels.

  • Support facility management bordereaux reporting carrier reporting requirements and portfolio analytics as applicable.

Brokerage & Distribution

  • Market and negotiate placements pricing coverage and terms directly with brokers agents carriers and insureds to secure the best available outcome for the account.

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with producers brokers agents carrier partners and key clients to support new business production and retention.

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for agents and brokers on market appetite submission strategy and placement status across the portfolio.

  • Identify and cultivate carrier/market relationships to expand distribution options and improve terms available to brokerage clients.

  • Represent the company at industry events conferences broker meetings and client functions to strengthen market presence and relationships.

Leadership & Collaboration

  • Provide technical guidance training and mentorship to Underwriters Underwriting Associates and other team members across both underwriting and brokerage functions.

  • Collaborate with claims compliance operations accounting and distribution teams to ensure effective account management and service delivery.

  • Assist with the development and implementation of underwriting guidelines procedures and best practices.

  • Participate in strategic initiatives product development process improvements and business planning activities.

Qualifications

  • Bachelors degree preferred or equivalent insurance industry experience.

  • Minimum of 5-8 years of commercial underwriting brokerage or related insurance experience.

  • Demonstrated experience underwriting and/or brokering complex marine transportation energy specialty or commercial casualty risks.

  • Proven ability to manage broker and carrier relationships and independently drive profitable business growth through both underwriting authority and market negotiation.

  • Strong understanding of policy forms coverage analysis risk assessment and underwriting principles.

  • Excellent negotiation communication and relationship management skills with comfort operating on both the underwriting and distribution sides of a transaction.

  • Strong analytical organizational and decision-making abilities.

  • Proficiency in underwriting systems policy administration systems Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Commercial marine underwriting or brokerage experience including Hull & Machinery Protection & Indemnity Marine General Liability MEL Excess Liability Inland Marine or Transportation risks.

  • Existing broker and carrier relationships within marine energy transportation or specialty insurance markets.

  • CPCU ARM AU AMIM or other industry designations.

  • Experience managing delegated authority programs facilities MGAs or Lloyds business.

  • Prior experience mentoring or leading underwriting and/or brokerage staff.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

  • Advanced knowledge of commercial insurance principles underwriting practices and coverage analysis.

  • Strong understanding of marine and specialty insurance exposures and market conditions.

  • Ability to independently evaluate structure negotiate and place complex insurance transactions across both underwriting and brokerage channels.

  • Excellent portfolio management and profitability analysis skills.

  • Strong producer carrier and market relationship management and business development capabilities.

  • Ability to make sound underwriting decisions under broad authority levels.

  • Strong leadership coaching and mentoring skills.

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

  • Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

  • Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities.

Career Path

This position serves as a senior technical and production-focused underwriting and brokerage role with opportunities to advance into Underwriting Manager Regional Underwriting Manager Vice President or other leadership positions through demonstrated underwriting expertise portfolio performance business development success and leadership contributions.

Position Summary (for Workday Posting)

The Senior Underwriter is responsible for underwriting brokering and managing a portfolio of complex commercial marine and specialty insurance risks while driving profitable growth and maintaining strong broker and carrier relationships. This role exercises broad underwriting authority develops underwriting strategies for new and renewal business negotiates terms and pricing directly with markets and brokers and serves as a technical resource and mentor to underwriting and brokerage staff. The successful candidate will possess strong underwriting expertise relationship management and market negotiation skills and the ability to balance production goals with disciplined risk selection.

Ryan Specialty is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse workforce throughout the vision is an inclusive and equitable workplace where all employees are valued for and evaluated on their performance and contributions. Differences in race creed color religious beliefs physical or mental capabilities gender identity or expressionsexual orientation and many other characteristics bring together varied perspectives and add value to the service we provide our clients trading partnersand policy extends to all aspects of our employment practices including but not limited to recruiting hiring discipline firing promoting transferring compensation benefits training leaves of absence and other terms conditions and benefits of employment.

How We Support Our Teammates

Ryan Specialty seeks to offer our employees a comprehensive and best-in-class benefits package that helps them and their family members achieve their physical financial and emotional well-being addition to paid time off for company holidays vacation sick and personal days Ryan offers paid parental leave mental health services and more.

The target salary range for this position is $104000.00 - $130000.00 annually.

The wage range for this role considers many factors such as training transferable skills work experience licensure and certification business needs and market demands. The pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Full-time roles are eligible for bonuses and benefits. For additional information on Ryan Specialty Total Rewards visit our website provide individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process to perform essential job functions and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable law. Please contact us to request an accommodation at

The above is intended to describe this jobs general requirements. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts managements right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.


Required Experience:

Senior IC


About Company

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Ryan Specialty is an international specialty insurance firm that provides innovative solutions for brokers, agents and insurance carriers.

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