Underwriting AVP – Excess & Umbrella

Be Here. Be Great. Working for a leader in the insurance industry means opportunity for you. Great American Insurance Group's member companies are subsidiaries of American Financial Group. We combine a "small company" culture where your ideas will be heard with "big company" expertise to help you succeed. With over 30 specialty and property and casualty operations, there are always opportunities here to learn and grow.

At Great American, we value and recognize the benefits derived when people with different backgrounds and experiences work together to achieve business results. Our goal is to create a workplace where all employees feel included, empowered, and enabled to perform at their best.

Great American’s Excess Liability Division provides large-limit liability solutions designed to protect clients’ corporate assets from catastrophic loss. The Division provides large limit capacity for both Lead Umbrella and Excess Liability placements, serving a diverse portfolio of industries and businesses.  earn more:  https://www.greatamericaninsurancegroup.com/about-us/business-operations/division/excess-liability

We are seeking an Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Underwriting for our South-Central Excess Liability team in Dallas, TX. This role combines hands-on underwriting with the potential for future leadership responsibility and strategic market oversight. The individual will maintain their own book of business while building and eventually managing an underwriting team.

The position focuses on underwriting Lead Umbrella and Excess Liability accounts across manufacturing, contracting, retail services, and distribution. The role supports a nationwide producer base and targets Middle Market through National commercial accounts, balancing disciplined underwriting practices with production, relationship management, and territory development.

Great American’s culture is built on connection, shared learning, and strong relationships. To support this, employees in this role are expected to be on-site four days a week, with the flexibility to work one day remotely. Core in office days are Tuesday–Thursday, with the fourth day determined by business needs.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

Territory & Portfolio Management

• Manage and Develop the South-Central territory for Excess and Umbrella business, ensuring profitable growth and alignment with underwriting strategy.

• Analyze financial and risk data for prospective and renewal accounts to identify hazards, exposures, and risk quality.

• Determine appropriate coverage, pricing, and terms in accordance with underwriting authority, guidelines, and management direction.

Relationship & Market Development

• Develop and maintain strong business relationships with internal partners, agents, brokers, and other external stakeholders to attract and retain profitable business.

• Build and expand the retail agency plant within the assigned territory, identify new agency opportunities, and strengthen existing partnerships.

• Establish productive, consultative relationships with assigned agencies to support long-term growth and account retention.

• Ensure timely delivery, follow-up, and servicing all quotes for new and renewal business.

Leadership & Oversight

• Provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to underwriting staff as the team expands.

• Support coaching, development, and performance management efforts in alignment with division and company goals.

• Promote underwriting discipline, consistency, and adherence to best practices across the territory.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.

• Generally, 10+ years of casualty underwriting experience required; prior underwriting management or leadership experience preferred.

• 5 Years of Excess Liability and Commercial Umbrella underwriting experience strongly preferred.

• Progress toward or completion of a professional insurance designation preferred.

• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills with the ability to effectively market products and services.

• Willingness to travel, including overnight travel (more than 10% and less than 50%), to visit agents and brokers.

Business Unit:

Excess Liability

Benefits:

We offer competitive benefits packages for full-time and part-time employees*. Full-time employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness plans, parental leave, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement. Full-time and eligible part-time employees also enjoy Paid Time Off and paid holidays, a 401(k) plan with company match, an employee stock purchase plan, and commuter benefits.

 

Compensation varies by role, level, and location and is influenced by skills, experience, and business needs. Your recruiter will provide details about benefits and specific compensation ranges during the hiring process. Learn more at http://www.gaig.com/careers.

 

*Excludes seasonal employees and interns.