VP – DIC Earthquake Business Unit Leader

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Vice President to lead our DIC Earthquake Underwriting division. This role combines leadership, technical underwriting expertise, and strategic vision to drive the profitable growth of our earthquake portfolio. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in catastrophe risk assessment, strong relationships across the industry, and a proven ability to lead high-performing teams.

What will your job entail?

Job Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategic Oversight:

• Set and execute the strategic direction for the Earthquake underwriting department in alignment with business goals.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of underwriters to ensure performance excellence, professional development, and goal achievement.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and operational excellence within the underwriting team.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on broader business strategies, portfolio management, and market positioning.

Underwriting & Risk Management:

• Underwrite and provide final authority on complex DIC/Earthquake risks.
• Evaluate submissions based on geographic exposures, financials, loss history, and catastrophe modeling tools.
• Ensure underwriting decisions align with company risk appetite, regulatory standards, and industry best practices.
• Partner with risk management teams to identify, assess, and mitigate portfolio-level risks.

Product Development & Market Intelligence:

• Develop, refine, and implement underwriting policies and coverage strategies that reflect market needs and opportunities.
• Stay informed on emerging risks, regulatory changes, and competitor activities to keep our offerings competitive.
• Support new business development initiatives and contribute to the expansion of our earthquake and DIC product suite.

Client & Broker Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, clients, and key partners to drive growth and retention.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex underwriting queries.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and public forums to enhance visibility and promote underwriting capabilities.

Compliance, Reporting & Continuous Improvement:

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and internal underwriting standards.
• Monitor and report on underwriting performance metrics, identifying trends and areas for improvement.
• Lead initiatives to optimize underwriting processes and systems for efficiency and effectiveness.

Work Experience and Education:Education:
•    Bachelor’s degree in Business, Risk Management, Finance, or a related field. Advanced certifications (CPCU, ARM) preferred.
Experience:
•    8+ years of commercial insurance underwriting experience, with significant focus on Earthquake and DIC.
•    5+ years in a leadership or management role within underwriting operations.
•    Proven track record in underwriting strategy, risk assessment, and team leadership.
Skills & Competencies:
Technical/Functional:
•    Underwriting Strategy
•    Catastrophe Risk Modeling
•    Risk Assessment & Risk Management
•    Regulatory Compliance
•    Broker & Client Relations
•    Strategic Planning & Execution
Behavioral:
•    Strong Leadership & Mentorship
•    Decisive and Analytical Problem Solving
•    Effective Communication and Negotiation
•    Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments
•    Commitment to Continuous Improvement
 

Ryan Specialty is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse workforce throughout the organization. Our 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 expression, sexual