Head of Wholesale Underwriting

The role

The Head of Wholesale Underwriting will lead the development and execution of a new wholesale-exclusive insurance brand. You will set distribution strategy, define products and appetite, and hire product line leaders. You will also manage premium, profit, and loss-ratio results for the wholesale business.

What you will do

• Launch Shepherd's new wholesale business and brand
• Define wholesale strategy including target products, appetite, and broker partners
• Work with Underwriting leadership to design new E&S products
• Hire product underwriting leaders and support development of guidelines and authority frameworks
• Structure distribution strategy and onboard wholesale broker partners
• Work with capacity and reinsurance partners to secure E&S paper
• Partner with Product, Engineering, and Data to design submission-to-bind workflows
• Own premium, profit, loss-ratio, retention, and expense results
• Hire, coach, and grow a team of wholesale leaders and staff
• Work with Corporate Underwriting to set authority and run audits

Required qualifications

• 12+ years in the wholesale and E&S commercial P&C market
• Leadership roles at a carrier, MGA/MGU, or wholesale specialty underwriting organization
• Proven record of building or scaling a wholesale business, product line, or channel
• P&L ownership for premium, profit, and loss-ratio results
• Deep relationships with national and regional wholesale brokerage teams
• Strong command of E&S business and wholesale channel dynamics
• Experience leading, mentoring, or managing underwriters
• Executive presence to present strategy and results to leadership, capacity partners, and reinsurers
• Comfort with ambiguity
• Willingness to travel about 25%
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Nice to have

• A background in construction accounting, finance, or law

Benefits

• 100% contribution to top-tier health, dental, and vision
• Fertility Benefits & Family Building Support
• Unlimited PTO
• Daily Lunches, Dinners & Snacks
• Access to premium coaching, including leadership development
• Competitive 401(k) Plan
• Dog-Friendly Office

About the company

Shepherd rebuilds commercial insurance with software, data, AI, and deep underwriting expertise. The company develops insurance products and partners with established insurers to back coverage.