Director, Product - Small Commercial

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 Director, Package Product Management leads the development and execution of strategy for Markel’s commercial package product portfolio within the Small Commercial Business Unit. This role is accountable for driving profitable growth through disciplined underwriting, sound product strategy, and effective portfolio management across packaged offerings. Working in close partnership with underwriting, actuarial, distribution, claims, operations, and technology teams, the Director will play a key role in advancing pricing and underwriting capabilities, refining risk appetite, improving automation and ease of use, and identifying opportunities for organic expansion. Success in this role requires balancing innovation and scalability with alignment to Markel’s risk culture and long term financial objective
Working with Senior and Executive Management, this position is accountable for reviewing and evaluating referrals for pricing, coverages, and loss detail in order to underwrite profitable business in a portfolio arrangement. Develop and maintain productive relationships within assigned UW segments; product line management; Senior/Executive Management; Business Development and shared service functions such as claims, finance etc.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitors frameworks for underwriting decisions (e.g., referrals, technical reviews) and recommends improvements, as needed.
• Evaluates portfolio performance regularly working with Underwriting Leaders to identify drivers of performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Drives UW technical excellence working with Underwriting Leaders to identify and resolve issues.
• Works with Underwriting Leaders to identify product and services enhancements, underwriter capability development opportunities (e.g., skills, tools),
• Proven leadership experience in cross‑functional, matrixed environments.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage senior leaders and technical teams alike.
• Delegate underwriting authority to underwriting staff via letters of authority; monitor and revise as appropriate.
• Assist and oversee product strategy, communication and execution.
• Maximizes individual and team performance through automation efforts.
• Presents to senior management on key indicators, metrics, and drivers that impact the attainment of business goals.
• Acts as a knowledge expert within the company on industry trends related to assigned products and educates the organization on best practices in the market.
• Assist in the development and implementation of new products. Assist and leads the effort in conjunction with PRS to make recommendations on product design, price and development efforts.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent problem solving/decision making abilities and the ability to translate data into strategic decisions.
• Manage assigned product line(s) to achieve profit, revenue, loss ratio, and expense targets. Is responsible for setting underwriting, profitability, growth and retention of new and renewal business that is consistent with underwriting strategies.  
• Maintains an understanding of all Markel products, services and solutions and initiates discussions with other business units as appropriate

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MS, or equivalent) preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of current multiline package experience, preferably with deep exposure to underwriting, product management, pricing, or actuarial disciplines.
• Expert-level knowledge of all aspects of coverage forms, exclusions, and exposure. Pricing, structure, rating, rating plans, loss forecasting,  market knowledge, preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience operating within several different industry segments experience; insurance operations; claims, finance and actuarial concepts; regulatory environment; loss control/risk engineering; reinsurance; account management; product development; and industry trends.
• Models effective collaboration within/across teams, stakeholders and partners (e.g., UW Support, Claims, Actuarial, NA Product Teams). And Broad understanding of claims, actuarial, product development, regulatory and compliance functions.
• Must be a skilled collaborator who is willing to assess all sides of an issue, bring in others with expertise, and independently execute and advance the collaboration model

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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 $136,840 - $188,155 with a 55% bonus potential.