VP, Specialty Product Line

Description Leads the Small Commercial Specialty product and underwriting organization, holding end-to-end accountability for the strategic direction, profitable growth, and underwriting performance of one or more specialty niche business segments within Small Commercial. Sets and executes underwriting and product strategy, drives portfolio profitability (premium growth, underwriting profit, expense control, and retention). Leads a team of underwriting managers and/or underwriters, holding full people-leadership responsibility for attraction, development, pay and performance management, and communication of strategy. Serves as the escalation point on complex or novel underwriting decisions and maintains a visible external presence with agents, brokers, and industry stakeholders. Partners closely with actuarial, claims, product, distribution, and technology teams to ensure the specialty portfolio is well-positioned, well-priced, and well-run. Key Responsibilities Sets underwriting and product strategy for the Small Commercial Specialty segment(s), developing and executing short- and long-term business plans to meet premium, growth, retention, and underwriting profit targets. Owns full P&L accountability for the specialty portfolio(s); monitors performance, drives corrective action, and keeps senior management apprised of results, risks, and opportunities. Leads, develops, and manages a team of underwriting managers and/or underwriters - driving attraction, coaching, performance management, and succession planning, and cultivating a culture of underwriting excellence and teamwork across underwriting, product, marketing, and actuarial functions. Holds significant underwriting authority and serves as the point of escalation and referral for complex, high-impact, or novel underwriting decisions. Develops marketing, underwriting, and distribution strategies for the specialty product line(s), evaluating alternative distribution channels and cultivating strong rel