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 primary purpose of this position is to lead and implement the strategic development and execution of organizational goals and objectives. Provide leadership, direction and support to underwriting team(s) and/or direct reports. Is responsible for underwriting, profitability, growth and retention of new and renewal business that is consistent with underwriting strategies. Manage underwriting functions to achieve profit, revenue, loss ratio, and expense targets. Ensure effective execution of best practices. In conjunction with PLL Leadership delegate underwriting authority to staff via letters of authority; monitor and revise as appropriate. Ensure a quality underwriting work product is produced consistent with letters of authority, underwriting strategy, standards and process. Provide coaching and training for underwriting staff based on results of underwriting audit review. Work with Operations to ensure all processing and service standards are met. Communicate, identified agency production, training or quality issues to Marketing. Develop and maintain relationships with internal resources (Actuarial, Product Development, Claim, IT, etc.) to coordinate services to customers.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 among our global community of optimists and problem-solvers. Join us and play your part in something special!
The primary purpose of this position is to lead the strategic development and execution of organizational goals and objectives for Markel's Railroad underwriting portfolio. This includes rolling stock, track and roadbed, bridges and tunnels, and railroad-related property, all within Markel's Inland Marine practice. The Director/Sr. Director is responsible for underwriting results, profitability, growth and retention across new and renewal business. The role also provides leadership and direction to the underwriting team.
Responisilities:
- Lead and implement underwriting strategy for Railroad, consistent with Inland Marine and Property product line strategies.
- Manage underwriting functions to achieve profit, revenue, loss ratio and expense targets.
- With PLL leadership, delegate underwriting authority to staff through letters of authority, and monitor and revise it as appropriate.
- Ensure underwriting work is high quality and consistent with authority levels, guidelines and standards.
- Coach and train underwriters based on underwriting audit results. Address individual career and development needs.
- Underwrite and provide referral guidance on complex, high-hazard and large-account Railroad risks, including risk selection and pricing.
- Build and maintain relationships with key retail and wholesale producers, Class I, short line and regional railroads, and industry partners.
- Balance team workloads and maintain appropriate staffing levels, including recruiting and hiring.
- Partner with Operations to ensure processing and service standards are met.
- Work with internal partners (Actuarial, Product Development, Claims, IT and Marketing) to deliver solutions to customers. This includes flagging producer, training or quality issues to Marketing.
- Identify cross-sell opportunities with other Markel divisions.
- Monitor competitor forms, pricing and market trends, and position Markel's Railroad product accordingly.
- Contribute to special projects, product development and new business initiatives.
Qualifications:
Required
- 10+ years of commercial insurance underwriting experience.
- 5+ years underwriting Railroad (rolling stock, track/roadbed, railroad property) or Inland Marine.
- Demonstrated technical knowledge of coverage forms, policy language, pricing and risk selection.
- Proven track record of profitable underwriting results and broker/agent relationship management.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel.
- Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent experience.
Preferred
- Direct Railroad underwriting experience, including rolling stock and railroad-related property.
- Inland Marine and Property (including marine-related property) underwriting experience, which is an acceptable alternative to direct Railroad experience.
- Prior people leadership or team management experience.
- Professional designations (CPCU, AU, ARM or similar).
- Existing relationships in the Railroad, Inland Marine and wholesale/specialty distribution communities.
US Work Authorization
US Work Authorization required. Markel does not provide visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future.
Pay information:
The salary range for the Director, Underwriting position is $152,600-318,000/year, the Sr. Director, Underwriting position is $177,100-368,900/year. The posted salary range reflects the lowest and highest base salary applicable to this role across our U.S. locations. Individual offers are determined based on geographic location, experience, qualifications, internal equity, and other job-related factors. As a result, the salary offered for a specific location will fall within a narrower range than the overall range displayed in this posting. This position may also be eligible to participate in the Company's annual incentive plan.Who we are:
Markel Group (NYSE – MKL) a fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory and investment operations around the world.
We’re all about people | We win together | We strive for better
We enjoy the everyday | We think further
What’s in it for you:
In keeping with the values of the Markel Style, we strive to support our employees in living their lives to the fullest at home and at work.
We offer competitive benefit programs that help meet our diverse and changing environment as well as support our employees’ needs at all stages of life.
All full-time employees have the option to select from multiple health, dental and vision insurance plan options and optional life, disability, and AD&D insurance.
We also offer a 401(k) with employer match contributions, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, PTO, corporate holidays and floating holidays, parental leave.
Are you ready to play your part?
Choose ‘Apply Now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.
Caution: Employment scams
Markel is aware of employment-related scams where scammers will impersonate recruiters by sending fake job offers to those actively seeking employment in order to steal personal information. Frequently, the scammer will reach out to individuals who have posted their resume online. These "job offers" include convincing offer letters and frequently ask for confidential personal information. Therefore, for your safety, please note that:
All legitimate job postings with Markel will be posted on Markel Careers. No other URL should be trusted for job postings.
All legitimate communications with Markel recruiters will come from Markel.com email addresses.
We would also ask that you please report any job employment scams related to Markel to [email protected].
Markel is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic. This includes race; color; sex; religion; creed; national origin or place of birth; ancestry; age; disability; affectional or sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; genetic information, sickle cell trait, or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait; refusal to submit to genetic tests or make genetic test results available; medical condition; citizenship status; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, or family responsibilities; military or veteran status, including unfavorable discharge from military service; personal appearance, height, or weight; matriculation or political affiliation; expunged juvenile records; arrest and court records where prohibited by applicable law; status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence; public assistance status; order of protection status; status as a smoker or nonsmoker; membership or activity in local commissions; the use or nonuse of lawful products off employer premises during non-work hours; declining to attend meetings or participate in communications about religious or political matters; or any other classification protected by applicable law.
Should you require any accommodation through the application process, please send an e-mail to the [email protected].
No agencies please.
Skills Required
- Minimum 10 years of underwriting expertise
- At least 5 years of underwriting experience within Railroad or Inland Marine
- Superior verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to set and meet objectives and influence leadership, peers, and underwriters
- Collaborative, proactive, high-energy leadership style
- Strong interpersonal skills, confidence, integrity, executive presence, and enthusiasm
- Ability to travel 25%
- U.S. work authorization
- Undergraduate degree
- Graduate degree and/or industry designations
Markel Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Markel and has not been reviewed or approved by Markel.
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Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive coverage includes medical, prescription, dental, vision, and telehealth, complemented by company-sponsored wellness programs and free fitness/mindfulness apps. Feedback suggests expanded mental-health resources and wellness incentives further enhance support.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings include 401(k) and other financial protections that can add meaningful long-term value. Feedback suggests strong company matching and retirement contributions are a notable part of the package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — A broad suite includes paid time off, corporate holidays, parental leave, hybrid work, volunteer time, and education support. Feedback suggests PTO accrual grows with tenure and can include an option to buy extra days.
Markel Insights
What We Do
At Markel, we believe in hard work, a zealous pursuit of excellence, and fairness in all our dealings. Markel Corporation (NYSE: MKL) is a global Fortune 500 company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. We seek to be a leader in each of our pursuits, with insurance being our primary business. As a market leader for specialty insurance, reinsurance, and investment operations around the world, Markel embodies integrity, commitment, teamwork, and innovation in every day operations. We are encouraged to look for a better way to do things. Since our founding in 1930, we have sought to know our customers’ needs and to provide quality products and service. Markel specializes in providing coverage for hard-to-place risks for a variety of niche markets including: • Agricultural and equine risks • Reinsurance for large risk enterprises such as oil rigs • Event cancellation insurance for weddings, concerts, and sporting events • Inland marine coverage for fine art collections • Environmental pollution • Yachts, ATVs, and motorcycles At Markel we provide an atmosphere in which people can reach their personal potential. We are results-oriented, and we continually strive for a better way to do things. The Markel approach is one of spontaneity and flexibility. Markel helps employees balance work and social activities. Markel gives you the keys to success! Keeping an open mind and learning new skills allows our associates to stay ahead of the marketplace. Above all, we enjoy what we are doing. There is excitement here that comes from innovating, creating, striving for a better way, sharing success with others…winning. That is the Markel Style.







