MGA Program Leader
Overview
Our client is a growing Managing General Agency (MGA) looking to bring on an experienced underwriting leader to build, launch, and scale a new specialty insurance program. This is a blank-sheet opportunity for a senior underwriter or underwriting executive who is ready to own their own P&L, develop carrier relationships, and lead a program from concept through execution and growth.
The ideal candidate has deep expertise in a niche, non-standard line of business, such as Inland Marine, Builders Risk, Excess Casualty, or other specialty lines (excluding traditional property). This role offers significant autonomy, long-term upside, and the opportunity to create a differentiated underwriting franchise within a well-capitalized MGA platform.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, launch, and grow a specialty underwriting program within the MGA framework
- Own end-to-end underwriting strategy, including appetite, guidelines, pricing, and risk selection
- Establish and manage strong carrier partnerships, including negotiating capacity and terms
- Build and manage the program P&L, including growth, profitability, and performance metrics
- Act as the senior underwriting authority on complex and high-value risks
- Collaborate with executive leadership on long-term strategy, expansion, and new product opportunities
- Recruit, mentor, and lead underwriting talent as the program scales
- Partner with distribution to drive producer engagement and market adoption
Ideal Candidate Profile
- 10+ years of underwriting experience, with meaningful leadership or program ownership responsibility
- Proven experience in one or more specialty or niche lines such as:
- Inland Marine
- Builders Risk
- Excess / Umbrella Casualty
- Other non-commodity specialty programs
- Background within an MGA, carrier, or program administrator environment
- Demonstrated ability to take a program from idea → launch → scale
- Strong carrier relationships and market credibility
- Entrepreneurial, commercially minded leader comfortable operating with autonomy
- Experience managing underwriting governance, compliance, and portfolio discipline
Why This Opportunity
- True build-from-scratch role with ownership and influence
- Backed by an established MGA platform with infrastructure, capital, and distribution
- Competitive compensation with meaningful long-term upside tied to program performance
- Ability to put your personal underwriting stamp on a growing specialty business
Compensation
Highly competitive base salary plus bonus and long-term incentive participation, structured to align with program growth and profitability.
FAQs
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