Underwriting Specialist, Life Sciences

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!

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 retail position and focus on middle market multi line is to underwrite new business and renewals in a profitable manner and according to authority level and established guidelines, and participate in special projects having an impact on the business. Assigned larger and more important agents/brokers. Utilize underwriting tools to determine accurate classifications, rates, and premium charges. Understand state laws, including cancellation and non-renewal, within assigned territory to properly transact business within each state. Knowledgeable in coverage forms and policy language; appropriate utilization of forms and exclusions. Assist with resolving premium audit disputes within assigned agents/brokers. Able to provide coaching to others.

What you'll be doing:

• Reviewing, analyzing, accepting, and declining life science risks to ensure profitability for Markel.
• Able to find different approaches towards risks to maximize profitability and increase renewal retention rates.
• Reviews complex policies to verify acceptability based upon company underwriting guidelines and granted underwriting authority. Prices and quote accounts within company guidelines. Determines whether to accept, modify, or decline risks.
• Accountable for accurate underwriting documentation/information in account management systems and adherence to documentation standards.
• Provides excellent customer service. 
• Able to capture new business opportunities and effectively cross selling. 
• Consults, as needed, with agents/brokers to obtain further information, quote rates, or explain underwriting guidelines.
• Able to create tactical sales plans; track results and execute necessary corrective action.

What we're looking for:

• 6+ years of life science underwriting expertise within the retail space.
• Multi- line underwriting experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge and skills reflective of progression of positions of increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrated marketing and relationship building skills.
• Four-year college degree and/or CPCU or similar designation preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Microsoft Office skills to include MS Word and MS Excel.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Must be a team player that enjoys a flexible and spontaneous business environment with a desire to succeed.
• Up to 25% travel (when appropriate)
• US Work Authorization required. Markel does not provide visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future.

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.  
• Markel offers hybrid working schedules of 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

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 No other URL should be trusted for job Markel Group Careers.
• 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].

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 $100,000 - $140,100 with a 25% bonus potential.