Lead Underwriter – Environmental Casualty (Products Liability & Pollution) Manufacturing

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital – a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance.  We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture.  As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry.

At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, civil union status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in the selection process.

Lead Underwriter – Environmental Casualty (Products Liability & Pollution) Manufacturing

AXIS is building out its Environmental Casualty platform with a focus on the manufacturing segment offering complex product liability and pollution coverage across North America.

This is a leadership role within a growing, specialist underwriting team responsible for combining general liability and pollution capabilities into a more integrated client solution.

As a Lead Underwriter, you will develop, underwrite, and manage a national portfolio of complex product Liability & pollution risk while helping to shape underwriting strategy, distribution, and team development within our environmental practice.

Role Overview

This position is responsible for underwriting and portfolio management of complex environmental casualty risks, with a focus on manufacturing/product exposures. The role combines day-to-day deal execution with broader responsibilities across strategy, relationship management, and team development.

You will operate with a high level of autonomy while contributing to longer-term initiatives tied to portfolio growth, product evolution, and market positioning.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio & Production

• Develop and grow a profitable book of environmental casualty business across manufacturing risks
• Underwrite, analyze, and price complex risks across general liability and pollution exposures
• Build and manage a diversified portfolio aligned to profitability and risk appetite

Underwriting Execution

• Evaluate submissions, perform technical underwriting analysis, and determine appropriate terms and structures
• Prepare and issue indications, quotations, and binders
• Decline risks outside appetite with clear, market-credible rationale

Distribution & Market Engagement

• Develop and manage relationships across retail and wholesale broker channels
• Actively market AXIS capabilities and originate new business opportunities
• Maintain consistent broker engagement through in-person meetings and remote interaction

Strategy & Platform Development

• Contribute to the build-out of AXIS’s environmental casualty offering, particularly within manufacturing
• Support the development of underwriting guidelines, appetite, and product strategy
• Establish presence as a market-facing thought partner within the environmental and manufacturing space

Leadership & Team Development

• Support, mentor, and provide guidance to junior underwriters
• Assist with underwriting referrals and training within the pollution liability space
• Contribute to team build-out and operational structure as the business scales

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a senior environmental casualty underwriting professional with a proven track record handling complex product liability & pollution targeting Middle market manufacturing risks within a leading commercial insurance carrier.

They bring both technical depth and strong market connectivity, along with a willingness to operate in a hands-on, build-oriented environment.

Desired Experience & Qualifications

• 15+ years of environmental liability underwriting experience
• Deep expertise in pollution legal liability (PLL)
• Strong knowledge of general liability and product liability and pollution exposures within manufacturing
• Demonstrated track record of underwriting profitable business portfolios
• Established relationships across retail and wholesale environmental brokers
• Proven ability to originate and develop new business opportunities

Core Capabilities

• Strong technical underwriting and analytical skills
• Ability to evaluate complex risk and structure solutions across combined GL and pollution coverage
• Excellent communication skills with demonstrated ability to influence internal and external stakeholders
• Executive presence with the ability to build long-term broker and client relationships
• Self-starter mentality with the ability to operate independently in a national role

Work Environment

• Hybrid work model with a combination of in-office, remote work, and travel
• Location flexible around major U.S. insurance hubs
• Travel required for broker meetings, industry events, and internal collaboration

For this position, we currently expect to offer a base salary in the range of $220K - $250K. Your salary offer will be based on an assessment of a variety of factors including your specific experience and work location.  

In addition, you will be offered competitive target incentive compensation, with awards based on overall corporate and individual performance. On top of this, you will be eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for you and your family, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, and much more.   

Where this role is based in the United States of America, this role is Exempt for FLSA purposes.