Who are we?
A strategic and trusted insurance partner, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI), provides a broad range of commercial property, casualty, and specialty insurance coverages and outstanding service to customers and brokers around the world. Part of Berkshire Hathaway’s insurance operations, we bring our solutions to market with our stellar brand name, top-rated balance sheet, and the expertise of our global team of professionals, who exude excellent capabilities and strong character.
We are a values-based organization where respect, integrity, excellence, collaboration, and passion define who we are and how we do business. We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, and perspectives and strive to foster an inclusive environment that enables all our team members to bring their best selves to work. We are committed to building a culture where every teammate can contribute and be recognized. Want to be part of the team building the finest property, casualty, and specialty lines insurance company in the world?
Learn more about our unique culture and history .
Job Opportunity
BHSI has an exciting opportunity for an experienced construction insurance professional to join our team as Assistant Vice President / Vice President, Subcontractor Default Insurance (SDI).
This individual will play a key leadership role in building and growing BHSI's SDI capabilities. The position requires deep construction and risk transfer expertise with strong underwriting judgment, commercial instincts, and a demonstrated ability to develop lasting relationships with sophisticated contractors and distribution partners.
This is a highly visible role with the opportunity to help shape our strategy, underwriting approach, market presence, and long-term portfolio. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating with significant autonomy and accountability while collaborating closely across underwriting, claims, actuarial, legal, risk engineering, and other BHSI functions.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Help develop and execute BHSI's strategy for the Subcontractor Default Insurance business, including appetite, distribution and underwriting approach in addition to portfolio and policy management.
- Source, evaluate, structure, price, and negotiate complex SDI opportunities with leading general contractors and construction managers.
- Perform comprehensive contractor assessments, including financial condition, operational capabilities, subcontractor prequalification and monitoring practices, project controls, geographic and trade concentrations, loss experience, and overall risk-management discipline.
- Develop a deep understanding of customers' construction portfolios, operating models, subcontractor management practices, and risk-retention strategies.
- Establish appropriate program structures, limits, retentions, terms, conditions, and risk-management expectations.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with contractors, brokers, and other key participants in the construction insurance marketplace.
- Partner closely with Claims throughout the life of the account, particularly on emerging subcontractor issues, mitigation strategies, and lessons that can improve underwriting.
- Collaborate with actuarial, finance, legal, and senior leadership regarding pricing, aggregation, portfolio performance, and emerging construction trends.
- Monitor the portfolio for changes in contractor financial strength, subcontractor performance, construction economics, geographic and trade concentrations, and other developing risks.
- Help establish scalable underwriting standards, processes, tools, and portfolio-management disciplines for a growing SDI business.
- Represent BHSI in the construction marketplace and contribute to the company's reputation as a knowledgeable, responsive, long-term risk partner. Mentor and develop teammates as the business grows.
Qualifications, Skills, And Experience
- 5+ years of relevant experience in Subcontractor Default Insurance, construction insurance underwriting, risk management, surety, or a closely related discipline, with significant, direct SDI experience strongly preferred.
- Candidates with a construction project and/or risk management background with experience managing SDI programs will be considered.
- Demonstrated expertise evaluating large and sophisticated general contractors and construction managers.
- Strong understanding of contractor financial statements, work-in-progress schedules, backlog, cash flow, subcontractor prequalification, project controls, and construction operations.
- Thorough understanding of SDI program structures, coverage, retentions, claims dynamics, and loss-mitigation practices.
- Strong analytical capabilities combined with sound judgment and the ability to make decisions when information is incomplete.
- Demonstrated ability to originate and develop business and build trusted relationships both internally and externally.
- Ability to negotiate complex insurance structures while balancing customer needs with disciplined underwriting.
- Strong written, verbal, and communication skills.
- Collaborative approach and willingness to work across disciplines to solve problems and make informed decisions.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience. CPCU, ARM, CRIS, CPA, engineering, construction-management, or other relevant professional credentials are a plus.
- Ability to travel as appropriate to develop and manage customer, broker, and industry relationships.
BHSI Offers
- A competitive package and exciting growth opportunities for career-oriented teammates.
- A dynamic, action-oriented, and thoughtful environment centered on always doing the right thing for our customers, teammates, and our other stakeholders.
- A purposely non-bureaucratic organization that embraces simplicity over complexity and emphasizes individual excellence in a team framework.
- Benefits that support your life and well-being, which include:
- Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision benefits
- Disability Insurance (both short-term and long-term)
- Life Insurance (for you and your family)
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (for you and your family)
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Employee Assistance Program
- Retirement Savings 401(k) Plan with Company Match
- Generous holiday and Paid Time Off
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Parental Leave
Compensation
The base salary range for this position is $170,000 to $220,000, along with annual bonus eligibility. Total compensation for a candidate is determined by their relevant skills, location, and experience. We value our teammates - both their capabilities and character - as demonstrated by our amazing culture.
NOTE: Compensation will be commensurate with experience. This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. Team Member may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.
