The Head of E&S Platform Development will lead the strategic design, buildout, and operationalization of a non-admitted/excess & surplus (E&S) insurance platform.
This executive will be responsible for assessing the organization's current capabilities, infrastructure, talent, and technology and developing a comprehensive roadmap to launch and scale a profitable E&S platform.
The ideal candidate has direct experience building or launching an E&S platform within an insurer, MGA, or specialty carrier, across a range of lines and segments. This leader must balance strategic vision with execution, guiding decisions on what capabilities should be built internally, purchased from third-party vendors, or repurposed from existing systems.
Responsibilities
- Lead the strategy and execution to build a non-admitted E&S platform focused on expanding upon and beyond a commercial transportation base.
- Develop a multi-year roadmap for product, underwriting, distribution, technology, and operations.
- Define the target operating model for the E&S platform including underwriting structure, distribution strategy, and operational workflows.
- Conduct a top-down assessment of the current organization, including:
- Talent and leadership capabilities
- Existing underwriting infrastructure
- Technology stack
- Claims and operations capabilities
- Distribution partnerships
- Identify organizational gaps and areas for enhancement required to support an E&S platform.
- Evaluate existing internal tools and determine which capabilities can be leveraged or repurposed.
- Recommend and execute build vs. buy vs. partner decisions across:
- Policy administration systems
- Rating and underwriting platforms
- Data and analytics infrastructure
- Claims and servicing capabilities
- Identify and evaluate MGA, program administrator, and technology vendor partnerships.
- Design E&S underwriting appetite and product offerings.
- Establish underwriting guidelines, pricing strategy, and risk selection frameworks.
- Develop relationships with wholesale brokers, MGAs, and specialty distribution partners.
- Build a distribution strategy tailored to the E&S market.
- Build and lead a cross-functional team spanning underwriting, product, operations, and technology.
- Serve as a key strategic advisor to senior leadership regarding E&S market expansion and platform development.
- Oversee the launch and scaling of the platform, ensuring operational readiness and profitability.
Requirements
- 15+ years of progressive experience within insurance, with significant leadership experience in underwriting specialty, excess & surplus lines (E&S)/non-admitted lines.
- Proven experience building or launching an E&S platform or specialty program.
- Technical depth in product development, pricing, compliance, regulatory, and underwriting.
- Experience managing non-admitted underwriting and risk results to achieve corporate profitability.
- Hands-on experience in transforming and innovating underwriting solutions with a track record of entrepreneurial thinking and action.
- Influential senior Executive with hands-on underwriting P&L experience - a leader with a strategic mindset and demonstrated relationship-building ability that provides direction for the non-admitted underwriting and risk management operations.
- M+A and/or new business development background - demonstrated experience with alternative ways to grow and diversify business profitability.
- Experience working within:
- Specialty insurers
- E&S carriers
- Program carriers
- MGAs or program administrators.
Strong understanding of:
- E&S regulatory environment and surplus lines market
- Policy administration and underwriting technology
- Insurance program structures and reinsurance frameworks
- Distribution through wholesale brokers and MGAs
Leadership Capabilities
- Strategic thinker with platform-building experience
- Ability to assess organizations and develop scalable operating models
- Strong change leadership and cross-functional influence
- Proven ability to launch new business lines or insurance programs
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com
