Director / Sr. Director, Life Sciences, Product Line Leader

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 position is to lead the strategic Life Sciences product to achieve targeted profitability goals in line with established targets. This role will be responsible for developing, communicating and executing upon the goals and objectives established by the Product Line Leader. The role will provide leadership, direction, coaching, mentorship and overall support to the regional Life Sciences underwriting teams to achieve effective execution of best practices. Other areas core to this role would consist of monitoring and revising authority as needed, enhancing underwriting guidelines on a regular basis and performing periodic audits of the portfolio. Effective engagement with Regional, Actuarial, Claims, IT and Operational leadership will be essential to ensure all the Life Sciences product is delivering on the established profitability targets while meeting client needs.

What you'll be doing:

• Proactively identify new market opportunities and product offerings as well as support cross-sell opportunities by identifying client needs;
• Maintain product Line specific technical pricing standards and underwriting authority within the Life Sciences product line;
• Set underwriting standards and strategy for the Life Sciences product;
• Manage the Life Sciences product through continuous Portfolio Management; Provide clear underwriting direction to regional underwriting teams and ensure effective execution in line with product goals.
• Prepare, coordinate and execute product line specific training for underwriters and support staff;
• Provide reviews of accounts beyond assigned authority levels; 
• Transmit concerns/feedback to Senior Leadership regarding product, underwriting and claims concerns based on interactions with management, underwriters and producers;
• Work with Retail and Wholesale Business Development teams to target producers as well as manage client relationships;
• Assist with the development of new business opportunities.

What we're looking for:

• Minimum of 8 years of underwriting expertise with at least 5 years of underwriting experience within Life Sciences; 
• Undergraduate degree preferred;
• Graduate degree and/or industry designations would be a definite plus;
• Superior verbal and written communication skills;
• Collaborative style;
• High energy, pro-active self-starter; someone with a strong sense of urgency;
• Demonstrated ability in setting and meeting objectives and getting leadership, peers and underwriters to “buy in” through superior influencing skills;
• Flexible and spontaneous qualities are key elements to the success of this position;
• Interpersonal skills necessary to achieve desired goals and to interact effectively as well as a high level of confidence, integrity, energy and enthusiasm, executive presence and a personality that fits the “Markel Style.
• Ability to travel 25%.
• 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 $175k - $225k with a 55% bonus potential.