Vice President, Life Sciences, Hamilton Select

Hamilton

5d•Remote

About The Position

Hamilton Select is seeking a dynamic and experienced underwriting executive to serve as Vice President, Life Sciences Underwriting Division. This leader will oversee the strategic direction, underwriting discipline, product strategy, portfolio performance, and market presence of Hamilton Select’s Life Sciences practice. This newly created role will focus on Excess & Surplus (E&S) lines placements for General Liability, Products Liability and Professional Liability coverages for small to medium-sized and lower middle market accounts. This role will build and grow a profitable Life Sciences underwriting division focused on providing E&S solutions to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, digital health, nutraceutical, analytical laboratory, and clinical research clients across the U.S. The leader will also take inspiration from Hamilton’s successful and collaborative underwriting culture, integrating best practices in underwriting discipline, broker engagement, technology enablement, and operational excellence. You will be responsible for building and leading a team of underwriters, managing key broker and market relationships, shaping product offerings, and collaborating with senior leadership to drive strategy, innovation, and growth on Hamilton’s E&S platform. The location of this U.S.-based role is flexible, with a preference for candidates in the greater NY/NJ or Richmond, VA area. Reporting to the Chief Underwriting Officer Hamilton Select, you’ll be a hands-on leader, collaborating with underwriting teams and wholesale broker partners to shape and execute Hamilton Select’s underwriting strategy.

Requirements

Ten or more years of underwriting experience with a strong track record in Life Sciences product lines.
Deep technical knowledge of Life Sciences exposures and coverage, with the ability to mentor and develop team members as the portfolio grows.
Proven ability to build and execute a business strategy focused on smaller, niche segments.
Demonstrated success in generating new business, exercising sound judgment, and growing a portfolio from a small base.
Strong existing broker relationships and the ability to attract, develop, and sustain new partnerships.
Balanced understanding of both subjective and objective elements of underwriting risk, with the confidence to justify decisions at senior levels.
Broad understanding of market trends and dynamics within the Life Sciences sector.
Proven ability to deliver underwriting profitability.
Strong business acumen with a shared focus on expense discipline and managing operations to maximize shareholder value.
High integrity in all internal and external interactions.
Motivated, self‑starter with an entrepreneurial and growth‑oriented mindset.
Strong verbal and written communication skills with confident, timely decision‑
Effective leadership, coaching, and mentoring capabilities.
Approachable, relationship‑driven, and able to clearly articulate and market the business.
Professional, insightful, and adept at managing diverse stakeholders.
Able to work independently with strong organizational and forward‑planning skills.
Highly analytical with strong attention to detail and problem‑solving capability.
Skilled negotiator with the ability to navigate and influence outcomes effectively.
Strong technical expertise supported by the productive use of data and technology.
Open, innovative, inclusive, and collaborative in work style.
Results‑oriented with a focus on continuous improvement and long‑term growth.

Nice To Haves

CPCU or RPLU designation (completed or in progress) preferred.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Business Management
Develop and execute the national Life Sciences underwriting strategy, aligned with Hamilton Select’s performance goals and underwriting philosophy.
Lead the build‑out of underwriting guidelines, appetite, rating frameworks, policy forms, endorsements, and underwriting standards for the Life Sciences portfolio.
Establish and oversee portfolio performance metrics to ensure underwriting discipline, sustainable underwriting profitability and strategic growth.
Partner with senior leadership to identify opportunities to expand risk appetite, develop new product capabilities, and strengthen Hamilton Select’s Life Sciences value proposition.
Contribute to the development and placement of reinsurance solutions supporting the Life Sciences portfolio.
Underwriting Oversight
Oversee underwriting execution across Product Liability, Professional Liability, General Liability and Excess/Umbrella lines relevant to Life Sciences risks.
Provide hands‑on technical leadership for complex risks, key accounts, and specialty opportunities.
Ensure underwriting standards, authorities, documentation, and regulatory compliance are maintained across the division.
Apply critical thinking, sound judgment, and pricing discipline to drive underwriting profitability and consistency.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
Build, lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing underwriting team, ensuring deep technical competency and strong execution.
Mentor underwriters in risk selection, pricing, broker engagement, negotiation, and Life Sciences‑specific exposures.
Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
Broker and Market Engagement
Strengthen and expand relationships with wholesale brokers and trading partners nationally.
Actively market Hamilton Select’s Life Sciences capabilities while ensuring messaging alignment with underwriting appetite.
Leverage relationships to generate new business opportunities, grow premium, and improve account retention.
Represent Hamilton Select at industry events, maintain a strong market presence, and elevate Hamilton’s reputation in the Life Sciences sector.
Operational Excellence & Technology Enablement
Partner with Technology, Operations, Risk, Claims, and Actuarial teams to enhance quote systems, underwriting tools, and data capture.
Drive digital enablement initiatives to improve speed‑to‑market, accuracy, and ease‑of‑doing‑business for brokers.
Establish efficient workflows, quality controls, and documentation practices