Assistant Vice President, M&A Underwriter

Job summary

ABOUT ETHOS SPECIALTY Ethos Specialty’s Transactional Liability team offers multiple solutions including Representations and Warranties (R&W) and Tax insurance. This is an opportunity to join Ethos Specialty Insurance Services LP. Ethos Specialty is a leading Managing General Underwriter (MGU) that develops industry-specific insurance programs and provides specialized underwriting services on behalf of high-quality carrier and syndicate partners. Ethos has developed, and is the underwriting manager for, Transactional Liability insurance, including Representations & Warranties (RWI) and Tax…

Job details

ABOUT ETHOS SPECIALTY Ethos Specialty’s Transactional Liability team offers multiple solutions including Representations and Warranties (R&W) and Tax insurance. This is an opportunity to join Ethos Specialty Insurance Services LP. Ethos Specialty is a leading Managing General Underwriter (MGU) that develops industry-specific insurance programs and provides specialized underwriting services on behalf of high-quality carrier and syndicate partners. Ethos has developed, and is the underwriting manager for, Transactional Liability insurance, including Representations & Warranties (RWI) and Tax insurance products. Ethos Specialty is owned by Bishop Street Underwriters, an insurance platform that partners with MGUs and niche underwriting teams. Ethos benefits from an extensive underwriting track record, with deep capabilities and underwriting expertise that matches risk to multiple sources of capital, while providing the highest quality, independent underwriting service to its industry partners and capital providers. ABOUT THE ROLE This position is ideal for a candidate with a strong interest in mergers and acquisitions who thrives in a client‑facing, fast‑paced environment and enjoys evaluating transactional risk. As an Assistant Vice President, you will work closely with Ethos Specialty’s senior underwriting team, benefiting from hands-on mentorship and structured on-the-job training. The role offers exposure to a wide range of M&A transactions and transactional liability products providing a strong foundation for growth in a sophisticated underwriting discipline. Essential Functions & Responsibilities The AVP Underwriter position will be responsible for underwriting M&A transactional risks and supporting Ethos Specialty’s Transactional Liability product offerings. Among other things, the Underwriter will: * Review and interpret transaction agreements, due diligence materials, representations and warranties, and other documentation to evaluate M&A-related risks. * Apply legal, financial and commercial judgment to analyze transactional risks and support underwriting decisions relating to domestic and cross-border deals. * Assess underlying risk in accordance with Ethos Specialty’s Transactional Liability product line policies and procedures. * Draft, review and negotiate non-binding indication letters, insurance policies, and binder agreements. * Engage directly with clients, clients’ advisors, brokers, and other deal professionals in a client-facing capacity. * Manage transaction workflows in coordination with outside counsel, in-house underwriting professionals, and broker partners. * Participate in underwriting and diligence calls, contributing to risk discussions and coverage structuring. * Develop and maintain strong relationships with brokers, clients, and other deal professionals on behalf of Ethos Specialty. * Present underwriting analyses, key risks, and preliminary conclusions to senior underwriters and/or management. * Manage all aspects of file and deal administration throughout the underwriting process. EXPERIENCE & SKILLS REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL SKILLS * Strong written and oral communication skills; proficient in drafting and reviewing legal and commercial documents. * Ability to negotiate with commercially and legally sophisticated advisors and clients. * Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaboratively work on a global basis. * Ability to multitask and be decisive on technical underwriting points in a fast-paced deal environment. * Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work independently. * Creative, commercial, and practical problem-solving skills. * Strong file and deal management skills. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE * Familiarity with M&A transaction structures, deal documentation, and due diligence processes across a range of transaction types. * Ability to review and comprehend financial statements, legal agreements, diligence reports, and related transaction documents. * Comprehensive understanding of representations, warranties, and indemnification concepts in the context of M&A transactions. * Knowledge of R&W insurance, Tax insurance, or other Transactional Liability products is a plus but not required. * Familiarity with financial statement analysis is a plus but not required. * Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint). EXPERIENCE * Minimum of 2–5 years of transactional experience at a major law firm, Big Four accounting firm, or other relevant professional services environment. * Experience conducting due diligence exercises, deal structuring, or reviewing and working with transactional documents is strongly preferred. * No prior insurance or underwriting experience required — candidates with strong legal or financial transaction backgrounds are encouraged to apply. * Experience in M&A advisory, corporate law, or related transactional fields is a strong plus. EDUCATION * Bachelor’s degree required. * Law degree (J.D.) preferred. * Other advanced degrees or relevant professional certifications will be considered. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Employment Type: Full-Time / Permanent Estimated Travel: 10–15% Location: New York City metropolitan area; other locations will be considered

What you’ll do

The AVP Underwriter is responsible for evaluating M&A transactional risks and supporting Transactional Liability product offerings. This includes reviewing transaction agreements, negotiating insurance policies, and managing relationships with brokers and clients.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor's degree and 2-5 years of transactional experience at a law firm, Big Four accounting firm, or professional services environment. A law degree (J.D.) and experience in M&A advisory or corporate law are strongly preferred.

Listed skills

• Technical · Preferred
• analysis · Preferred
• materials · Preferred
• interpersonal skills · Preferred
• Interpersonal · Preferred
• Client · Preferred
• management · Preferred
• Documentation · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Communication Skills · Preferred
• Accounting · Preferred
• coordination · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• M&A Underwriting
• Transactional Risk Analysis
• Due Diligence
• Legal Drafting
• Negotiation
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Deal Management
• Client Relationship Management
• Risk Assessment
• Cross-border Transactions
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Commercial Judgment