Underwriting Manager

Underwriting Manager

Summary

The Underwriting Manager will lead a team of underwriting professionals in achieving the collective goals of the organization. Reporting to the Senior Underwriting Manager, this position will work closely with other Underwriting Managers and in collaboration with our organization’s management team. Responsibilities in this role include but are not limited to:

Responsibilities

• Effectively communicate company standards, mission, underwriting guidelines, and requirements to brokers, members and staff ensuring Inspired Service at all times.
• Ensure that all rules, procedures, and referral guidelines are properly followed by team members for all lines of business, for reinsurers and for programs administered for other carriers.
• Hire, develop and retain staff with direct oversight of a team of Underwriters, Associate Underwriters and Support Specialists.
• Identify skill gaps and developmental needs and oversee plans to fill gaps and train staff in both personal and technical development. Assist in department-wide training including coordinating staff being made available to train.
• Proactively monitor and manage team’s performance. Including the analysis/utilization of management reports, audits, referral reviews, quality check-ins and performance reviews, etc.
• Proactively identify problems with staff or departmental procedures and work with Senior Underwriting Manager to develop action plans to improve results with frequent feedback and coaching.
• Provide leadership and technical guidance to the underwriting team around all aspects of day to day underwriting including complicated risks.
• Acting within their authority level, authorize exceptions to underwriting rules and approve underwriting decisions on risks exceeding staff’s authority.
• Manage their teams’ schedules to ensure adequate staffing is present each day to meet production needs and that each staff member has an appropriate workload on a day-to-day basis.
• Establish annual goals and conduct annual performance evaluations for team members.
• Conduct regular file audits of team members to ensure compliance with underwriting and documenting standards.
• Shares responsibility for the continued refinement of underwriting products, guidelines and procedures. Seeks out new ways to improve the underwriting process.
• Proactively and deliberately contribute to department meetings.
• Act as backup for team members, as needed.
• Conduct broker, member and prospective member visits as needed.
• Other duties as assigned or requested by the Senior Underwriting Manager.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong technical Commercial Lines Property and Casualty underwriting knowledge and skills. Thorough understanding of underwriting practices, coverages, rules, CLM, rating and regulatory requirements in a multi-state environment.
• Excellent communicator both written and verbally; communicates frequently in a clear, concise manner to build working relationships; able to communicate at all levels of the organization.
• Effective leader and solution-based problem solver, who anticipates issues and who seeks out and evaluates information collaboratively across impacted areas in order to develop proactive solutions.
• Highly-developed organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and control work environment.
• Self-motivated and independent who can deliver quality work in a timely fashion.
• Ability to work with autonomy to make sound decisions both in the management of staff and when approaching technical underwriting scenarios within a Commercial environment.
• Consistent internal and external customer service focus. Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with customers and brokers to yield positive results.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate underwriting teams. Looks for ways to drive engagement to create development and opportunities for staff.
• Ability to delegate appropriately and maintain accountability in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient with Word, Excel, Outlook, and the Internet.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to bend, reach or sit for up to 3 hours at a time.
• The employee must occasionally lift/and or move up to 10-20lbs
• Must have adequate vision (with corrective lenses if needed) to clearly view computer screen.
• Must have adequate hearing to perform job tasks.

Experience

• 8 to 10 years multi-line commercial carrier underwriting experience required.
• 2 to 3 years managerial experience desired and/or strong aptitude/interest to lead and manage other professionals.

Education

• B.A. or B.S. degree or directly-related equivalent experience.
• CPCU, CIC, ARM designations preferred.