VP of Underwriting, Southern California

Introduction

Zenith is a team of Workers' Compensation Specialists committed to helping businesses succeed by protecting against the financial and human consequences of workplace injuries, providing for the needs of injured employees and making the workplace safer. To distinguish ourselves as the desired provider of Workers' Compensation Insurance, values such as collaboration, work-life balance, and integrity are placed at the center of all our operations. In addition, Zenith supports career advancement through a dedication to ongoing learning and development. An individual coming to Zenith will not only receive competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, but continuous opportunities to grow as a professional.

Overview

The Vice President of Underwriting oversees underwriting operations of the branch/office and any remotely located individual(s) that reports into that office/branch. Incumbent is a key contributor in marketing the Company and its products and in Agency management.


Responsibilities

• Positions Zenith as the expert in Workers' Compensation.
• Executes disciplined risk consideration and assumption within a growth mindset.
• Engage with and position our underwriting discipline and value proposition to external customers (agents and policyholders) to enable growth.
• Works with Branch Manager to set strategic underwriting direction.
• Holds management meetings to discuss vision and goals.
• Achieves planned results through decisions and actions based on professional methods, business principles, and practical experience.
• Creates an environment within the branch offices that supports collaboration, teamwork, growth and innovation.
• Uses operational audits and yearly compliance audits to gauge performance of branch and individuals.
• Will recommend or make decisions regarding existing or new programs that have a significant impact on operations and carry potential consequences if unsuccessful.
• Works collaboratively with management from other disciplines and other offices to solve problems.
• Removes obstacles.
• Provides feedback to branch management staff.
• Supports local training and establishes training protocols for the office.
• May work with Underwriting Technical Director to develop technical training courses.
• Has highest level of underwriting authority in the Branch.

People Leader:

• Schedules and conducts all employee meetings to discuss operational issues and direction.
• Will interview technical job candidates before they are hires to make sure they possesses appropriate qualifications and experience.
• Provides on-going performance feedback to direct reports.
• Provides coaching and development when and where appropriate.
• Works with manager(s)/supervisor(s) on performance improvement plans or personal issues when needed.
• Conducts annual performance reviews for direct reports and contributes to reviews for downstream staff as needed.
• Salary administration and review of sign offs.

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent combination of training/experience required
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of training/experience required

Work Experience

• 7-10+ years of progressively complex commercial lines underwriting experience required
• Prior branch-level underwriting management experience preferred
• Prior staff supervisory/leadership experience required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expert level understanding of Zenith's underwriting philosophy and standard industry procedure.
• Expert knowledge of workers' compensation policy rules.
• Work experience demonstrating ability to champion change.
• Ability to create and present a clear focused message to all constituents.
• Comfortable in front of groups and able to handle questions/controversy.
• Expert listener and problem-solver.
• Highly skilled in building business information, disseminating it, and sharing with senior management.
• Expert in workers' compensation underwriting.
• Expert level understanding of the core business, strategies, and practices required to successfully run the office.
• Strong oral and written communications skills used to explain, teach, and document.
• Strong reading and math skills.
• PC literacy required.
• Data analysis skill to determine appropriate workloads and strategies for peak periods.
• Strong presentation and listening skills.
• Strong in data analysis.
• Driver License in good standing.

Pay, Benefits, and Other Information

The expected salary range for this position is $193,000 - $235,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience, geographic location, and other job-related factors as permitted by law. Qualifications may warrant placement in a different job level.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D and Disability Insurance
• 401(k), Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Education and Training Reimbursement
• 10 paid Company Holidays, 2 Personal Days, 2 Floating Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• For more information, review details on the Benefits page of our Career Site:

Zenith typically posts jobs for a minimum of 8 to 14 calendar days. If you are interested in any of our open positions, we encourage you to submit your application promptly.

Zenith Insurance Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. In compliance with California law, we are committed to fair hiring practices. Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act (AB 1008), we will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the law. Additionally, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, we will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment has been made.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and need assistance accessing our career center or applying for a position due to your disability, you are entitled to request an accommodation. To make a request, please contact a Human resources representative at Zenith Insurance Company.

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