Manager, Underwriting

Old Republic Bitco is seeking a Manager, Underwriting to join our regional office located in Pasadena CA. As a respected specialty insurer with 11 branch offices across 10 states, OR Bitco delivers tailored insurance solutions to complex industries such as construction, forest products, and oil and gas. This position is open to a hybrid work arrangement, blending flexibility with meaningful in person collaboration.

At OR Bitco, our work is guided by core values. We care deeply about our people, partners, and customers. We are committed to excellence and accountability. We deliver on our promises with integrity and precision, and we strive to make a meaningful impact in everything we do. These values drive our mission to protect the people and industries that keep America running.

Join the OR Bitco team and be part of a workplace built on collaboration, open communication, and a positive culture that supports growth and success. If you are passionate about operational excellence and ready to make a measurable impact within a growing, industry-leading organization, OR Bitco offers the platform and challenge you have been looking for.

Position Summary :

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Underwriting Manager to lead and elevate the performance of our branch underwriting team. In this role, you will oversee day-to-day underwriting operations, ensuring the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and technical excellence while driving profitable growth across an assigned territory. You'll play a key leadership role, coaching and developing staff, managing agency relationships, and making critical decisions on complex and high-value risks. This position is ideal for a strategic thinker who combines deep underwriting expertise with strong leadership, sales acumen, and a commitment to delivering exceptional service and results.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Directs and supervises underwriting activities of Underwriting staff, including the quality, quantity and timeliness of work
• Maintains current company and department procedures. Assigns work, provides training and feedback to team members, and conducts timely and appropriate evaluations of job performance in the department
• Underwrites or provides assistance in underwriting large or unusual risks which require a high level of technical knowledge and skill in product and industry
• Conducts reviews of underwriting files
• Assists branch manager with various projects as needed
• Decides whether to accept, decline or modify applications or requests to sell an insurance policy and once sold, recognizing and evaluating exposure changes as they occur during a policy period and including an understanding of the company's target programs and coverage
• Evaluates, quotes and negotiates prices on applications from new and renewal customers and requests for changes in policies which requires an understanding of statutory requirements, ISO, company and NCCI coverage forms and endorsements and commercial line reference manuals, including Best's Underwriting Guide
• Demonstrates consistently above average proficiency in recognizing key underwriting issues and taking appropriate action on developed information
• Manages a group of agencies, including prospecting for new agencies, agency appointment, growth and development, maximization of agency profit sharing opportunities and credit management; evaluating agency factors, including agency personnel, line diversification, loss ratio, agency book of business, volume and profit potential and which agencies to appoint or terminate
• Travel as necessary to perform sales and marketing activities, maintain territory, attend meetings, or for other reasons deemed necessary to fulfill position requirements
• Solicit new business and retain renewal business through effective presentations to agency and customer audiences
• Manages and develops business in an assigned territory, including achieving profitable underwriting results, sales development and customer service functions
• Formulates, plans and achieves sales budgets, with objectives to support business planning, for assigned accounts and territory, including setting and achieving premium and loss ratio goals, agency and prospecting calls and business forecasting
• Working with a structured referral process, maintains, promotes and increases profitable sales from current and prospective customer accounts through, among other activities, regular agency visits, developing agency relationships and agency reviews
• Makes decisions within stated levels of authority and company guidelines, seeks exceptions to guidelines as needed when supported by appropriate data
• Identifies and takes appropriate action on changes in customer operations or financial conditions
• Participate in complex research, analysis or development projects requiring advanced skills as assigned directly from home office underwriting
• Maintains and promotes profitable business relationships with current and prospective customer accounts, through effective marketing, sales and service efforts
• Coordinates, promotes and markets claims, risk control and premium audit service plans to current and prospective customers
• Maintains current knowledge of corporate, regulatory and competitive changes in lines of business written
• Serve as a source of knowledge within the company
• As a management representative, consistently acts in the best interest of BITCO and provides leadership and communication to actively promote BITCO's mission, values, and culture
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Insurance, Risk Management, or other Business related field preferred; or equivalent experience
• Prior supervisory or management experience
• Minimum of 5-7 years' experience in the following areas:
  • Field Underwriting - Construction, Forest Products, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas
  • Underwriting New & Renewal Business - Determine pricing and understand commercial lines policy forms and coverages
  • Analyzing & Managing Exposures - Develop action plans to manage risks and changes during a policy period
  • Agency Management - Growth and development; prospecting; appointment; and maximization of opportunities and responsibilities
  • External Sales - Cultivate new business while demonstrating retention of current customers through presentations to agencies and customers

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Office environment; this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, as directed by manager
• Frequently sit at a desk or other work station for extended periods of time
• Occasionally lift and carry equipment and/or materials weighing up to 15 pounds
• Routinely bend, kneel, reach, see, be mobile and walk around
• Must be able to attend and perform job duties effectively both in-person and virtually, as required by manager
• Travel - overnight travel is required; must have a valid driver's license

Salary $110,000.00 -$180,000.00, Commensurate with experience

Benefits:

• Competitive salary paired with a comprehensive benefits package
• Generous paid time off, plus 12 paid holidays annually
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans
• Additional protection through accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
• Company-paid life insurance equal to 2× annual salary
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan through Old Republic
• Ongoing education, training, and professional development opportunities
• Support for industry certifications and insurance designations, including financial assistance
• Flexible scheduling with a two-hour window for start and end times within a 7.5-hour workday
• Opportunities to give back through corporate philanthropy and community service initiatives
• Optional benefits including travel, commuter, and pet insurance
• Employee wellness support through a dedicated fitness program