Commercial Underwriter

Job Description

The position is responsible for leading underwriting strategy and execution for our Commercial Lines portfolio, including daily operations of the Commercial Lines underwriting department to ensure performance is aligned with financial and productivity targets. The position supports company goals by continuously improving core business processes for the division. This role is responsible for reviewing and handling referrals and approving larger, complex risks within their underwriting authority, managing workflow to meet established service‑level agreements, and directing special projects, committees, and underwriting appetite. The position collaborates frequently with peers across all divisions. The position is responsible for coaching and mentoring personnel. This is a 100% in‑office position. Candidates must be able to work on‑site at a designated company office during standard business hours.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop and execute underwriting strategies that align with company goals, adapting to market conditions, risk tolerances, and emerging exposures.
• Monitor underwriting performance using detailed financial and operational analyses, including rate, reserve adequacy, and pricing program profitability.
• Lead, direct, and hold full accountability for underwriting staff, focusing heavily on talent development, performance management, and succession planning.
• Partner with Actuarial, AI, Data & Analytics, Claims, Risk Services, and Compliance to address governance, regulatory requirements, and technical capabilities.
• Maintain and grow strong relationships with agents to gain market insight and identify emerging business opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting authority delegations, audit criteria, and catastrophe management practices.
• Oversee placing and binding of FAC Reinsurance.
• Provide input and recommendations of underwriting philosophies and guidelines for risk assessment and selection, oversee implementation and execution of underwriting and referral guidelines, submission requirement documents and binding authority documents.
• Educate the team on changes in underwriting guidelines and appetite.
• Evaluate data, productivity, and loss analysis to monitor workflow, making decisions and/or recommendations if patterns are detected or solutions are needed to workflow and underwriting strategy.
• Monitor effectiveness and provide guidance for best practices surrounding underwriting systems and processes; ensuring system changes and projects produce expected results and align with strategic objectives and priority.
• Manage stakeholder expectations from beginning to end through consistent messaging and effective communication plans.
• Partner with team and stakeholders to assess impact, analyze cost/benefit and risk of change, and assist in prioritizing changes, service requests and projects in line with division and organizational roadmap.
• Utilize data analytics to monitor solution and process performance and recommend improvements to support change management or maximize efficiencies.
• Serve as a liaison between Underwriting and other business areas (e.g., IT; Product; Actuarial; Agencies; Training; Compliance; Claims; Billing; Call Center; Client Experience) and collaborate effectively.
• Maintain effective compliance programs to ensure awareness, training, and review of applicable regulations.

Qualifications / Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of P&C commercial underwriting experience.
• 5 to 10 years of progressive leadership and management experience.
• Proven experience leading underwriting teams, managing portfolio profitability, and developing underwriting strategy for commercial lines business with accountability for production, loss ratio, and underwriting results.
• Industry designations: CPCU, ARM, AFIS, or AINS.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, driving operational and financial results, and leading change initiatives.
• Proven ability to influence organizational outcomes, execute business strategy, and lead teams through transformation and continuous improvement.

Overnight travel required (25%).

Pay Range

Omaha: $150,000 - $210,000

Albany and Chicago: $165,000 - $220,000

Benefits and Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation package, performance‑based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits program—including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Legal (EEO) Statement

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. At this time, we are not able to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar state or local law and you wish to discuss potential reasonable accommodations related to applying for employment with us, please contact our Benefits Department.