Director of Product Development

Since 1942, Western Mutual Insurance has been a trusted provider of homeowners insurance across the western United States. We have earned a strong reputation for long-term stability, financial strength, and disciplined underwriting. Today we operate in six states — Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Texas, and Utah — with a diversified, high-quality portfolio. Texas is one of our most important growth markets, and we are actively investing in product development and regulatory infrastructure to support that expansion. The Role We are seeking a Director of Product Development to report directly to our Vice President of Underwriting and serve as a key strategic partner on product strategy across our six-state footprint. This role leads product profitability and portfolio analysis, new product innovation, competitive analysis and market research, pricing strategy, underwriting guideline development, and the full regulatory filing process. Given Texas's critical importance to our growth strategy, we're looking for a candidate with deep, hands‑on experience in the Texas homeowners insurance market and a proven track record successfully navigating the Texas Department of Insurance regulatory environment. Key Responsibilities Partner directly with the VP of Underwriting on product strategy, profitability analysis, and portfolio management across Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Texas, and Utah. Analyze product and portfolio performance — loss ratios, rate adequacy, growth trends — to identify profitability opportunities and risks, and translate findings into product recommendations. Lead new product innovation, from concept through launch, identifying opportunities to enhance and differentiate our homeowners insurance offerings. Conduct ongoing competitive analysis and market research to benchmark our products, pricing, and coverage against the market and inform product strategy. Develop and refine pricing strategy, and lead the development, enhancement, and ongoing refinement of rating plans, rules, and forms for our homeowners insurance products. Create and maintain underwriting guidelines, ensuring they reflect current market conditions, regulatory requirements, and portfolio strategy. Lead the regulatory approval process for rate, form, and rule filings, serving as the company's primary liaison with state Departments of Insurance, especially the Texas Department of Insurance. Track legislative and regulatory developments across all six states, with particular emphasis on Texas, assessing how new laws affect pricing, coverage, and underwriting guidelines, as well as broader impacts to business profitability and compliance. Partner closely with actuarial, claims, and legal teams to translate regulatory, legislative, and market insight into filing strategy, pricing, and product design. Incorporate input from Sales leadership into product, pricing, and underwriting guideline decisions to ensure alignment with distribution and growth goals. Manage filing timelines and documentation to ensure timely approvals and minimize regulatory delays. What We're Looking For Significant experience in homeowners or property/casualty product development, rating/rules/forms, and regulatory filings, with strong, demonstrated expertise in the Texas market and the Texas Department of Insurance specifically. Experience with product profitability analysis and portfolio management — comfortable working with loss ratio, rate adequacy, and performance data to inform product decisions. Experience leading new product development, competitive analysis, and market research. Experience developing pricing strategy and creating or refining underwriting guidelines. Working knowledge of state Department of Insurance regulatory frameworks and the legislative process as they relate to homeowners insurance, across multiple states. Experience tracking and interpreting legislation for its potential impact on pricing, coverage, underwriting guidelines, and overall business profitability and compliance. Proficiency with SERFF and insurance rating software. Demonstrated success obtaining regulatory approvals in complex or restrictive states. Strong analytical and drafting skills, with the ability to translate regulatory and market data into practical filing and product strategy. Excellent collaboration skills, with experience working cross‑functionally in a carrier environment, partnering closely with underwriting, actuarial, legal, and sales/distribution teams. Bachelor's degree required; relevant industry designations (e.g., CPCU, AIC, IPMA) are a plus. Why Join Us With over eight decades of financial strength and underwriting discipline, Western Mutual combines the stability of a long‑established carrier with the agility and innovation of a company actively investing in growth. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the product and regulatory foundation for one of our most important expansion markets (Texas), while working in close partnership with our VP of Underwriting. You'll have direct visibility into how your product strategy, pricing, and filing decisions drive real business results — all from our Irvine, CA headquarters. We value collaboration, strategic thinking, and a commitment to disciplined growth. Join a team where your work directly influences our success across the Western U.S. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We offer a competitive salary and a full benefits package including a Company Car, 401k Plan, Profit Sharing Plan and Bonus Plan. Please see our Privacy Notice For Job Applicants here: #J-18808-Ljbffr