Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager

Full-time

Description

Who are we

Western National Insurance Group is a private mutual insurance company with over 120 years of experience serving customers property-and-casualty insurance needs in the Midwestern Northwestern and Southwestern United States. Known as The Relationship Company we define success as a measure of the relationships weve built over everything that we do we know that delivering a friendly and helpful interaction makes for a better experience for everyone involved. Thats the power of nice. At Western National nice is something we work to bring to every person and organization with whom we partner and serve.

Does this opportunity interest you

Western National is seeking a Manager Commercial Lines Underwriting to join our team!

The individual in this role will have the opportunity to lead the commercial lines underwriting function by driving profitable growth developing underwriting talent and maintaining strong agency relationships. This role oversees underwriting strategies and operations to ensure a balanced profitable and high-quality book of commercial lines business while supporting company objectives and agency management initiatives.

What are the responsibilities and opportunities of this role

• Develops and implements underwriting strategies to achieve a balanced profitable and high-quality book of commercial lines business.
• Leads coaches develops and retains underwriting staff to achieve company departmental and individual performance goals.
• Serves as a referral underwriter for underwriting staff providing technical guidance feedback and support on complex underwriting decisions.
• Identifies opportunities to promote Western Nationals products and services and support profitable business growth.
• Develops and executes strategies to capitalize on market opportunities and effectively manage existing agency relationships.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with agents internal business partners and external customers to support business objectives.
• Monitors marketplace trends competitive developments and emerging industry issues through active participation in the insurance community.
• Develops reviews and analyzes periodic reports on assigned regional underwriting operations and takes appropriate underwriting and rate actions.
• Participates in initiatives to develop and improve underwriting processes policies and operational efficiencies.
• Interprets and executes underwriting policies and guidelines while ensuring decisions align with company objectives.
• Assigns and approves underwriting authority levels and exercises decision-making authority within established guidelines.
• Analyzes complex underwriting challenges identifies patterns and trends and implements effective solutions.
• Communicates and negotiates effectively with agents business partners and stakeholders to support positive business outcomes.
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

What are the must-have qualifications for a candidate

• Extensive knowledge of commercial lines underwriting concepts industry best practices and standards.
• Previous experience in a people leadership role.
• Demonstrated ability to coach direct develop and retain employees.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with the ability to evaluate complex information and make sound business decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask prioritize competing responsibilities and solve complex problems.
• Strong relationship-building communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment demonstrate initiative and make decisions within established authority levels.
• Experience analyzing business performance and identifying opportunities for profitable growth.
• Bachelors degree in insurance finance or a related field or equivalent related experience.

What will our ideal candidate have

• CPCU AU or CIC designation.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with ImageRight or a similar document imaging platform.
• Basic to intermediate knowledge of Guidewire or a similar policy administration system.
• Strong business analytics skills and the ability to translate underwriting data into actionable strategies.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with agency partners and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to travel to agency offices as needed up to 25% of the time.

Compensation overview

The targeted hiring range for this role is $125000 - $170000 annually. However the base pay offered may vary depending on the job-related knowledge skills credentials and experience of each candidate as well as other factors such as the scope and location of the role. Candidates looking for compensation outside of the posted range are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on their individual qualifications and/or may be considered for other positions.

Culture and Total Rewards

Western National has long been known as The Relationship Company and caring for our employees is part of that relationship commitment. We value connectiveness empowerment and accountability and we believe that our employees are our biggest asset.

Currently ranked as the 41st largest private company by revenue in Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal) Western National has earned accolades year-over-year as an employer of choice and garnered multiple awards for wellness in the workplace. Western National has also been named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune for consecutive addition the Group is consistently recognized as a Wards 50 property-and-casualty insurance company for its outstanding financial results.

Western National offers full-time employees a significant Total Rewards Package including:

• Medical insurance plan options and other standard employee benefits including dental insurance vision benefits life insurance disability insurance and more!
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) Plan (participants are eligible for 100% matching on the first 6% of their contributions)
• Wellbeing Program including onsite fitness studio
• Paid Time Off including holiday vacation and volunteer
• 100% company-paid tuition reimbursement for approved job-relevant coursework and access to The Institutes (Risk and insurance education)
• Paid parental leave
• Bonus opportunities

Western National believes in supporting balance between work and life by providing a flexible work environment which includes a variety of hybrid and remote work arrangements designed to balance individual job department and company needs.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Western National provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.

Salary Description

$125000 - $170000

Required Experience:

Manager