Underwriting Product Director

In this role, you will provide strategic direction and insight for the underwriting organization for an assigned line of business (LOB). Lead and coordinate the strategy, execution, and oversight of complex products and programs at the enterprise level. Establishe and communicate underwriting guidance and best practices across the organization.

You will also serve as a senior technical expert, consultant, and mentor within Corporate Underwriting, supporting complex LOB-related inquiries. Lead team workload, performance, and development while partnering with regional offices on underwriting matters. Influence business decisions through clear communication of recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences. Contribute to companywide strategic initiatives in collaboration with Field and Corporate Underwriting leadership to support short- and long-term objectives.

Essential Functions:

• Owns strategy, execution, administration, and development of assigned LOB. 

• Serves as enterprise subject matter expert and ensures effective implementation of LOB strategies, products, and programs, while maintaining awareness of industry trends and regulatory changes.

• Leads development of short- and long-term product and underwriting strategies aligned to enterprise growth and profitability objectives.

• Oversees profit and loss, develops and maintains the LOB business plan, and ensures alignment with enterprise financial goals.

• Evaluates premium, loss, and underwriting data. 

• Identifies trends impacting results; and recommends actions to improve profitability and sustainable growth, with regular monitoring of performance trends and results.

• Develops, maintains, and communicates underwriting standards, tools, and best practices across the enterprise.

• Develops new products and coverage language, evaluates existing offerings, oversees team-driven innovations, and ensures enterprise-wide implementation.

• Assesses cost-benefit of market opportunities and product initiatives. 

• Identifies improvements and provides recommendations to support profitable growth, including escalation of key risks and opportunities to leadership.

• Provides analysis for rate reviews and partners with regional offices and Business Units to improve profitability and production through actionable insights and recommendations.

• Oversees review and development of proprietary and bureau rules, rates, forms, endorsements, and related statistical coding. 

• Evaluates regulatory impacts, prepares filings, and coordinates implementation across functions, including evaluation of regulatory, operational, and system impacts.

• Advises on underwriting philosophy, risk acceptability, forms, rating, and risk management. 

• Handles complex referrals, supports authorizations, and determines/places facultative reinsurance, ensuring timely and effective response to region needs.

• Leads special projects, partners with internal/external stakeholders, and develops and delivers training, workshops, and thought leadership content, including development of materials on complex topics.

• Manages team performance, hiring, compensation, and development; drives succession planning, DEI, and innovation; and oversees department budget.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in an insurance or business-related field, or equivalent relevant experience

• Ten years of experience with commercial property and casualty underwriting, including at least five years of commercial staff underwriting experience within applicable line of business

• Insurance certifications, such as CPCU, AU or CIC

• Previous people leadership experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Superior knowledge of countrywide underwriting techniques, terminology, policies, products, and forms

• Exceptional underwriting judgment, and decision-making skills

• Strong knowledge of key performance indicators (KPIs) and ways to improve them

• Proficiency with computer software and Microsoft Office Suite

• Superior written and oral communication skills

• Superior organizational and multi-tasking skills

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities

• Excellent presentation, communication, and leadership skills

• Strong ability to advise, partner, influence and effectively consult with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders, executives, and project owners

• Strong ability to distill and communicate highly complex issues for technical and non-technical audiences

• Strong ability to translate technical ideas into more general terms for business customers

• Occasional travel required; a valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle report per company standards required if driving