Underwriting Director

In this role, you will provide strategic insight and direction for the underwriting organization on assigned LOB. For assigned LOB, leads, researches, and coordinates the ownership, execution, strategy, administration and/or development of the most complex products and programs at enterprise level. Creates and communicates best practices and underwriting guidance for assigned LOB to the whole enterprise. Serves as the highest technical expert, consultant, and mentor in Corporate Underwriting on responses to questions for assigned LOB. Leads, and directs the workload and performance of the assigned Underwriting team. Acts as a strategic partner to branch offices on assigned underwriting related matters. Influences strategies through effective and efficient communication of underwriting recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences. Provides strategy and direction for companywide strategic initiatives, working with Field and Corporate Underwriting leadership regarding short and long-term business decisions.     

Essential Functions:

Leads, researches, and coordinates the ownership, execution, strategy, administration and development of highly complex assigned line of business (LOB) at enterprise level

• Serves as assigned line of business subject matter expert to provide strategic direction enterprise wide.  Develops line of business strategies and plans, and ensures successful implementation enterprise wide.  Leads the administration and development of products and programs for assigned line of business

• Leads the process of the developing of short- and long-term strategic product and underwriting strategies within LOB in support of enterprise-wise business and profitability goals

• Maintains primary oversight of the profit and loss for assigned LOB.  Develops and maintains the business plan for assigned LOB

• Analyzes premium and loss data and other key reports on monthly and quarterly basis to ensure long-term profitable growth

• Analyzes underwriting and loss results and determines underlying trends that impact results. Recommends actions to drive profitable growth

• Creates, maintains, and communicates best practices and underwriting guidance to the whole enterprise.

• Develops new product ideas, reviews existing products, and drafts new coverage language.  Oversees new product ideas developed within team and subsequent implementation across the organization

• Proactively communicates and makes necessary recommendations to management for improvement needed to meet company goals and improve underwriting results

• Evaluates the cost and benefit of market opportunities and product initiatives, and recommends actions based on evaluation, including identifying product improvements for complex products

• Provides analysis for state and countrywide rate reviews as well as to aid branch partners in efforts at profitability improvement and profitable production by providing recommendations and support to drive profitable growth

• Reviews insurance publications and keeps current on issues impacting LOB by attending seminars and participating in continuing education

Leads and serves on special projects for assigned LOB.  Leads and participates in training opportunities and programs for assigned LOB.

• Serves as a sought-after subject matter expert frequently consulted for initiatives and special projects within assigned LOB

• Manages business relationships with external and internal partners to introduce and integrate product initiatives based on enterprise needs

• Initiates and assists in the preparation of underwriting workshops and seminars for the company

• Acts as a speaker or instructor for internal training exercises or meetings, and provides input or prepares articles on the most complex issues.

Provides oversight and governance of existing rules and forms for assigned LOB for both EMC proprietary and ISO or other bureaus

• Reviews and studies proposed changes in rules, rates, and forms for assigned LOB for both EMC proprietary and controlled by ISO

• Prepares any necessary changes and new information for company manuals, bureau and proprietary policy forms, and statistical coding

• Assesses the impact of proposed changes and determines the need for and timing of filings. Prepares documentation needed to obtain approval and makes recommendations for needed action

• Writes and prepares new proprietary endorsements as needed

• Coordinates with other corporate office departments to implement and communicate changes and impacts

• Reviews insurance publications and keeps current on issues by attending seminars and participating in continuing education

• Serves as the LOB subject matter expert by researching and reviewing state regulations, coverages, operational processes, underwriting criteria and system application and tools

Acts as a strategic partner and technical subject matter expert to branch offices on LOB underwriting related matters

• Receives and handles underwriting referrals from the field and/or segment

• Ensures that the team responds timely and collaborates closely with branch offices on underwriting philosophy, authorizations, and facultative reinsurance needs, etc.

• Provides guidance and direction in the development of underwriting and training tools at the branch and enterprise level

• Provides advice and guidance for branch authorizations in determining the acceptability of business by discussing underwriting philosophy, policy forms, rating approaches, underwriting and risk management techniques, including the largest and most complex risk submissions which may require a specialized approach

• Determines the need for and places facultative reinsurance

Builds culture and develops team members while overseeing team

• Collaborates with team members to establish performance goals and monitors status, conducts performance reviews, and provides coaching

• Interviews, hires, and recommends salary adjustments for team members 

• Resolves disciplinary issues, reviews results, action plans, and progress

• Develops team expertise and completes succession planning, including identifying talent and implementing development plans for critical positions

• Supports diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

• Fosters an innovative culture, including supporting new ideas and providing guidance on potential changes

• Develops and maintains 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