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. This 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:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute underwriting strategies that align with company goals, adapting to market conditions, risk tolerances, and emerging exposures.
• Portfolio Profitability: Monitor underwriting performance using detailed financial and operational analyses, including rate, reserve adequacy, and pricing program profitability.
• Team Management: Lead, direct, and hold full accountability for underwriting staff, focusing heavily on talent development, performance management, and succession planning.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Actuarial, AI, Data & Analytics, Claims, Risk Services, and Compliance to address governance, regulatory requirements, and technical capabilities.
• Broker & Agent Relations: Maintain and grow strong relationships with agents to gain market insight and identify emerging business opportunities.
• Governance & Audit: Ensure compliance with underwriting authority delegations, audit criteria, and catastrophe management practices.
• Work closely with market strategy efforts and other product lines to achieve key marketing strategies
• 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. Assist in educating the team on changes in underwriting guidelines and appetite.
• Evaluate data, productivity, and loss analysis to analyze workflow, making decisions and/or recommendations if patterns detected or solutions 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 aligned 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.
• Daily contact with Operations personnel regarding items affecting underwriting, new business processing, and state mandated requirements to ensure correct policy assembly and premium accounting.
• 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%)

The base salary range provided below is for hires in those geographic areas only and will be commensurate with candidate experience. Pay ranges for candidates in other locations may differ based on the cost of labor in that location.

In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus based on company and individual performance as well as a generous benefits package.

• Omaha Pay Range: $150,000 - $210,000
• Albany and Chicago Pay Range: $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.