Job Type
Full-time
Description
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 National's 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.
- Bachelor's 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 overviewThe targeted hiring range for this role is $125,000 - $170,000 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 RewardsWestern 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.
Salary Description
$125,000 - $170,000
