Job DescriptionThe Senior Commercial Underwriter is responsible for independently evaluating, underwriting, and managing complex commercial insurance risks in alignment with company underwriting guidelines, appetite, and profitability objectives. This role applies advanced technical expertise, sound judgment, and market awareness to assess risk quality, determine appropriate coverage terms and pricing, and drive disciplined growth within an assigned portfolio. The Senior Underwriter serves as a trusted resource to agents and internal partners, provides guidance on unusual or higher-hazard accounts, and supports underwriting consistency through mentoring, collaboration, and adherence to regulatory and company standards.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Review and assess new business, renewals, endorsements, and cancellations across applicable commercial lines of business.
- Apply appropriate classifications, coverage forms, endorsements, deductibles, and limits based on exposure analysis
- Ensure policy terms, conditions, and pricing complies with filed rates, rules, state regulations, and company standards.
- Document underwriting decisions clearly and thoroughly in underwriting systems.
- Maintain accuracy and quality of policy documentation and underwriting records.
- Negotiate terms and conditions within authority to balance profitability and competitive positioning.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with agents, brokers, and internal stakeholders.
- Manage and monitor assigned book of business to support profitability, growth, and retention goals.
- Handles co-signs/referrals and mentors new underwriters.
- Assesses alternative ways to make a risk acceptable independently and will often mentor other UW levels on advanced or complex risks.
- Serves as the underwriting representative for assigned territory.
- Educates, coaches, and trains agents on underwriting procedures, philosophy, and new products.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associate or bachelor's degree preferred but not required. Equivalent experience considered in place of collegiate studies.
- Six to eight years of underwriting experience, or equivalent P&C industry and/or Farming or Commercial industry knowledge.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain underwriting decisions clearly.
- Sound judgment and problem-solving abilities.
- Additional Qualifications:
- Experience mentoring or coaching less experienced underwriters.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Strong knowledge of commercial coverages, policy forms, endorsements, and rating methodology.
- Familiarity with ISO forms, classifications, and state-specific rules and regulations.
- Ability to identify coverage gaps, emerging risks, and portfolio trends.
- Industry designations, such as AINS, AU, or CPCU.
OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- The position requires the ability to effectively communicate with others to exchange information.
- A person in this position establishes methods and procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives and receives guidance in terms of broad goals. Only the final results of work are typically reviewed.
The position requires physical presence in the company office on a full-time basis.
Depending on the qualifications of the candidate, this role may be filled at a lower level.
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.
Albany & Chicago - $75,000 - $115,000
Benefits and CompensationWe 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.
