CNA Financial Corporation

Underwriting Manager (Underwriting Hub)

CNA Financial Corporation$72K — $141K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
  • 8+ years of underwriting experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
  • Advanced technical underwriting expertise and understanding of insurance products.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills with stakeholders.
  • Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities in a dynamic environment.
  • Ability to translate strategy to execution while maintaining quality and discipline.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop a team of underwriting professionals, ensuring performance and engagement.
  • Manage portfolio execution and account for underwriting results including profitability and quality.
  • Oversee onboarding, training, and coaching for continuous development of team members.
  • Evaluate and approve referrals, providing underwriting direction as needed.
  • Conduct file reviews and support quality improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to resolve operational and service issues.
  • Maintain knowledge of industry trends and regulations relevant to the underwriting portfolio.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package supporting physical, financial, emotional, and social wellbeing.
  • Opportunities for skill development and professional growth.
  • Support for succession planning and consistent performance management.
  • Access to industry insights and forums for professional engagement.
Full Job Description
Under general direction of Underwriting Hub leadership, the Underwriting Manager, Hub is responsible for leading an underwriting team and managing execution of an assigned renewal underwriting portfolio within the Underwriting Hub. The role is accountable for portfolio performance, underwriting quality, productivity, work execution, and team development within an assigned segment, region, or business scope.

The Underwriting Manager translates underwriting strategy, specialization priorities, change initiatives, and process improvements into clear direction for the team. The role balances people leadership, technical underwriting oversight, operational discipline, stakeholder partnership, and continuous improvement to support profitable renewal outcomes, consistent underwriting execution, and strong service to internal and external partners.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:

Leads underwriting staff responsible for an assigned renewal underwriting portfolio, including work activities, performance, development, team engagement, and execution of assigned business objectives. Manages portfolio execution and is accountable for renewal underwriting results within assigned scope, including profitability, productivity, quality, service outcomes, and ongoing analysis and monitoring of the book of business. Onboards, trains, coaches, leads, and develops underwriting professionals across Hub contributor levels; supports succession planning, skill development, and consistent performance management practices. Evaluates, recommends, and administers underwriting authority levels in accordance with established governance, team member experience, technical capability, and business need. Reviews and approves referrals within established authority limits and provides underwriting direction on matters requiring management review, escalation, or coordination with technical resources. Oversees application of underwriting policy, pricing strategy, documentation standards, referral practices, and quality expectations across assigned portfolio; conducts file reviews and provides feedback to support continuous improvement. Translates underwriting strategy, specialization priorities, change initiatives, process improvements, and business unit objectives into clear, actionable direction for the team while maintaining underwriting discipline and service standards. Anticipates capacity needs, skill gaps, workload pressures, and operational risks by monitoring trends, work allocation, productivity, quality indicators, and performance results; adjusts plans to support sustainable and timely execution. Collaborates cross-functionally with Field, Operations, Claims, Risk Control, Line of Business, Underwriting Services, and other stakeholders to resolve issues impacting service, quality, workflow, or business outcomes. Develops, maintains, and strengthens internal and external stakeholder relationships to support positive and profitable outcomes, effective renewal execution, and strong alignment with assigned business segments or regions. Maintains current knowledge of state and territory issues, regulations, industry trends, market conditions, and underwriting practices relevant to assigned portfolio; may participate in relevant industry or business forums.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop underwriting professionals, fostering strong performance, accountability, engagement, and technical growth.
  • Advanced technical underwriting expertise with a deep understanding of insurance products, underwriting principles, risk assessment, policy processing procedures, documentation standards, and underwriting workflows.
  • Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, consultation, and presentation skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external business partners at all levels.
  • Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess risks, interpret data, monitor performance indicators, and prioritize multiple workstreams in a dynamic environment.
  • Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, apply sound judgment, and make effective decisions in complex or evolving underwriting, operational, or stakeholder situations.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate strategy and change initiatives into team-level execution while reinforcing underwriting discipline, quality standards, and business objectives.
  • Results-driven mindset with the ability to achieve business goals, monitor portfolio and team performance, and drive meaningful outcomes through people leadership and operational execution.
  • Demonstrated creativity and critical thinking in resolving unique and challenging business problems while balancing profitability, quality, service, and execution.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other business-related software; familiarity with underwriting platforms, workflow tools, and reporting resources preferred.


Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Typically a minimum of eight years of underwriting experience, including at least three years in a leadership or management role. Professional designations such as Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) strongly preferred.

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In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $72,000 to $141,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location. CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees - and their family members - achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals. For a detailed look at CNA's benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.

About CNA Financial Corporation

CNA Financial Corporation provides commercial property and casualty insurance products primarily in the United States. It offers professional liability coverages and risk management services to various professional firms, including architects, real estate agents, and accounting and law firms; directors and officers, employment practices, fiduciary, and fidelity coverages to small and mid-size firms, public and privately held firms, and not-for-profit organizations; and commercial property, general liability, cyber liability, umbrella, and excess liability, as well as various other property and casualty coverages for healthcare institutions, professional services firms, and other specialized industries. The company also provides warranty and service contracts for consumer goods, and extended service contracts for consumer automobiles and recreational vehicles; and accident and health, and group life insurance products. In addition, it offers management and professional liability insurance and risk management services, as well as other specialized property and casualty coverages to various healthcare organizations, including hospitals, physician groups, and nursing homes. The company markets its products through independent agents, brokers, and general underwriters to various customers, including small, medium, and large businesses; insurance companies; associations; and other industry groups. CNA Financial Corporation was founded in 1853 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Learn more about CNA Financial Corporation
Size
5,600 employees
Market Cap
$11.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$690 million
Founded
1973
5 Year Trend
+4.7%
Revenue
$10.8 billion
NASDAQ

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