Comm Staff Underwriting Mgr

Job Summary

• This role is dedicated to the development and implementation of our third-party data strategy for underwriting and agent quote flow and will play a critical leadership function in shaping and executing the third-party data strategy to streamline agent quoting and accelerate underwriting decisions.
• Oversees the development of underwriting excellence by identifying operational weaknesses which affect profit and growth goals cross the Property and Casualty, Auto and Workers Compensation business units.
• Evaluates corporate policies, procedures, and practices related to Commercial operating results and recommends and directs modifications with corrective measures. 
• Performs and directs special projects, industry research and development, and training enhancements: develops, implements, and monitors 3rd Party validation programs.
• Acts as a liaison between Home Office Underwriting, Risk Management, Product Management, Commercial Operations, and the Commercial Service Centers. 

Essential Job Functions

• Directs a Home Office Review Team in auditing the Commercial Service Center underwriting, compliance and operation results; recommends and directs modifications with corrective measures to obtain Service Center underwriting excellence and standardization; implements Best Practices in all centers.
• Oversees and conducts regular risk selection audits for all Commercial lines of business; reviews the quality of work performed by the Center in support of underwriting excellence and works directly with the Commercial Center Managers on corrective actions and resolution dates.
• Provides support to Product Managers and Commercial Center Managers in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives that support growth, profit and retention objectives. 
• Advises and counsels Centers on technical underwriting issues and makes recommendations for remedial action through appropriate channels.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and monitors Service Center loss ratio development and loss trends through Service Center field audits, underwriting file reviews, the use of large loss reports and other financial performance reports, and develops strategies and recommendations to correct deterioration in Combined Ratio results.
• Provides technical support, staff guidance and counsel to the Commercial Managers, in conjunction with Product Management.
• Reviews, coaches, and makes recommendations on how to handle accounts outside of their authority.
• Acts as a consultant to provide expertise on all Commercial Products (CMP, Auto, WC) for both Service Center and Home office personnel.
• Develops, contracts, implements, and maintains 3rd Party underwriting validation tools such as Dunn and Bradstreet, ISO Location, POLK, Marshall & Swift Boeckh and Choice Point.
• Programs are monitored for underwriting and marketing excellence and operational effectiveness.
• Develops and oversees internally produced underwriting tools and guidelines such as Underwriting Reference Manual (URT), Business Personal Property Estimator, and the Commercial Underwriting Database, including underwriting guidance pointers and rules.
• Audits and oversees the quality of the Service Center Team Leader underwriting quality reviews, reports results to the Commercial Center Manager with underwriting and training recommendations.
• Act as the Home Office Liaison between Product Management and the Service Centers on all large account submissions by offering consulting services on their underwriting questions, recommendations.
• Responsible for the oversight of the Large Account submission log noting underwriting quality, disposition, and pricing variance.
• Utilizes the log as one of the underwriting tools to recommend underwriting authority levels and training needs. 

Essential Job Functions Cont.

• Promotes and supports Home Office Commercial Training with advanced underwriting seminars and teaches courses on insurance accounting, loss trend and development, advanced pricing applications and financial applications. 
• Provides support for training and management of the risk selection process and recommends corrective action.
• Monitors the effectiveness of established educational/training activity within the Service Center.
• Directs and coordinates the Training Consultants to implement training material, as appropriate, prior to the introduction of new and/or revised policies, procedures and programs.
• Coordinates philosophical discussions that encourage independent thinking and decision-making skills along with discussions on relevant developments in industry trends for claims and underwriting.
• Maintains contact with Risk Management, industry organizations, and other insurance carried. 
• Develop and lead the third-party data strategy to support agent quote flow and enhance underwriting efficiency across Commercial lines. 
• Evaluate and select external data vendors, ensuring alignment with underwriting objectives, compliance standards, and operational goals. 
• Design and manage implementation plans for integrating third-party data into underwriting workflows, collaborating closely with technology and operations teams. 
• Monitor post-implementation performance of data integrations and leverage insights to guide future model development and continuous improvement.

Experience Requirements

• Seven years of Commercial Underwriting experience in property/casualty, auto, and/or Workers Compensation lines of business, preferably including supervisory/management experience.
• Two years Management experience as a Commercial Center Underwriting Manager.

Education Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, preferably in a business-related field of study.
• Completion of or actively pursuing CPCU or other relevant insurance designation.

Special Skill Requirement

• Technical expertise in commercial risk selection and pricing.
• Knowledge of management information and business systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated presentation skills.
• Analytical thinking skills to make timely, appropriate decisions and recommendations after reviewing all relevant information.
• Ability to successfully interact with the Agency Force to grow business while at the same time maintaining underwriting discipline.
• Ability to read and interpret policy contract language.
• Broad-based working knowledge of relevant insurance laws and statutes; the contract issue process, computer systems, competitor’s products and marketing practices.

Physical Actions

Physical Environment

• Required job duties are normally performed in a climate controlled office environment.