Asst Mgr Underwriting

Western & Southern Financial Group•Cincinnati, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position manages a specific team of underwriters within Insurance Operations, underwrites cases, and concurs on larger case underwriting decisions. It is responsible for the performance management and development of underwriting associates and for the integrity and execution of business processes and systems. The role ensures service and underwriting standards set out in Partnership Agreements and scorecard objectives are consistently achieved or exceeded while managing potential risk to the Company. It maintains positive business relationships with high-level personnel, clients, agents, internal departments, vendors, and other insurance companies. The Assistant Manager works closely with the Manager, Underwriting; Vice President & Chief Underwriter; Director of New Business; Medical Department doctors; and New Business management staff. The role supports development of underwriting staff and procedures and guidelines intended to provide outstanding service and effective cost management. It also oversees team performance, resource planning, operational improvements, projects, vendor relationships, and budget-related activities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
Proven experience coaching and developing individuals, providing direction and effective feedback using performance management practices.
Previous underwriting experience.
Strong knowledge of the insurance industry, business unit products, and regulatory requirements related to underwriting.
Solid customer service experience, including identifying client problems or issues and initiating effective resolutions.
Ability to provide examples of strong negotiation skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly and concisely interpret and communicate business needs and information to internal groups and external clients.
Experience coordinating multiple assignments and consistently achieving business goals; ability to cite organization skills and methods used to prioritize workload demands.
Experience identifying and resolving problems using independent decision-making and sound judgment.
Successfully pass at least one ALU exam within 24 months; listed as required within one year.
Ability to remain stationary for long periods while working at a desk, on a computer, with standard office equipment, or in meetings.
Ability to verbally communicate and exchange accurate information with customers and associates regularly.
Visual acuity to read and interpret correspondence, procedures, reports, and forms, and to inspect small defects or parts and operate machinery or measurement devices as described.
Ability to prepare written correspondence, reports, and forms using prescribed formats and appropriate punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
Ability to apply logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to perform substantial continuous movement of the wrists, hands, and fingers for computer work.
Availability for extended hours during peak workloads or special projects or events.

Responsibilities

Assist the Manager, Underwriting, in establishing underwriting policies and standards with underwriting and new business leadership to support consistent risk classification and favorable mortality and morbidity.
Work with field sales associates and management to promote profitable new business, and interact with senior-level Enterprise management on daily administration and initiatives.
Participate in field advisory conferences, agent schools, meetings, and office visits to answer questions and present information.
Assist with audits of underwriters and provide timely feedback to support appropriate underwriting actions and staff development.
Underwrite large-amount applications and serve as backup to the Vice President for concurrence on larger or difficult applications.
Assist with formal insurance department complaints and complaints from agents or applicants; help New Business and Claims management analyze and respond to complaints and disputes.
Counsel underwriters on personal relationship techniques that foster good rapport with producers.
Promote open communication, integrity, professionalism, urgency, and teamwork throughout underwriting operations.
Plan, organize, and direct team work by monitoring production, service time, quality, observations, and customer contact.
Approve financial transactions within the role's approval authority.
Evaluate productivity and quality against Partnership Agreements, manage work activities, and balance resources to meet or exceed goals.
Lead staff through management and coaching; communicate departmental goals and initiatives, provide regular performance feedback, and support development of associates' skills and competencies.
Develop a departmental education plan and identify and address performance issues.
Use written and oral communications, including team and department meetings, to keep associates informed about Company initiatives, projects, procedures, goals, priorities, and department philosophy.
Participate in reward and recognition programs for team and individual accomplishments.
Anticipate staffing and resource needs as workload changes, plan for those changes, and work with other Insurance Operations managers to maximize resources.
Recommend and implement operational changes aligned with industry trends and developments; stay current through industry publications, LOMA resources, and industry conferences.
Seek expense reductions and efficiency improvements, and champion process, system, or personnel changes to achieve them.
Participate in research and decisions for departmental and corporate committees and projects, and manage projects and teams related to process improvements, efficiency, or expense reduction.
Build and maintain relationships with vendors and other insurance companies, identify process improvements and cost reductions, and implement vendor changes without disrupting service levels.
Identify production problems, coordinate with IS staff to resolve them, prioritize outstanding work orders, and develop manual workarounds when needed, including when a system correction is not cost-effective.
Assist with the annual department salary and expense budget; monitor overtime and mail expenses and adjust spending where possible.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all policies and standards.