AVP, Captive & Specialty ESL Underwriting
About The Position
The AVP, Captive & Specialty ESL Underwriting leads captive and specialty employer stop loss underwriting and is responsible for achieving profitable growth for the Crum & Forster Stop Loss team. The position oversees portfolio management, advises on strategic development, coordinates accounts and projects with C&F Stop Loss and shared-services colleagues, and contributes technical expertise in underwriting and industry matters. The AVP leads and mentors a team of underwriters and collaborates with colleagues to support divisional goals. This remote role is part of Crum & Forster’s Accident & Health Division, whose portfolio includes specialty insurance and reinsurance products, domestic special risk and medical solutions, and international offerings through partnerships. The A&H MBU serves Employer Stop Loss & Excess Medical and Ancillary, Life & Supplemental benefits through program partnerships and direct sales. The role evaluates portfolio performance and implements strategies to meet profitability, retention, growth, and written-premium goals. It supports annual planning, agency-partner accountability, underwriting tools and practices, regulatory compliance, market awareness, strategic case management, and the development and performance of underwriting staff. Travel is required.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent experience.
- 10+ years of related underwriting work experience.
- Excellent knowledge of employer stop loss (ESL) and ESL underwriting, with a focus on captives and specialty arrangements.
- Advanced knowledge of underwriting philosophy and techniques, and state and federal filing regulations and guidelines.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- High-level communication and analytical skills to pursue new business and manage a significant renewal book against assigned profitability goals.
- Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong leadership and management skills.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask while emphasizing quality and customer service.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
Nice To Haves
- Industry designations applicable to the area of specialization.
- Knowledge of Connexure.
- Experience underwriting captives and/or specialty employer stop loss.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate portfolio performance using profitability, retention, and growth metrics; advise on strategic changes and oversee execution of portfolio improvements.
- Champion information sharing and drive initiatives, efficiencies, and results.
- Lead and motivate the underwriting team to promote consistent underwriting, profitable results, and sustained growth.
- Implement strategies to achieve department profitability, retention, and written-premium goals in conjunction with the Vice President.
- Help develop annual business goals for assigned agents and producers; analyze results and maintain accountability of agency partners.
- Participate in strategic annual planning and drive training, initiatives, and projects.
- Demonstrate appropriate use of underwriting tools and coordinate with actuarial colleagues on tool development, testing, and maintenance.
- Maintain underwriting rules, risk-management principles, and regulatory compliance with applicable corporate requirements and state and federal legislation.
- Provide feedback to senior management to support the development of underwriting policies and procedures.
- Monitor market trends, products, participants, and competitive practices, and identify emerging threats to the department.
- Clearly articulate the department’s value proposition.
- Manage direct reports’ block renewal strategies using pricing tools, producer analytics, and information from CFSL sales personnel.
- Advise on producer assignments and work with direct reports to distribute workloads appropriately.
- Make independent decisions within underwriting authority and maintain proper file documentation.
- Ensure direct reports operate within guidelines.
- Manage a strategic caseload of new business and renewals.
- Conduct team meetings, individual check-ins, and regular performance discussions with underwriting staff.
- Develop a high-performance culture by building sales-oriented, technically strong underwriters and providing leadership, support, and guidance, with particular focus on earlier-career underwriters.
- Drive performance excellence through goal setting, quality feedback, and performance appraisals.
- Create a productive working environment that encourages innovation and personal growth.
- Model the A&H culture, values, and C&F core competencies within the team.
- Travel as required.
Benefits
- Flexible work arrangements.
- Competitive compensation package.
- Generous 401(k) employer match.
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer matching.
- Generous paid time off.
- Health, dental, and vision benefits.
- Wellness programs focused on physical and mental wellbeing for employees and their families.
- Tuition reimbursement, industry-related certifications, and professional training.
- Matching donation program and volunteer opportunities.
- Employee-driven corporate giving.
- Potential eligibility to participate in discretionary equity-based compensation and/or performance-based variable pay programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
