Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager

Western National Group & Umialik Insurance•Seattle, WA

1d•$125,000 - $170,000

About The Position

Western National Insurance Group is seeking a Manager, Commercial Lines Underwriting to lead its commercial lines underwriting function. The role is responsible for driving profitable growth, developing underwriting talent, and maintaining strong agency relationships. It oversees underwriting strategies and operations to support a balanced, profitable, and high-quality commercial lines book while advancing company objectives and agency management initiatives. The manager leads and develops underwriting staff, serves as a referral underwriter on complex decisions, and works with agents, internal partners, and customers to support business objectives. The position monitors market and industry developments, analyzes regional underwriting performance, and helps improve underwriting processes, policies, and operational efficiency. The role may require travel to agency offices as needed, up to 25% of the time. The targeted annual hiring range is $125,000–$170,000. Western National offers flexible work arrangements, including hybrid and remote options, designed to balance individual, job, department, and company needs.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge of commercial lines underwriting concepts, industry best practices, and standards.
Previous experience in a people leadership role.
Ability to coach, direct, develop, and retain employees.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to evaluate complex information and make sound business decisions.
Ability to multitask, prioritize competing responsibilities, and solve complex problems.
Strong relationship-building, communication, and negotiation skills.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, demonstrate initiative, and make decisions within established authority levels.
Experience analyzing business performance and identifying opportunities for profitable growth.
Bachelor's degree in insurance, finance, or a related field, or equivalent related experience.

Nice To Haves

CPCU, AU, or CIC designation.
Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Experience with ImageRight or a similar document imaging platform.
Basic to intermediate knowledge of Guidewire or a similar policy administration system.
Strong business analytics skills and the ability to translate underwriting data into actionable strategies.
Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with agency partners and internal stakeholders.
Ability to travel to agency offices as needed, up to 25% of the time.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement underwriting strategies for a balanced, profitable, high-quality commercial lines book.
Lead, coach, develop, and retain underwriting staff to achieve company, departmental, and individual performance goals.
Serve as a referral underwriter, providing technical guidance and support on complex underwriting decisions.
Identify opportunities to promote Western National products and services and grow profitable business.
Develop and execute strategies to capitalize on market opportunities and manage agency relationships.
Build and maintain relationships with agents, internal business partners, and external customers.
Monitor marketplace trends, competitive developments, and emerging industry issues through participation in the insurance community.
Develop, review, and analyze reports on regional underwriting operations and take appropriate underwriting and rate actions.
Participate in initiatives to improve underwriting processes, policies, and operational efficiency.
Interpret and execute underwriting policies and guidelines in alignment with company objectives.
Assign and approve underwriting authority levels and make decisions within established guidelines.
Analyze complex underwriting challenges, identify trends, and implement solutions.
Communicate and negotiate with agents, business partners, and stakeholders to support positive business outcomes.
Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.