Senior Corporate Underwriter, Middle Market

Merchants • Buffalo, NY

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Merchants Insurance Group, a leading Property & Casualty insurer in the Northeast, is seeking a Senior Corporate Underwriter, Middle Market to join their team. Located in their Corporate Headquarters in Buffalo, New York, this role is a member of the Corporate Underwriting Team. The position is responsible for leading, consulting, developing, and training regional underwriting staff while fulfilling Merchants’ promise to customers through strong agency relationships, sound underwriting decisions, and effective collaboration across regional teams to support strategic initiatives and drive results. This position provides underwriting technical support, compliance guidelines, and referral assistance to the regional offices and internal home office departments for the Middle Market Segment. Merchants Insurance Group is rated A- (Excellent) with a stable outlook by A.M. Best and is consistently recognized as a top employer and high-performing organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience.
• 6+ years of Middle Market Underwriting experience
• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, or mentoring underwriting staff.
• Proven track record of managing a profitable book of business.
• Experience with multi-state middle market commercial lines coverages and policies.
• Strong understanding of leadership skills including coaching, team building, and conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of Middle Market coverages and policies in Merchants’ territory.
• Ability to professionally interact with agents, customers, and colleagues.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, verbal and written communication skills including negotiation, presentation, and influence.
• Ability to investigate, gather facts, and analyze coverage.
• Innovative and continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage heavy workloads, and handle interpersonal conflict.
• Ability to travel to agencies and regional offices, including occasional overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

• Professional designations such as CPCU, CIC, or equivalent strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads, coaches, and develops a team of Middle Market Underwriters, fostering a high-performance culture aligned with corporate values and guidelines.
• Cultivate and strengthen strategic relationships with agents and brokers, representing the organization with professionalism and market expertise.
• Travel as needed for agency engagement and business development.
• Oversee the selection and retention of profitable Middle Market business through sound underwriting practices and risk analysis.
• Provides guidance and decision-making on complex risks and referrals within established letter of authority.
• Ensure adherence to underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements, and company strategy through ongoing file quality reviews and audits.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across underwriting, claims, actuarial, and operations to support enterprise initiatives and business priorities.
• Contribute to the development and execution of Middle Market strategies, including product, pricing, and market positioning.

Benefits

• Welcoming and positive work environment.
• Colleague Appreciation events.
• Flexible work arrangements, including flex scheduling and summer hours.
• Hybrid work schedule.
• Competitive pay scale.
• Company bonus program.
• Generous paid time off package.
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability
• 401(k) employer match amount is 100% up to 6% of your annual contributions.
• Tuition Reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior