Senior Underwriter - Excess & Surplus

Columbia Insurance•Columbia, MO

10d

About The Position

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY The Senior Underwriter Excess & Surplus role is responsible for building, maintaining, and managing Ozark Specialty’s growing footprint within an assigned territory. This is achieved through forming meaningful agency relationships to solicit, underwrite, and price Excess & Surplus lines of business for our agency partners. The Senior Underwriter also acts as a peer leader within the department by training and mentoring new underwriters, leading market and industry research efforts, and being an integral resource/subject matter expert supporting companywide projects and initiatives. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS With administrative support from the assigned Assistant Underwriter, cultivate agency relationships to grow Columbia’s Excess & Surplus book of business through selecting/pricing new business and maintaining a profitable renewal book of business. Own agency development plans and pipeline quality, setting expectations for submission completeness and class focus. Assess the risk acceptability and price adequacy of each unique submission that falls outside of Columbia’s traditional, admitted, insurance appetite by consulting relevant resources, coordinating with agency partners, and exercising informed judgment to balance risk and profitability. Lead decision making on complex/high hazard classes, CAT exposed property schedules, manuscript endorsements, and layered/excess structures. Senior roles will have increased authority/autonomy beyond their non-senior counterparts. Approve guideline exceptions with documented rationale and coach underwriters on escalation standards. Set custom pricing and coverage terms for each submission opportunity and communicate complex underwriting decisions and rationale clearly to agencies. Determine rate adequacy targets and negotiate terms to achieve portfolio loss ratio goals. Identify and secure both property and liability facultative reinsurance, when necessary. Select reinsurance markets, negotiate facultative structures/terms, and document placement rationale. Lead the research and communication of emerging, compliance, regulatory, judicial, and legislative issues that may impact Columbia’s/Ozark’s book, state(s), or territory(ies) and build, lead, and execute underwriting strategies to address these developments. Translate insights into appetite statements, referral triggers, and class strategies. Synthesize competitive intel into actionable pricing/coverage playbooks and producer talking points; track win/loss reasons and adjust tactics. Lead the development of interpersonal relationships within your assigned agency plant to showcase the advantages of partnering with Ozark Specialty, facilitate partnerships, and consistently promote agency/partner accountability for results. Set and enforce agency performance goals (hit ratio, submission quality, growth mix) and conduct joint business planning. Work collaboratively with colleagues from multiple departments to consistently and efficiently cross market and support agency partners, serving as a knowledgeable resource to educate others on Ozark’s operational model and processes. Specifically, acts as the primary liaison for Columbia’s Niche Markets department who will have cross-functional underwriting programs. Deliver training/mentorship to underwriters and AUs; conduct periodic file reviews and coach to consistency Enhance knowledge of insurance and underwriting through continued educational opportunities, professional designations, and internal learning opportunities. Act as a resource for others when needed, and participate in or lead special projects, and administrative tasks. Own strategic initiatives (e.g., appetite refresh, CAT aggregation review, form modernization). Holds delegated binding authority and the ability to approve manuscript endorsements per company guidelines. Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in the commercial insurance industry, with strong knowledge of coverage, rates, and terms for General Liability and Property lines of business and demonstrated E&S underwriting of complex/nonadmitted risks.
Excellent interpersonal skills, together with solid written and oral communication skills, and a willingness to lead and train others.
Excellent computer skills (e.g., Excel, Word, SharePoint) and the ability and willingness to learn new skills/systems and demonstrate high accuracy output.
Strong problem solving, reasoning, and decision making skills with attention to detail.
The ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks while meeting established deadlines and quality standards.
Sound planning and organizational skills.
Proven team player, with an enthusiastic and positive personality
Ability to travel up to 50% for agency visits, industry events, or training sessions.
Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

Insurance Certification: INS 21, 22, 23, or relevant insurance coursework and/or insurance related designations such as CPCU and/or ASLI (Associate in Surplus Lines).
Experience negotiating facultative reinsurance and approving manuscript endorsements.
Prior mentoring/coaching responsibilities or leadership of cross functional underwriting projects.

Responsibilities

Cultivate agency relationships to grow Columbia’s Excess & Surplus book of business through selecting/pricing new business and maintaining a profitable renewal book of business.
Own agency development plans and pipeline quality, setting expectations for submission completeness and class focus.
Assess the risk acceptability and price adequacy of each unique submission that falls outside of Columbia’s traditional, admitted, insurance appetite by consulting relevant resources, coordinating with agency partners, and exercising informed judgment to balance risk and profitability.
Lead decision making on complex/high hazard classes, CAT exposed property schedules, manuscript endorsements, and layered/excess structures.
Approve guideline exceptions with documented rationale and coach underwriters on escalation standards.
Set custom pricing and coverage terms for each submission opportunity and communicate complex underwriting decisions and rationale clearly to agencies.
Determine rate adequacy targets and negotiate terms to achieve portfolio loss ratio goals.
Identify and secure both property and liability facultative reinsurance, when necessary.
Select reinsurance markets, negotiate facultative structures/terms, and document placement rationale.
Lead the research and communication of emerging, compliance, regulatory, judicial, and legislative issues that may impact Columbia’s/Ozark’s book, state(s), or territory(ies) and build, lead, and execute underwriting strategies to address these developments.
Translate insights into appetite statements, referral triggers, and class strategies.
Synthesize competitive intel into actionable pricing/coverage playbooks and producer talking points; track win/loss reasons and adjust tactics.
Lead the development of interpersonal relationships within your assigned agency plant to showcase the advantages of partnering with Ozark Specialty, facilitate partnerships, and consistently promote agency/partner accountability for results.
Set and enforce agency performance goals (hit ratio, submission quality, growth mix) and conduct joint business planning.
Work collaboratively with colleagues from multiple departments to consistently and efficiently cross market and support agency partners, serving as a knowledgeable resource to educate others on Ozark’s operational model and processes.
Deliver training/mentorship to underwriters and AUs; conduct periodic file reviews and coach to consistency
Enhance knowledge of insurance and underwriting through continued educational opportunities, professional designations, and internal learning opportunities.
Act as a resource for others when needed, and participate in or lead special projects, and administrative tasks.
Own strategic initiatives (e.g., appetite refresh, CAT aggregation review, form modernization).
Holds delegated binding authority and the ability to approve manuscript endorsements per company guidelines.
Other duties as assigned