Senior Underwriting Counsel (Central Region)

Essent Guaranty•Kansas City, MO

About The Position

Essent Group Ltd. (NYSE: ESNT) is a Bermuda-based holding company (collectively with its subsidiaries, "Essent") which serves the housing finance industry by offering private mortgage insurance, reinsurance, risk management products and title insurance and settlement services to mortgage lenders, borrowers, and investors to support homeownership. We are focused on managing risk and dedicated to serving as a strong and fair counterparty. As a company, we bring strong private capital and a commitment to risk management to the mortgage insurance industry. Title: Senior Title Underwriter Location: Central Region (Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) Responsible for underwriting decisions pertinent to residential and commercial properties located within assigned state and back-up underwriting support in additional jurisdictions as needed. Provides advisory guidance to associates, independent agents, and customers on underwritten files. Monitors and manages high liability approvals. As a dynamic and resourceful professional, we will rely on you to perform the following duties: Underwrite commercial and residential title closings. Assist independent and affiliated agent title and escrow officers on extraordinary issues, questions, and closing problems. Support Company efforts with assigned state regulators, rating agencies, and bureaus and licensing organizations. Review and approve high liability orders within maximum approved limits. Provide independent and affiliated agent training. Advise independent and affiliated agents regarding escrow and title closing issues. Respond to claim problems, advise the title, or escrow officers involved with Claims Department approval. Participate as requested by management in marketing and education efforts, including developing and making presentations to large and small groups, writing bulletins and articles for Essent Title and outside publications. Stay current and distribute to staff information regarding new laws and procedures. Participate in title industry associations, state, and local title organizations and related industry and state bar associations. Utilize underwriting standards and guidelines within delegated authority limits, to underwrite the issuance of title insurance. Provide guidance to company personnel in the performance of real estate settlement services. Issue underwriting standards and guidelines in accordance with established company processes. Manages staff to balance workloads and accomplish results through effective recruitment, selection, training, development, performance management, and recognition; holds direct reports accountable for developing staff competency in their areas of responsibility and meeting assigned goals and objectives. Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree with Juris Doctorate required.
7+ years of title insurance underwriting experience and real estate transactional background.
Ability to travel up to approximately 30%.
Supervisory responsibilities.
Continuing legal education requirements.
Member of Bar Association and license to practice law in at least one primary assigned state and willingness to secure license in additional states as warranted by corporate growth.
Account base is concentrated in a regional or state footprint.
Maintain flexible hours and work location.
Knowledge and familiarity of real estate law.
Knowledge of state specific real estate and title insurance law in assigned account base region.
Strong understanding of fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of real estate title and settlement process.
General knowledge of Federal and State regulations related to real estate title insurance and settlement services.
Understanding of underwriting real estate transactions for the issuance of title insurance policies.
Ability to collaborate and act decisively.
Knowledge of management principles and techniques with business and leadership skills.
Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritize and timely follow up.
Attention to detail and accuracy.

Responsibilities

Underwrite commercial and residential title closings.
Assist independent and affiliated agent title and escrow officers on extraordinary issues, questions, and closing problems.
Support Company efforts with assigned state regulators, rating agencies, and bureaus and licensing organizations.
Review and approve high liability orders within maximum approved limits.
Provide independent and affiliated agent training.
Advise independent and affiliated agents regarding escrow and title closing issues.
Respond to claim problems, advise the title, or escrow officers involved with Claims Department approval.
Participate as requested by management in marketing and education efforts, including developing and making presentations to large and small groups, writing bulletins and articles for Essent Title and outside publications.
Stay current and distribute to staff information regarding new laws and procedures.
Participate in title industry associations, state, and local title organizations and related industry and state bar associations.
Utilize underwriting standards and guidelines within delegated authority limits, to underwrite the issuance of title insurance.
Provide guidance to company personnel in the performance of real estate settlement services.
Issue underwriting standards and guidelines in accordance with established company processes.
Manages staff to balance workloads and accomplish results through effective recruitment, selection, training, development, performance management, and recognition; holds direct reports accountable for developing staff competency in their areas of responsibility and meeting assigned goals and objectives.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.