Team Lead, Underwriting Assistants

Berkley•Minneapolis, MN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Berkley Human Services, a Berkley Company, is devoted to meeting the needs of Human Services Organizations. Our insurance policies are written through our Berkley affiliates, each of which is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company with a Financial Category of XV. We offer property and casualty coverages designed for the unique operational aspects of social service organizations. Our Human Services Program dates back to 1989, and has continuously evolved to meet the unique needs of the market we serve. We insure both nonprofit and for-profit social service organizations, such as child daycare, sheltered workshops, group homes, senior citizen centers, senior independent living, schools, counseling services, YMCAs, YWCAs, and Boys & Girls Clubs. This role supports the operations and leadership within the underwriting department. The Team Lead will oversee the activities of underwriting assistants, ensure the accuracy and efficiency of processes, and contribute to achieving team goals. They will assist the underwriting department through the handling of limited exposure accounts and to complete underwriting functions based on the underwriting guidelines and Letter of Authority. The role involves rating and issuing assigned accounts and providing functional support to underwriters. The Team Lead will assist the Underwriting Director in managing day-to-day operations of the underwriting assistants, provide guidance and mentorship to team members, and review and approve documentation prepared by underwriting assistants for completeness and compliance. Coordination with underwriters and other departments to resolve inquiries and streamline workflows, monitoring team performance, and implementing strategies for continuous improvement are key aspects of this position. The role also includes conducting training sessions to enhance team knowledge and skills in underwriting practices and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies. The Team Lead will handle new and/or renewal accounts, review submission material, assess risk, and determine appropriate terms. Processing assigned Automatic and non-Automatic renewals within delegated authority, following specific instructions of the underwriter, reviewing applications from agents, and obtaining missing information are also part of the responsibilities. The role requires referring to an underwriter or underwriting manager when outside assistant underwriter authority, preparing proposals for agents, and following up on all quotations to verify account status. Ordering inspections as needed, maintaining records, preparing required reports, meeting or communicating with agents/marketing personnel, and acting as a liaison between independent agents, insurance company, claims adjusters, and other concerned parties are also included. Maintaining and updating files for underwriting reviews, rating and processing business, setting up policy orders and instructions for issuance, handling endorsement requests within delegated authority, and handling routine inquiries from agents are also expected. The role may perform other functions as assigned.

Requirements

5 years of experience in insurance underwriting or a related administrative role.
Strong knowledge of underwriting principles and documentation procedures.
Proficient in relevant software and tools used in the underwriting process.
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to lead, motivate, and mentor team members.
Above average mathematical skills.
ISO Commercial Multi-line rating knowledge and experience.
Strong PC and keyboarding skills.

Responsibilities

Support the operations and leadership within the underwriting department.
Oversee the activities of underwriting assistants, ensure the accuracy and efficiency of processes, and contribute to achieving team goals.
Assist underwriting department through the handling of limited exposure accounts and to complete underwriting functions based on the underwriting guidelines and Letter of Authority.
Rate and issue assigned accounts and provide functional support to underwriters.
Assist the Underwriting Director in managing day-to-day operations of the underwriting assistants.
Provide guidance and mentorship to team members to ensure accuracy and productivity.
Review and approve documentation prepared by underwriting assistants for completeness and compliance.
Coordinate with underwriters and other departments to resolve inquiries and streamline workflows.
Monitor team performance and implement strategies for continuous improvement.
Conduct training sessions to enhance team knowledge and skills in underwriting practices.
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies.
Assist in preparing reports and presentations for senior leadership as needed.
Handle new and/or renewal accounts, as assigned by underwriters or manager.
Review new submission material, assess risk and determine appropriate terms.
Process assigned Automatic and non-Automatic renewals within delegated authority.
Follow specific instructions of the underwriter.
Review applications from agents and obtain missing information.
Refer to underwriter or underwriting manager when outside assistant underwriter authority.
Prepare proposals for agents.
Follow up on all quotations in order to verify account status.
Following guidelines or instructions, order inspections as needed for underwriting of risk.
Maintain records and prepare required reports, as necessary.
Meet or communicate with agents/marketing personnel.
Maintain contact with and act as liaison between independent agents, insurance company, claims adjusters and other concerned parties in administering accounts where necessary.
Maintain and update files for underwriting reviews.
Rate and process business as assigned, to include manual, computer and experience rating.
Set up policy order and instructions for issuance by Operations team.
Handle endorsement requests within delegated authority.
Handle routine inquiries from agents.
May perform other functions as assigned.