Underwriting Center Underwriting Manager

UFG Insurance•Cedar Rapids, IA

43d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Underwriting Center Manager will be responsible for directly managing a team of approximately 6 - 9 underwriters. This role includes day-to-day people leadership, workflow and process management, referral underwriting, and problem-solving to ensure their team and the underwriting center team achieves its objectives and goals. In addition to oversight of their underwriters' work, this role will include some direct underwriting responsibilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
7+ years of commercial lines insurance underwriting experience preferred.
Solutions-oriented leader with the ability to identify, analyze and resolve problems, motivate and develop staff, recognize and meet customer needs
Proven ability to influence and mentor others through personal leadership.
Advanced knowledge of the broad range of business insured by UFG.
Technical expertise in underwriting with strong knowledge of risk appetite and evaluation.
Ability to communicate difficult messages effectively and concisely through both written and verbal communication channels.
Ability to exhibit strong emotional intelligence, leading by example for team members.
Excellent negotiation skills and ability to successfully collaborate with internal and external partners in a tactful and diplomatic manner.
Ability and willingness to make decisions and accept responsibility.
Must be self-starting, organized and able to work autonomously.
Familiarity with all related Commercial Lines functions (i.e., corporate underwriting, underwriting, risk control, premium audit, and marketing).
Advanced risk evaluation skills and insurance contract knowledge.
Strong customer orientation and ability to build and maintain successful relationships within the company and with external contacts.

Nice To Haves

4-year college degree preferred.
Completion of or actively working towards AU, CIC, or CPCU designation preferred.

Responsibilities

Actively assist with the review and analysis of the portfolio to ensure progress toward key business objectives.
Provide subject matter expertise on systems, processes, and procedures to Underwriting Center team members.
Ensure team members' execution of sound risk analysis, pricing decisions and referrals that achieve target growth, retention, and profit goals.
Perform regular quality audit file reviews
Provide exceptional service to agency partners with timely and professional service.
Collaborate with Field Underwriting, Underwriting Support, Sales and Distribution, Risk Control, Legal, Claims, and other internal partners to ensure optimal stakeholder management.
Conduct training for team members and provide guidance, mentoring, and coaching.
Assist leading the team through change by collaborating with Underwriting Center leadership.
Manage staff in achievement of service and production goals while ensuring compliance, underwriting documentation, and performance standards are achieved, including execution of underwriting initiatives from the Business Unit and Line of Business leaders.
Collaborate with underwriting center leadership on hiring, training, onboarding, and development of Underwriting Center team members through regular conversations, goal setting, and KPI (Key Performance Indicators) tracking within the UFG performance management framework.
Monitor the workloads of Underwriting Center Underwriters and make appropriate adjustments as needed to ensure all transactions are processed within company established service standards.
Serve as the first point of contact for direct reports as well as a referral authority as needed for the Underwriting Center team.
As the workflow allows, profitably underwrite renewal business through risk selection, pricing, contractual integrity, and account management, in accordance with delegated authority, ensuring compliance.
Develop, analyze, and evaluate information and exposure for lower premium risks.
Document assigned files with underwriting thought process.
Properly classify and price risk commensurate with exposures and controls.
All other duties as assigned