Underwriting Supervisor

Utica First Insurance Company•Oriskany, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Commercial Lines Underwriting Supervisor is responsible for leading and developing a team of commercial lines underwriters to ensure profitable growth, underwriting discipline, and exceptional service. This role oversees day-to-day underwriting operations, provides technical guidance, ensures compliance with company guidelines, and partners with sales, operations, and leadership to execute underwriting strategy.

Requirements

Leadership and people development
Decision-making within authority and accountability
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Organization and time management
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Customer and agency relationship management
Adaptability in a changing market environment
Strong underwriting judgment and analytical skills
Working knowledge of underwriting systems, rating platforms, and policy administration systems
Ability to analyze loss data and financial information
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook); experience with reporting tools preferred
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)
5+ years of commercial lines underwriting experience
2+ years of underwriting leadership, supervisory, or senior-level underwriting experience
Broad knowledge of commercial lines products (e.g., BOP, Package, Auto, GL, Property, WC, Umbrella)

Nice To Haves

CPCU, ARM, AU, or other relevant insurance designations

Responsibilities

Supervise, coach, and mentor a team of commercial lines underwriters across various experience levels
Set performance expectations, conduct regular one-on-ones, and complete annual performance reviews
Identify training needs and lead ongoing underwriting education and skill development
Foster a collaborative, accountability-driven, and service-oriented team culture
Review and approve underwriting decisions within assigned authority, including new business, renewals, endorsements, and non-renewals
Ensure underwriting decisions align with company appetite, pricing adequacy, and risk selection standards
Monitor compliance with internal underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements, and audit standards
Escalate complex, high-risk, or out-of-appetite submissions as appropriate
Manage workflow to ensure timely turnaround and service level adherence
Monitor portfolio performance, including loss ratios, premium growth, and retention
Analyze underwriting data and trends to identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions
Partner with underwriting leadership to support profitability, growth, and retention goals
Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Claims, and Operations to support distribution strategies and customer needs
Serve as a point of contact for agency relationships related to underwriting questions and escalations
Support product, pricing, and process improvement initiatives
Assist in implementing underwriting strategies, initiatives, and organizational changes
Participate in system enhancements, automation efforts, and workflow optimization
Contribute feedback on underwriting guidelines, appetite changes, and market conditions