Zonal Underwriting Officer, Middle Market

Title: Zonal Underwriting Officer, Middle Market (Central) Location: United States Job Description: Our Middle Market team is currently seeking a Zonal Underwriting Officer for our Central Zone. This position reports directly to the Chief Underwriting Officer for Middle Market. Position Overview In this critical individual contributor role, you will formally guide, mentor, and coach underwriters in both technical and professional skills. You will support the Field Underwriting leadership team to execute regional business plans, business unit strategies, and corporate initiatives. Your focus areas will be portfolio management, assisting new business growth, developing talent, and maintaining underwriting quality. You will ensure underwriting excellence by making risk-based decisions within authority grant, adhering to company guidelines and regulatory requirements, and achieving profitable growth while upholding underwriting integrity. You must demonstrate comprehension of the most complex technical underwriting issues and be capable of guiding and developing Underwriters through the underwriting and administrative processes/workflows to properly manage those issues. You will work closely with internal team members to provide high-quality service and support in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess underwriting referrals for risk acceptability in line with underwriting guidelines, corporate policies, and compliance standards. Within your authority, approve, decline, or adjust recommendations. Escalate complex or out-of-authority accounts to the relevant stakeholders.
• Provides expert guidance to underwriters in reviewing complex insurance applications and other relevant documents to determine acceptability, ensuring appropriate pricing and policy structure.
• Offers clear, detailed, and timely feedback/recommendations, ensuring all stakeholders understand the reasoning behind underwriting decisions.
• Collaborate with the underwriting team to clarify and educate on guidelines, strategy, and direction to ensure understanding.
• Oversee Risk Solutions utilization and open recommendation management, engaging with field leaders on corrective actions as necessary.
• Identify and assess potential risks associated with specific industries, geographies, or lines of business, and develop necessary mitigation strategies.
• Analyze data, market trends, and risk factors to collaborate with field leadership in developing and implementing effective underwriting strategies. Stay informed on industry developments, regulatory changes, and emerging risks that could impact the underwriting process.
• Mentor and train underwriters, providing guidance and technical expertise to develop their underwriting skills.
• Collaborate with regional field leadership and Learning & Development teams on training and development opportunities for the field underwriting team.
• Oversee underwriting quality through self-audit, branch audit and corporate audit processes, presenting findings and opportunities to the field leadership team. Complete self-audits monthly to assess underwriting quality, including timeliness and completeness of file documentation by underwriting team.
• Deliver exceptional customer service by promptly addressing inquiries, ensuring a seamless underwriting process. Share feedback on operational workflows, including recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company-specific standards, policies, and procedures.

Core Competencies, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
• 10+ years Underwriting experience, with a minimum of 5 years of experience underwriting Middle Market accounts
• 10+ years of experience driving Agency relationships resulting in profitable new and renewal business
• Extensive underwriting experience, deep understanding of the commercial insurance industry including Middle Market dynamics and overall business strategy
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills with great attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively explain underwriting decisions and collaborate with internal stakeholders
• In-depth understanding of commercial insurance products, underwriting guidelines, pricing strategies, and regulatory requirements
• Able to effectively coach and develop talent
• Able to handle complex underwriting scenarios, prioritize tasks, and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Able to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment; able to confidently influence others

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