Central Region Commercial Lines Underwriting Director

EMC Insurance; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 118,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic leader to drive underwriting excellence. In this pivotal role, you will lead a dedicated team, ensuring adherence to corporate guidelines while fostering profitable growth. You will engage with agency partners, develop strategic initiatives, and provide vital coaching to your team. This position offers the chance to make a significant impact in a collaborative environment, where your expertise will guide the underwriting department towards success. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to improving lives through effective leadership and innovative practices.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of commercial lines underwriting experience required.
• Proven leadership experience with a focus on team success.

Responsibilities

• Lead the branch underwriting process and enforce guidelines.
• Develop and implement strategies for profitable growth.

Skills

Underwriting and risk analysis

Problem-solving

Leadership

Communication skills

Customer service

Project management

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in insurance or business administration

CPCU designation or other underwriting-related designation

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At EMC, we’re all about working together to make an impact. As part of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to grow, contribute, and gain experience that matters. We strive to be caring leaders, close partners, and responsive experts—always supporting each other to do our best work. Join us, and let’s improve lives together.

This position will be open to candidates located physically in the Chicago Land area.

Essential Functions:

• Leads and directs the branch underwriting process while enforcing guidelines and procedures established by Corporate Office Underwriting.
• Develops and enforces underwriting guidelines and procedures specific to their branch territory and models smart and effective underwriting practices for individual accounts, all lines of business, and different classes.
• Sets and implements strategies to address challenges to profit and communicates strategies throughout the underwriting department.
• Answers questions, shares recommendations for complex situations, such as difficult accounts, communication strategies, or problematic agency relationships, and explains the rationale for recommendations and serves as the subject matter expert for the branch, making final decisions on complex or high-risk accounts.
• Oversees and directs the underwriting department team, focusing on both long-term and short-term success.
• Special consideration on ability to lead a profitable growth sales culture within our underwriting team, including leading by example by being out physically visiting our agency partners and involved with key industry association events.
• Collaborates with team members to establish performance goals, monitors status, conducts reviews, and provides coaching.
• Partners closely with the Branch Human Resources Business Partner Manager to identify training needs for the department and individuals and ensure that it is delivered.
• Partners with Underwriting Supervisors to oversee workloads and workflow processes to ensure that branch objectives can be met.
• Directs existing and develops and fosters new agency relationships to grow profitable relationships and rehabilitate unprofitable and low growth relationships.
• Collaborates with Branch Vice President to determine underwriting strategy and practices and establishes short-term and long-term underwriting goals.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in insurance or business administration or equivalent relevant experience.
• Ten years of commercial lines underwriting experience.
• Previous supervisory/leadership experience.
• CPCU designation or other underwriting-related designation(s) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Superior knowledge of underwriting and risk analysis.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions.
• Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office and social media.
• Ability to oversee multiple projects at one time and make decisions under challenging circumstances.
• Excellent ability to translate technical ideas into more general terms for business customers.
• Ability to explore new and different processes, services, technologies, and partnerships to enhance EMC’s business.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent leadership skills and ability to motivate team.
• Excellent ability to effectively communicate products, procedures, business planning, and system information.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups.
• Occasional travel; a valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle report per company standards will be required if driving.

The hiring salary range for this position will vary based on geographic location, falling within $118,603-$170,001; or $130,774 - $187,434 range. A hiring range represents a subset of the full salary range. The actual salary will depend on several factors, including relevant education, skills, and experience of an applicant, geographic location, and business needs.

Our employment practices are in accordance with the laws that prohibit discrimination due to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, active military status, citizenship status, marital status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

All of our locations are tobacco free including in company vehicles.