Commercial Lines Underwriting Director

Questpro; Illinois; Remote; USD 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking insurance company as a Commercial Lines Underwriting Director, where you'll lead a dynamic underwriting team and drive significant change in a territory full of potential. This pivotal role offers the chance to build relationships, mentor talent, and implement effective underwriting strategies. With strong support from collaborative leadership, you'll enjoy an excellent work/life balance in a primarily remote position. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and grow in your career, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Pension plan

Work/life balance

Opportunity for significant impact

Qualifications

• 10+ years of commercial lines underwriting experience required.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the branch underwriting process.
• Develop and enforce underwriting guidelines specific to the branch territory.
• Collaborate with team members to establish performance goals.

Skills

Underwriting and risk analysis

Problem-solving skills

Decision-making skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Customer service skills

Public speaking abilities

Education

Bachelor's degree in insurance or business administration

Job description

Title: Commercial Lines Underwriting Director

Are you the rare insurance professional who sees opportunity where others see challenges? Do you thrive when building and revitalizing teams? This is a career-defining role for an underwriting leader ready to make their mark!

Location: Remote, IL

Type: Questpro - Contingent

Job #: 21142

Overview

We're partnered with a well-established, A-rated national carrier seeking a Commercial Underwriting Director. You'll have the support and autonomy to transform our underwriting operation in a territory ripe with untapped potential. The ideal candidate isn't just looking for a job—they're looking for a mission to drive meaningful change, rebuild agency relationships, and develop a high-performing team.

This role offers what many leaders search their entire careers for: the chance to point to tangible results and say, “I built that. I made that difference.”

Location

Illinois-based (Chicago preferred, but open to candidates throughout the state); primarily remote with occasional travel to Chicago office.

Essential Functions

1. Lead and direct the branch underwriting process, enforcing guidelines and procedures established by Corporate Office Underwriting.
2. Develop and enforce underwriting guidelines and procedures specific to the branch territory, modeling smart and effective underwriting practices for all lines of business and classes.
3. Set and implement strategies to address challenges to profit and communicate these strategies throughout the underwriting department.
4. Answer questions, share recommendations for complex situations, and serve as the subject matter expert for the branch, making final decisions on complex or high-risk accounts.
5. Oversee and direct the underwriting department team, focusing on both long-term and short-term success.
6. Lead a profitable growth sales culture within the underwriting team, including visiting agency partners and participating in industry events.
7. Collaborate with team members to establish performance goals, monitor progress, conduct reviews, and provide coaching.
8. Partner with HR to identify training needs and ensure delivery.
9. Work with Underwriting Supervisors to oversee workloads and workflows to meet branch objectives.
10. Develop and foster agency relationships to grow profitable partnerships and rehabilitate unprofitable ones.
11. Collaborate with the Vice President to determine underwriting strategies and establish goals.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to make an immediate, significant impact in a key region
• Strong support from passionate, collaborative leadership
• Excellent work/life balance in a primarily remote role
• Comprehensive benefits package including pension
• Exciting growth and transformation period in Illinois
• Chance to build something meaningful in a market with tremendous untapped potential

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in insurance, business administration, or equivalent experience
• Ten years of commercial lines underwriting experience
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Superior underwriting and risk analysis knowledge
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to oversee multiple projects and make decisions under challenging circumstances
• Ability to communicate technical ideas effectively to business customers
• Strong leadership and motivational skills
• Excellent communication skills for products, procedures, and planning
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Effective public speaking abilities
• Willingness to travel occasionally; valid driver’s license required if driving

Additional Information

• Seniority level: Director
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Finance and Sales
• Industries: Insurance