Commercial Lines Underwriting Specialist

The Mutual Group; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K retirement plan with company’s 6%

Hybrid/remote options

Wellness program

Paid time off

Education assistance

Job summary

The Mutual Group in Des Moines, IA is seeking an Underwriting Specialist to manage a book of business, assess risk, and prepare quotes. You will build strong relationships with agents to drive profitable growth, under limited supervision, with a blend of hybrid or remote work.

The role emphasizes advanced underwriting concepts, effective communication, and collaboration with risk control and distribution teams to maintain service standards and achieve portfolio KPIs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance or related field preferred.
• Holding or working towards an insurance designation preferred (CPCU, IIA, etc.).
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in commercial underwriting, including one to three years in a property and casualty insurer.
• Experience writing business for churches or religious affiliated institutions preferred.
• Broad knowledge of terms, practices and regulations in the P&C insurance industry.
• Ability to apply advanced underwriting concepts and sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, select and price business with prescriptive terms of coverage.
• Communicate with Risk Control for inspections and service needs.
• Escalate referrals for higher level underwriters when needed.
• Meet service expectations and regulatory compliance for renewals.
• Develop relationships with distribution partners and conduct portfolio reviews.
• Assist in training and mentoring of new hires and staff.

Skills

Underwriting

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Excel (pivot tables, vlookups)

Customer service

Attention to numeric/details

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance or related field

Insurance designation (CPCU, IIA, etc.) preferred

Tools

Excel

Word/PowerPoint

Job description

Job Description

As an Underwriting Specialist, you are responsible for managing a book of business for profitability and growth. You will review both new and/or renewal business, assess risk of coverage, prepare quotes and respond to coverage questions, within the assigned authority level. In this role you will also build successful relationships with agents to drive increased, positive business flow. To be successful in this role you will work under limited supervision and exercise significant independent judgement in performing work. Based on location and requirements of the role, this position will either be a hybrid or a remote position.

Department

Field Underwriting

Work Arrangement

• Employees who live within 30 miles of the TMG home office are expected to follow a hybrid or in-office schedule. The initial training period may require additional in-office days.

Accountabilities

• Delivers profitable outcomes on less complex niche business through effective risk selection by:
  • Analyzing, selecting and profitably pricing business with prescriptive terms and conditions of coverage
  • Examining inspection reports, location, risk, financial and other available tools and reports to identify new or unresolved concerns
  • Communicating with Risk Control for inspections, follow ups and service needs for insureds
  • Driving corrective action or remediation strategies on renewal accounts
  • Escalating referrals, in a timely manner, on accounts that need additional review or approval by higher level underwriters
  • Adhering to service expectations and regulatory compliance by the timely release of renewals, non-renewals and conditional notices
• Accountable for achieving key performance indicators of the portfolio including:
  • Developing and furthering successful relationships with distribution partners within the portfolio by:
    • Having regularly scheduled portfolio review calls
    • Meeting voice of the customer guidelines
    • Limited travel to distribution partner offices
• Consistently meeting our voice of the customer standards
• Coordinating with distribution team to building pipeline, resolve issues, concerns or conflict and oversee change management
• Communicating regularly with portfolio team members on health of assigned agencies and market conditions that could impact the portfolio

Cultivate a High Performing Culture

• Superior customer service and business acumen
• Mentoring support staff throughout their career development.
• Conduct peer audits and approve underwriting decisions (LOAs) for lower authority levels.
• Assist in the training of new hires and internal promotions by providing continuous mentoring and feedback to foster successful employee development.
• Reviewing, mentoring, and approving referrals for lower authority level associates
• Perform other related work as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance or related field of study preferred.
• Holding or working towards an insurance designation preferred (CPCU, IIA, etc.).
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in commercial underwriting, including one to three years in a property and casualty insurance company.
• Experience writing business for churches or religious affiliated institutions preferred.
• Broad knowledge of common terms, practices, processes and regulations in the P&C insurance industry.
• An ability to consistently apply advanced underwriting concepts and practices within the P&C underwriting field.
• Adept at applying negotiating skills, reasonableness and exercising sound judgment in analysis and decision making processes.
• Ability to convey clear & concise information to others utilizing excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft products including a strong foundation in Excel (pivot tables, vlookups, etc.) for the purpose of strategic analysis.
• Strong attention to numeric and other details.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Organizational skills and ability to manage large work volume and meet tight deadlines.

Pay Range

Anticipated Hiring Range:

• $73,500 - $110,000 annual base salary depending on experience, qualifications, and geographic location
• 81,500 - $120,000 annual base salary depending on experience, qualifications, and geographic location in CA, CT, MA, NJ, NY, and PA

Benefits

We are proud to offer our full-time regular employees a robust benefits suite that includes:

• Competitive base salary plus incentive plans for eligible team members
• 401(K) retirement plan that includes a company match of up to 6% of your eligible salary
• Free basic life and AD&D, long-term disability and short-term disability insurance
• Medical, dental and vision plans to meet your unique healthcare needs
• Wellness incentives
• Generous time off program that includes personal, holiday and volunteer paid time off
• Flexible work schedules and hybrid/remote options for eligible positions
• Educational assistance

Bot-Filtering Mechanism

The Mutual Group uses a bot-filtering mechanism as part of its recruiting and hiring process. As a result, automated job applications or submissions may be rejected.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Mutual Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

• Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
• Your Rights Under USERRA

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation due to a disability at any stage of the employment application process should contact [e-mail].

Employment Verification

The Mutual Group participates in the E-Verify program and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. You are protected from employment discrimination based on your citizenship status and national origin.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

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