Director, Premium Audit Operations

Encova Mutual Insurance Group.; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 108,812 - 174,099; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance and Benefits

Hybrid Work Schedule

Bonus Potential

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Encova Mutual Insurance Group in Columbus, OH is seeking a Director or AVP to lead Premium Audit Operations, guiding a high-performing team across field, phone, and mail audits. The role partners with stakeholders, optimizes vendor relationships, and drives audit quality and efficiency.

The posted compensation range is for the Director level and the company notes a hybrid work schedule; payroll registered states may allow home-based work across multiple states.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; commensurate experience may be considered.
• Minimum of two years of management experience preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in insurance premium audit practices, systems, and workflow procedures preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Premium Audit operations for field, mail and phone audits.
• Coach and mentor auditors to achieve production, quality and service goals.
• Coordinate with underwriting and finance to resolve audit-related issues.
• Manage external vendor relationships and ensure compliance with company guidelines.
• Develop and implement premium audit strategies, policies and processes.

Skills

Team Leadership

Audit Operations

Stakeholder Management

Vendor Management

Data Analysis

Regulatory Knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

Job description

The salary range for this job posting is $108,812.00 - $174,099.00 annually + bonus + benefits.

Pay Type: Salary The above represents the full salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay and job title, we'll consider your location, education, experience, and other job-related factors, and will fall within the stated range. Your recruiter can share more information about the specific salary range during the hiring process.

Role Summary

As Director, Premium Audit Operations, you will guide a high-performing team, influence enterprise initiatives, and drive continuous improvement across field, phone, and mail audit functions. This is an opportunity for a strategic and technically skilled leader to partner with key stakeholders, optimize vendor relationships, and elevate audit quality and efficiency. We are open to hiring at either a Director or AVP level depending on candidate qualifications. The compensation range posted is for the Director level job role only. Preferred location is a hybrid work schedule from our Columbus, Ohio office but we are open to considering well qualified candidates to work home-based in any state where we are payroll registered as seen below.

Encova is only able to employ associates who reside and work within specific U.S. states. Our current policies are based on the laws in states in which we are registered for payroll. Our current footprint includes: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Job Objective

The Director, Premium Audit Operations is responsible for leading the Premium Audit function and ensuring audit operations are executed effectively, consistently and in alignment with Commercial Lines and enterprise objectives. The position provides operational direction for Premium Audit associates by overseeing work that improves quality, productivity, service and efficiency; supporting the development and application of technical competencies within the commercial lines Premium Audit function; and delivering services that support business team goals and competitive marketplace expectations. This position directly manages a team of field, mail and phone auditors and oversees the effective use of external premium audit vendors. The Director provides direction to associates responsible for ensuring vendor work is completed in accordance with company guidelines. Associates may work in one of Encova’s offices and/or remotely and conduct audits on commercial lines policies, including general liability, auto/equipment dealer, composite rated auto and workers’ compensation including large complex workers’ compensation accounts with loss sensitive programs. This position establishes and monitors production, service and quality standards for each audit method and develops goals, tactics and individual associate objectives that support Commercial Lines and company initiatives. The Director coaches, trains and mentors associates regarding performance standards and technical aspects specific to premium audit; analyzes quantitative and qualitative business indicators; recommends and implements continuous improvements; and makes technical and operational decisions in accordance with corporate goals and management direction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Functional Management

Effectively communicate premium audit decisions to agents and insureds. Coach, mentor and motivate staff, including remote associates, and perform necessary staff management functions to meet production goals and ensure compliance and performance standards are achieved. Conduct in-person visits or regular phone/video contacts with staff, as appropriate, to assure adherence to company practices and monitor job knowledge and technical proficiency. Review performance and quality measures on all auditors to ensure they meet the established standards. Assure quality audits through review of audit worksheets and quality control programs. Implement premium audit strategies, policies, workflows, processes and standards; ensure effective utilization by staff and vendors. Develop or coordinate training materials and provide training as needed to strengthen technical capabilities and operational consistency. Provide direction and technical guidance to auditors on complex audits and escalated premium audit matters. Analyze premium audit issues in support of varied lines of business and partner with underwriting management to resolve audit-related concerns. Responsible for performance management, approving time sheets and expense accounts. Provide management information as necessary and utilize resources in a cost-effective manner. Review and resolve audit disputes in accordance with regulatory and company guidelines. Handle complex premium audits and escalated audit reviews as necessary.

Operations Management

Contribute to the development and implementation of premium audit strategic direction, best practices and business plan objectives. Provide premium audit expertise to business unit leaders and other stakeholders regarding policy, strategies and tactics, technical disciplines, service development, processes and workflows, automation, business rules, regulatory compliance and market conduct matters. Provide technical consultation in areas of expertise and serve as a subject matter resource for premium audit operations. Participate in the development and application of models and methodologies to optimize the types of premium audits performed and support an efficient, profitable and competitive market approach. Support tactical product and service development initiatives based on trend monitoring, stakeholder feedback and review of marketplace competitors. Present to and train internal and external stakeholders on premium audit service requirements and associated processes, based on a solid understanding of the impact to functional disciplines; develop appropriate supporting materials. Investigate compliance and regulatory issues and recommend appropriate business solutions. Participate in the budgetary planning process and manage assigned department resources within budget.

Other Functions

Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field is preferred; commensurate experience may be considered.
• Professional insurance designations relevant to area of expertise desired.
• Minimum of two years of management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead operational teams, manage performance standards, influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive continuous improvement initiatives preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in insurance premium audit practices, systems, and workflow procedures preferred.
• Working knowledge of ISO, NCCI, PCRB/DCRB, Independent state, company, and statutory audit requirements.
• Experience in NCCI/Independent state workers’ compensation classification and regulatory systems from an underwriting or premium audit functional perspective preferred.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for use in internal team interaction and in collaboration with other business units for information gathering, reporting results, training, etc.
• Strong customer service orientation with ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Excellent analytical, research, documentation and writing skills.
• Effective decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to organize work and manage multiple projects with minimal direction.
• Ability to analyze strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches, and to implement solutions and/or make improvements.
• Ability to read and interpret financial statements.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of business ethics.
• Intermediate to advanced PC skills required, including auditing software, Microsoft Word and Excel.

This position has been evaluated in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Encova Insurance makes every effort to reasonably accommodate disabilities to permit performance of the essential functions and candidates who need such accommodation are encouraged to seek it.

This description reflects the nature and level of work performed by associates in this position. It is not an all-inclusive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required. It provides an accurate overview of the work and skills needed to perform this position. Because job content may change from time to time, Encova Insurance reserves the right to add and/or delete functions from this job as it deems necessary for business reasons.

Why Join Us

Ready to join our team? At Encova Insurance, we firmly believe that our associates drive our company's success by delivering unrivaled service to our customers. With success in mind, we make an ongoing effort to provide an environment that offers challenging, stimulating, and financially rewarding opportunities. Join us to discover a work experience where you can learn and grow to your fullest potential.

Benefits

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Company-provided life and income protection plans
• Eligibility to participate in a company incentive bonus program
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - 100% company match up to 7% on annual salary
• Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, and Floating Holidays
• Flexible Work Arrangements - Hybrid and remote depending on the role

We believe that happy, healthy associates are the foundation of great work. Join us and thrive both professionally and personally.

Encova Insurance is an EOE/E-Verify employer.

Encova our associates are the heart of our business. Our exceptional culture makes it a special place to work and gives us a unique advantage. Building and sustaining this culture requires intentional effort from everyone in the company. We believe that achieving results and building trust are interrelated. Through connection, character and competence, we build trusting relationships with associates, agents and policyholders to achieve excellent results. Through our collaborative team structure we find professional and personal growth. We never stop learning and always seek to improve ourselves. At Encova, we know that inclusion and belonging foster our competitive edge by giving voice to every individual’s unique talent and perspective; and we believe that when a condition of equity exists, all associates can contribute to the fullest extent of their knowledge, skills and ability.