Executive Underwriter, Inland Marine

The Hanover Insurance Group; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401K with company match

Tuition reimbursement

PTO

Company holidays

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

The Hanover Insurance Group in Itasca, IL is seeking an experienced Executive Underwriter to lead Inland Marine underwriting efforts. This senior role oversees portfolio strategy, drives growth, and partners with leaders to ensure profitability and compliance.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of Inland Marine underwriting experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and the ability to coach staff while delivering results in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or experience equivalent; professional designations preferred.
• 10+ years of Inland Marine underwriting experience across multiple classes.
• Strong knowledge of underwriting, book management, marketing, and product development.
• Ability to coach underwriters and balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel by plane or car as needed.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite new business, renewal business, and endorsements for Inland Marine lines.
• Achieve financial targets for growth and profitability.
• Drive execution of plans and collaborate with leadership on strategy.
• Oversee junior underwriting staff on portfolio management and underwriting decisions.
• Ensure compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements.
• Develop new business opportunities and build partnerships with agents.

Skills

Inland Marine underwriting

Portfolio management

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or experience equivalent

Professional designations preferred

Job description

For more than 170 years, The Hanover has been committed to delivering on our promises and being there when it matters the most. We live our values every day, demonstrating we CARE through our values, Sustainability initiatives and inclusive corporate culture.

Hanover Marine team is seeking a sales-minded, collaborative, and dynamic Executive Underwriter to join our high performing team in Itasca, IL. This is a full time, exempt role. This is a hybrid opportunity.

We encourage all Inland Marine Underwriting professionals in the Midwest looking to join a dynamic & collaborative team to apply.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This role operates as the most experienced underwriter position and depending upon the business function may focus on production goals or supporting territories in driving underwriting excellence. Typically holds highest level of underwriting authority and works closely with leadership to drive underwriting and portfolio quality, sales and operations excellence, talent development, strategy development and execution. Provides technical insight and guidance to local team and leaders on accounts and execution of the strategy within the territory.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:

• Underwrite new business, renewal business, and endorsement referrals.
• Achieve financial targets for overall growth and profitability.
• Drives execution of plans to achieve results.
• Collaborates with and provides oversight to the junior underwriting staff on portfolio management and strategic underwriting decisions to ensure production, financial and underwriting objectives with respect to profitability are achieved.
• Assures compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements and ensures the integrity of underwriting discipline by identifying underwriting issues.
• Develop new business opportunities with new and existing agents. Build strong partnerships and promote the Hanover franchise.
• Provides input and may assist in broader strategy formulation with primary focus on execution of strategies.

Business Development:

• Identify and drive enhanced business opportunities and create growth within other lines of business and customer segments.
• Utilize our value proposition to enhance agency economics, partner conversion and product specialization in partnership with local management.
• Prioritizes and drives effective relationship management and producer activities to build trust, facilitate negotiation, and secure commitment in order to improve yield and retention ratios.
• Engage at the customer level for the most complex and prominent accounts within their territory.
• Independently implements territory business plans, monitors performance, adjusts plan to ensure a substantial pipeline for future profitable growth.
• Actively engages with distribution and field leadership to develop business opportunities. Regularly liaise with BDM function.
• Coaches field underwriters on top selling techniques specific to the industry space.
• Collect market intelligence (price, product, services); advocate for change as needed.
• Assist in the development of new product capabilities, emerging market opportunities, and identifying growth opportunities.

Portfolio Management:

• Manages portfolio for assigned territory with guidance from Leader.
• Provides input to and feedback on Portfolio, Distribution and Infrastructure strategy.
• Analyzes industry financial performance and proactively manages the performance of portfolio, recommending corrective action as needed.
• Gathers critical local intelligence that will aid in the development product, service, and appetite improvements.
• Proactively responds to regulatory and legal environment.
• Maintains keen understanding of industry competitors, Identifies trends and emerging issues.
• Closely monitors underwriting results for assigned regions and recommends actions to improve profitability.

Underwriting Development and Support:

• Reviews key metrics and uncovers trends that may lead to new business opportunities with agents while achieving profitable growth in accordance with business strategies.
• Prepares or analyzes information on adverse underwriting decisions, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status, and declinations in order to drive results within the assigned territory.
• Understands the relationship between changes in business strategies and financial results (e.g. loss ratio’s, premium, retention, and non-rate and book mix strategies).
• Keeps current on state/territory issues, regulations, and trends.
• Supports execution of profit improvement initiatives with key agents.

WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY:

• Bachelor’s degree or experience equivalent; professional designations preferred.
• 10+ years of Inland Marine underwriting experience, with broad underwriting experience across numerous classes of business.
• Strong proficiency with specific knowledge in the areas of underwriting, book management, marketing, and product development.
• Ability to effectively coach underwriters and balance multiple priorities in a dynamic and very fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills are essential; effective face-to-face interactions and presentations to groups, as well as strong phone skills, along with sound written communications, including impeccable follow through.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate and influence across multiple levels of the organization within senior and field management and underwriters.
• High degree of business, insurance and marketplace knowledge.
• Ability to travel by plane or car as needed.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT:

It’s not just a job, it’s a career, and we are here to support you every step of the way. We want you to be successful and fulfilled. Through on-the-job experiences, personalized coaching and our robust learning and development programs, we encourage you – at every level – to grow and develop.

BENEFITS:

We offer comprehensive benefits to help you be healthy, build financial security, and balance work and home life. At The Hanover, you’ll enjoy what you do and have the support you need to succeed.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401K with a company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• PTO
• Company paid holidays
• Flexible work arrangements
• Cultural Awareness Day in support of IDE
• On-site medical/wellness center (Worcester only)
• Click here for the full list of Benefits

EEO statement:

The Hanover values diversity in the workplace and among our customers. The company provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants on the basis of experience, training, education, and ability to do the available work without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, ancestry or any other status protected by law.

Furthermore, The Hanover Insurance Group is committed to providing an equal opportunity workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment based on national origin, race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by law.

As an equal opportunity employer, Hanover does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities who wish to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, should contact us at:[e-mail] and include the link of the job posting in which you are interested.

Privacy Policy:

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Applicants who are California residents:

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Compensation:

The target hiring range for this role may vary based on geographic location and other factors, including merit or performance, demonstrated proficiency, skills for the role, education, travel requirements, and experience. Additional compensation may include an annual bonus (which could take the form of a general bonus, sales incentive, or short-term incentive), long-term incentive or spot recognition awards. The posted range reflects our ability to hire at different position titles and levels depending on background and experience.