Lead National Underwriting Specialist

QBE North America; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Working

22 weeks of paid family leave (gender‑

Job summary

QBE North America is seeking a Lead National Underwriting Specialist - Crop to drive strategy for Crop Whole Farm products, including WFRP and Micro Farms. The role emphasizes underwriting expertise, risk evaluation, and cross-functional collaboration across offices in multiple states.

The position supports in-office collaboration, policy development, and training while ensuring compliance and operational excellence across the portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Crop underwriting experience required.
• Technical experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• High attention to detail
• Effectively and efficiently present logic, reasoning, and analysis to others.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of WFRP and Micro Farms products, including underwriting, product support, policy development, training, processing standards, and ongoing program support.
• Develop and ensure adherence to Crop underwriting standards, objectives, guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with regional leaders, Sales, Training, Marketing, Claims, and IT to implement product changes and develop strategies that support business growth.
• Manage annual underwriting activities for WFRP and Micro Farms, including new and renewal applications, Farm Operation Reports, complex policies, workload coordination, and technical analysis.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with agents, external partners, and regulatory contacts, serving as a key resource for product information, underwriting decisions, training, and policy or procedure changes.
• Oversee compliance activities, including internal audits, regulatory findings, policy reviews, disputes, and coordination with Compliance and Legal Counsel.
• Conduct and coordinate annual research and analysis of expected yields, values, and other technical data to support accurate underwriting decisions.
• Provide subject matter expertise, mentorship, and support to underwriting teams by sharing best practices, assisting with complex risks, and promoting consistent underwriting practices.
• Support Crop Claims and other Crop functions as needed to ensure effective administration and coordination of assigned products.
• Manage assigned resources and expenses through accurate forecasting, budgeting, and fiscal oversight

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience

Crop underwriting experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Primary Details

Time Type: Full timeWorker Type: Employee

Title: Lead National Underwriting Specialist - Crop

The Opportunity

The purpose of this role is to lead and drive the business strategy for Crop Whole Farm, including Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farms. This role uses relationship-building, underwriting expertise, risk evaluation, and sound decision-making to support a profitable portfolio. Additionally, the role oversees program management, policy development, compliance, training, and product support to ensure consistent execution and operational excellence.

• Locations: Missoula, MT; Fresno, CA; Woodland, CA; Council Bluffs, IA; Topeka, KS; Ramsey, MN; Greensboro, NC; and Fargo, ND (United States)
• Work Arrangement : This role is hybrid, where you will be expected to be in the office 3 days per weekat an office listed above.
• The salary range for this role is between $84,000-$135,000.

Your New Role

• Lead and manage all aspects of WFRP and Micro Farms products, including underwriting, product support, policy development, training, processing standards, and ongoing program support.
• Develop and ensure adherence to Crop underwriting standards, objectives, guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with regional leaders, Sales, Training, Marketing, Claims, and IT to implement product changes and develop strategies that support business growth.
• Manage annual underwriting activities for WFRP and Micro Farms, including new and renewal applications, Farm Operation Reports, complex policies, workload coordination, and technical analysis.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with agents, external partners, and regulatory contacts, serving as a key resource for product information, underwriting decisions, training, and policy or procedure changes.
• Oversee compliance activities, including internal audits, regulatory findings, policy reviews, disputes, and coordination with Compliance and Legal Counsel.
• Conduct and coordinate annual research and analysis of expected yields, values, and other technical data to support accurate underwriting decisions.
• Provide subject matter expertise, mentorship, and support to underwriting teams by sharing best practices, assisting with complex risks, and promoting consistent underwriting practices.
• Support Crop Claims and other Crop functions as needed to ensure effective administration and coordination of assigned products.
• Manage assigned resources and expenses through accurate forecasting, budgeting, and fiscal oversight

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience
• Crop underwriting experience required.
• Technical experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• High attention to detail
• Effectively and efficiently present logic, reasoning, and analysis to others

Preferred Work Experience

• Relevant experience in underwriting, Crop insurance, program management, or a related area.
• Knowledge of or experience with Whole Farm products and programs is preferred.
• Experience with crop insurance, livestock operations and ag tax preparation
• Events affecting the industry, including understanding of competition and the marketplace for assigned program
• Advanced working knowledge of underwriting methodologies and best practices
• Advanced working knowledge of organizational underwriting guidelines and standards
• Understanding of laws and regulations relevant to underwriting standards, processes and procedures

Note: QBE, a global insurance leader, is the proud parent company of NAU Country Insurance Company. NAU Country writes in 48 states and has nine locations nationwide. Together, we combine the history, expertise, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence to provide unparalleled insurance solutions to our customers and communities worldwide.

Compensation Package

The salary range for this role is provided above. This is the national range for location(s) listed. The salary offer will be decided based on the role's complexity, its location, and the candidate’s professional background, including their education and experience. Beyond the base salary, regular full-time and part-time employees will also be eligible for QBE’s annual discretionary bonus plan based on business and individual performance. We encourage all candidates to apply, even if their salary expectations fall outside of this range, as we are committed to finding the right fit for our team.

QBE Benefits

• Hybrid Working – a mix of working from home and in the office
• 22 weeks of paid leave for family growth, with 12 weeks available to all parents on a gender-equal basis
• Competitive 401(k) program with company match up to 8%
• Well-being program including holistic wellbeing coaching, gym membership, confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
• Tuition Reimbursement for professional certifications, and continuing education
• Employee Network and Community – QBE actively supports six Employee Networks, and many ways to give back to your community

To learn more, click here: Benefits | QBE US.

Why QBE? What if you could have a positive impact – at work and in the world?

At QBE, we’re enabling a more resilient future – for our customers, communities, environment, and for our people. We’re building momentum to achieve something significant and know our people are at the center of our success.

Our industry offers interesting and varied careers where you can help people to protect what matters most. As part of the QBE team, you’ll get to spend every day working with people who are passionate, talented and kind. And our international scale means we’re big enough for your ambitions, yet small enough for you to make a real impact.

Join us now, so you can be part of our success – and we can be part of yours!

https://www.linkedin.com/company/qbe-north-america/

QBE is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with QBE, please inform our Talent Acquisition team to let us know the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information.

Equal Employment Opportunity

QBE provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; gender; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; protected veteran status; or disability or any other legally protected status.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Supplementary information

Skills

• Adaptability
• Business Management
• Critical Thinking
• Customer Service
• Financial Advising
• Insurance Underwriting
• Intentional collaboration
• Managing performance
• Negotiation
• Portfolio Management
• Process Improvements
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Management
• Workload Management