Middle Market Lead Underwriter (Florida)

Westfield Insurance; Westfield Center (OH); Remote; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Middle Market Lead Underwriter to manage a profitable renewal book of Commercial Lines business. This remote position requires strong technical underwriting skills and the ability to build effective relationships with agents and internal teams. The successful candidate will lead strategy meetings, make critical decisions on risk acceptability and pricing, and mentor junior underwriters. Join a company that values diversity and inclusion, where your expertise will contribute significantly to the growth and success of the organization.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of Commercial Underwriting experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in Business or related discipline preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads underwriting of applications for commercial lines, determining risk acceptability.
• Calculates risk and determines insurance premiums using actuarial information.
• Maintains effective communication with agents and internal teams regarding underwriting.

Skills

Commercial Lines Underwriting

Compliance Management

Customer Service Management

Data Analysis and Reporting

Financial Controls

Insurance Industry Knowledge

Risk Management

Underwriting Strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related discipline

Commensurate experience

Job description

Middle Market Lead Underwriter (Florida)

Westfield Center, OH, United States (Remote)

Job Info

• Job Identification: 10876
• Posting Date: 01/21/2025, 08:00 PM
• Locations: One Park Circle, Westfield Center, OH, 44251-5001, US (Remote)
• Job Schedule: Full time

About Us

Founded in 1848, Westfield is a global leader in property and casualty insurance, delivering superior risk insights and innovative solutions to customers through a diverse portfolio of insurance products. Westfield underwrites commercial, personal, surety, and specialty lines of coverage through a network of leading independent agents and brokers in the United States and specialty products through Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200. As a mutual insurance company with more than 3,000 employees, Westfield has revenues in excess of $4 billion and more than $10 billion in assets.

Job Description

The Commercial Lines Lead Underwriter, working under limited supervision, represents the company among a defined territory of agencies, with responsibility for managing and servicing a profitable renewal book of Commercial Lines business utilizing the highest level of technical underwriting ability. The role leads the monthly renewal strategy meeting, acts as an Account Steward for the customer and as a key point of contact for the agency, maintaining and implementing appropriate service strategies to deliver our customer service commitment. The role makes responsible decisions regarding risk acceptability and pricing. The role also provides agency service and maintains intra-company communications and is regarded as a peer leader, subject matter expert, and mentor for technical and sales skills, and may serve as a direct leader of the Underwriting Assistants.

Responsibilities

• Leads reviews and underwriting of individual applications (new and renewal business) for commercial lines determining acceptability of risk in accordance with company guidelines and standards by reviewing the application and risk for exposure identification.
• Calculates possible risk and determines appropriate insurance premiums using actuarial information, other statistics, and own judgement, within own authority level, making necessary referrals in accordance with company policy.
• Sets accurate, realistic premium forecasts and business plans in a timely manner to enable management to set accurate budgets and performance targets.
• Utilizes strong relationships to build and maintain effective communication externally (between agents and company) and internally (within the company) regarding underwriting procedures and practices, growth goals and objectives, and agency relations.
• Stays current with branch underwriting strategies related to appetite and pricing increases and assists in strategy execution.
• Develops and executes an effective agency strategy to grow the business and participates in underwriting-related continuing education.
• Notifies agencies of adverse underwriting decisions, underwriting requirements, status, and declinations and answers questions from agencies, policyholders or other external contacts and escalates issues to management as necessary.
• Keeps current on state/territory issues and regulations, industry activity and trends, and shares this information with team members.
• Engages in and provides subject matter expertise for departmental projects, initiatives, and special studies regarding underwriting procedures and practices.
• Assists in the training and development of new employees assigned to the unit and may serve as a mentor for other underwriters who are seeking development or as a work lead to interns, underwriting assistants or other lower-level underwriters.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of Commercial Underwriting experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Business or related discipline and/or commensurate experience.

Required Skills

• Commercial Lines Underwriting
• Compliance Management
• Customer Service Management
• Data Analysis and Reporting
• Financial Controls
• Insurance Industry Knowledge
• Risk Management
• Underwriting Strategy

Location: Remote

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

United States: Westfield celebrates diversity and is committed to inclusion. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

United Kingdom: Westfield is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.