Program Underwriter

Merchants Mutual Insurance; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Competitive pay

Comprehensive benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Merchants Insurance Group, based in Buffalo, NY, is seeking an experienced Program Underwriter for our corporate office. The role features a hybrid work schedule with two in-office days per week and flexibility for remote days.

The ideal candidate has 4+ years of commercial underwriting or product development experience, a 4-year degree, and strong communication skills. CPCU coursework is a plus; compensation includes a competitive pay range and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• A 4 year degree or equivalent work related experience.
• 4+ years’ experience underwriting commercial lines accounts and/or product development experience.
• Strong background in commercial lines underwriting or product development execution and practices.
• Demonstrate the ability to underwrite and manage the assigned accounts.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and must be able to operate in a team environment.
• Property and Casualty insurance related coursework is a plus i.e. CPCU.
• Must have good computer skills, specifically Excel and Word.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate relationships with Managing General Agents and internal staff to achieve optimal outcomes for Merchants and policyholders.
• Direct and monitor activities of assigned Managing General Agents to ensure adherence to underwriting policy and service standards.
• Assist with program development for Corporate Programs with Senior Manager and Program Analyst as required.
• Responsible for the commercial loss ratio and production goals of assigned agencies.

Skills

Underwriting

Commercial lines

Product development

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

Description

Hybrid Work Schedule

Merchants Insurance Group is a leading Property and Casualty Insurer in the Northeast and is looking for an experienced Program Underwriter for our Corporate Office located in Buffalo, NY.

The Program Underwriter will become part of a dedicated corporate program underwriting team, collaborating with our agency partners to deliver professional service that achieves the most optimal outcomes for our policyholders, and profitable growth for Merchants and our Agency Partners.

Merchants Insurance Group is rated A- (Excellent) with a stable outlook by A.M. Best and is consistently recognized as a top employer and high-performing organization. Recent honors include:

• Best Places to Work in Western New York (Buffalo Business First, 2023–2026)
• Fast Track Company (2019–2025) and Top Private Company (2019–2025)
• Ward’s 50® top-performing property-casualty insurer (2021–2024)
• Ivans Spark Award for Innovation (2024–2025)
• Named to Newsweek and Statista’s America’s Most Reliable Companies list (2025), ranked among the top 300 of 1,500 B2B organizations evaluated

We offer a hybrid work schedule, requiring two full days per week in the office, with flexibility to work remotely or in office the remaining days. This model supports collaboration while providing flexibility and work-life balance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Cultivating solid relationships with Managing General Agents and internal staff while working towards achieving the most optimal outcomes for Merchants and our policyholders.
• Directs and monitors the activities of the assigned Managing General Agents to ensure adherence to corporate underwriting policy and service standards.
• Assists with program development for all Corporate Programs while working with Senior Corporate Programs Manager and Program Analyst as required.
• Responsible for the commercial loss ratio and production goals of assigned agencies.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Qualified candidates will have a 4 year degree or equivalent work related experience.
• 4+ years’ experience underwriting commercial lines accounts and/or product development experience.
• Strong background in commercial lines underwriting or product development execution and practices.
• Demonstrate the ability to underwrite and manage the assigned accounts.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and must be able to operate in a team environment.
• Property and Casualty insurance related coursework is a plus i.e. CPCU.
• Must have good computer skills, specifically Excel and Word.

Merchants Insurance Group Pay information:

Merchants Insurance Group offers a competitive pay scale. The estimated salary for this role ranges from $85,000 - $120,000 based on leveling and geography, along with an equity component and a comprehensive benefits package. This range is merely an estimate; actual compensation may deviate from this range based on skills, experience and qualifications.

Merchants Insurance Group Benefits:

• Welcoming and positive work environment.
• Flexible work arrangements, including flex scheduling and summer hours.
• Hybrid work schedule. The Hybrid work schedule will require two full days per week in the office, with the option of working the remaining days per week at home or in the office.
• Competitive pay scale.
• Company bonus program.
• Generous paid time off package.
• Full Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, 401(k) employer match amount is 100% up to 6% of your annual contributions. You are immediately 100% vested in the employer match dollars.
• Tuition Reimbursement.

And many more exciting company benefits!!

Merchants Insurance Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Merchants Insurance Group supports a safe workplace through pre-employment background screenings.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.