Sr. Consultant, Specialty Underwriting Strategy Project Manager

01460 Continental Casualty Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

CNA is seeking a data-driven professional for the Specialty Underwriting analytics team in Chicago to support strategy, execution, and data insights. You will lead cross-functional initiatives, develop forecasting tools, and drive efficiency through data-driven decision making.

The role emphasizes collaboration with underwriting, distribution, actuarial, and product teams, with an expectation to manage ambiguity and deliver high-quality outputs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent.
• Typically a minimum of seven years of related work experience.
• Underwriting knowledge is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate execution of underwriting strategy and initiatives to meet priorities.
• Lead medium-complexity projects from planning to delivery.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to define objectives and drive execution using data insights.
• Establish relationships with underwriters, leadership, and stakeholders to drive data-driven initiatives.
• Develop and enhance analytical tools and models to support planning and decision-making.
• Leverage data insights to identify trends and inform business performance.
• Collaborate with Distribution, Actuarial, Claim, and Product Development to align operations with goals.
• Stay current on industry trends and developments in insurance.
• Pursue continuous learning and share knowledge with others.
• Work independently with minimal guidance and provide instruction to peers.
• Respond to ad-hoc data requests and adapt to evolving priorities.
• May perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Underwriting knowledge

Data analysis

Power BI

Excel

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Economics, Mathematics, Finance, Statistics, or related field

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

Excel

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential. Leads smaller scale projects that involves the design, analysis and modeling of moderately complex to complex organizational data for a business area. Supports the active management of a business area by interpreting data and providing business insights.

Job Summary

Join an entrepreneurial team of professionals who provide critical support to the Specialty Underwriting organization focusing on three key areas: strategy, business execution and data-driven analytics. Functions of this role include supporting strategic planning efforts, developing recommendations to advance business priorities, and leading cross-functional initiatives that drive execution of key Specialty Underwriting objectives. Additional responsibilities include identifying and implementing underwriting process and procedure efficiencies, leveraging data and insights to evaluate business performance, conducting analyses to inform decision-making, and utilizing analytical and problem-solving skills to develop solutions to complex business challenges. A successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills, establish success metrics and key performance indicators, provide insightful analyses, and partner with Specialty underwriting professionals to support strategy, operations and business intelligence needs. This candidate will effectively manage ambiguity and competing priorities to ensure delivery of high-quality outputs while making and communicating impactful, data-driven recommendations that support business decision-making and organizational objectives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Reporting Relationship Director

• Facilitates execution of underwriting strategy and initiatives to ensure key priorities are achieved.
• Leads medium-complexity projects from planning through execution, managing timelines, priorities, stakeholders, and dependencies to ensure on-time delivery and business outcomes.
• Partners with cross-functional teams to define objectives and drive execution while leveraging data analysis to inform business strategies and improve efficiency.
• Establishes relationships with the Specialty underwriters, leadership team, support staff and other stakeholders to identify opportunities to develop and advance data-driven strategic initiatives, drive key operational insights, and build process improvements and efficiencies.
• Develops and enhances analytical tools and models, including underwriting forecasting models, to support business planning and decision-making.
• Leverages data analysis and insights to identify trends, evaluate business performance, and provide actionable recommendations that drive operational and strategic outcomes.
• Collaborates with Distribution, Actuarial, Claim, Government Relations, Product Development, Risk Control and other functional areas to ensure operational activities are meeting overall business goals.
• Remains current on trends and developments within the insurance industry.
• Focuses on continually learning to deepen knowledge of industry and areas of expertise.
• Shares knowledge with others.
• Works independently, receiving minimal guidance.
• Acts as a resource and trusted advisor for colleagues with less experience by providing instruction, guidance, and advice.
• Responds to and fulfills ad-hoc data requests.
• May perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

1. Solid knowledge of core functions of an insurance company and general insurance (knowledge of Underwriting process highly preferred).
2. Solid technical knowledge of financial, economical and statistical practices, procedures and principles, which may include a specialty area of the business.
3. Solid interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Effectively interacts with all levels of CNA's internal and external business partners.
4. Solid analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills to effectively resolve complex situations and issues.
5. Solid project management, organization and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple projects effectively and lead teams.
6. Ability to solve issues with a sense of urgency; utilizes and manages the available resources to make informed decisions and achieve superior results.
7. Ability to creatively and effectively manage through ambiguous and challenging problems, leads through change and takes appropriate level of risk.
8. Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Power BI and other business-related software (Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint is mandatory).

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

1. Solid knowledge of core functions of an insurance company, general insurance and statistical, financial, and economic concepts, which may include a specialty area of the business.
2. Solid knowledge of applications such as Microsoft Office Suite, Tableau and other business related software.
3. Strong analytical and problem solving skills with to effectively resolve moderately complex situations and issues. Demonstrates attention to detail.
4. Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. Ability to effectively interact with all levels of CNA's internal and external business partners.
5. Ability to work independently, as well as in a team, manage time and resources to accomplish multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
6. Solid project management skills and strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage work deliverables/projects effectively.

Education and Experience

1. Bachelor's Degree in Business, Economics, Mathematics, Finance, Statistics, or related field.
2. Typically a minimum of seven years of related work experience.

In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $72,000 to $141,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location.

CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees – and their family members – achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals. For a detailed look at CNA’s benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.

CNA utilizes AI-enabled technology during the recruiting process. For more information, please visit our careers page.

CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact [e-mail].

At CNA, we are focused on success, individually and collectively. We pride ourselves on promoting a culture that challenges and engages people. We strive to connect people, departments and business areas, to function as a team, and to serve our customers and communities with professionalism and respect. Our dedication to employee engagement, continuous learning and the open exchange of ideas is the cornerstone of our business. These ideals, combined with our focus on the customer, enable us to explore new market opportunities and build on our success. Our values, culture and financial strength are what differentiates us from other employers and make CNA the place you want to work.

At CNA, we are committed to advancing a culture of inclusion – one that attracts talent from all walks of life, fosters respect and collaboration, and enables all of our colleagues to do their best work. At CNA, we have a long standing commitment to the diverse communities in which we live and work. We actively make a difference for the greater good through partnerships, sustainability, initiatives, and working together for a better tomorrow. Corporate Social Responsibility is not one person, or one department, it's the entire enterprise coming together to make the world a better place.