Sr Underwriter

Argonaut Management Services, Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Argonaut Management Services, Inc is seeking a Senior Commercial Underwriter located in Chicago, Illinois. This role requires evaluating and managing complex commercial insurance risks, ensuring alignment with company guidelines and profitability targets. You will support agents, guide underwriting processes, and mentor new underwriters.

The position demands six to eight years of underwriting experience. A competitive salary ranges from $75,000 to $110,000 based on location. Benefits include health coverage, 401(k) match, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Six to eight years of underwriting experience or equivalent industry knowledge.
• Strong judgment and ability to explain underwriting decisions clearly.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and underwrite complex commercial insurance risks.
• Manage assigned book of business to support profitability and growth.
• Mentor less experienced underwriters and agents.

Skills

Written communication skills

Verbal communication skills

Problem-solving abilities

Education

Associate or bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Company

Farm Family

Farm Family specializes in farm and ranch protection with a wide range of products including flexible farm packages, business owner policies, commercial package, workers compensation, commercial auto and select personal auto coverage. Farm Family is a leader in serving the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets and is pursuing growth across the U.S. The Farm Family entities are wholly‑owned subsidiaries of Clearbrook Group Holdings Inc.

Job Description

The Senior Commercial Underwriter is responsible for independently evaluating, underwriting, and managing complex commercial insurance risks in alignment with company underwriting guidelines, appetite, and profitability objectives. This role applies advanced technical expertise, sound judgment, and market awareness to assess risk quality, determine appropriate coverage terms and pricing, and drive disciplined growth within an assigned portfolio. The Senior Underwriter serves as a trusted resource to agents and internal partners, provides guidance on unusual or higher‑hazard accounts, and supports underwriting consistency through mentoring, collaboration, and adherence to regulatory and company standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Review and assess new business, renewals, endorsements, and cancellations across applicable commercial lines of business.


• Apply appropriate classifications, coverage forms, endorsements, deductibles, and limits based on exposure analysis.


• Ensure policy terms, conditions, and pricing comply with filed rates, rules, state regulations, and company standards.


• Document underwriting decisions clearly and thoroughly in underwriting systems.


• Maintain accuracy and quality of policy documentation and underwriting records.


• Negotiate terms and conditions within authority to balance profitability and competitive positioning.


• Build and maintain effective working relationships with agents, brokers, and internal stakeholders.


• Manage and monitor assigned book of business to support profitability, growth, and retention goals.


• Handle co‑signs/referrals and mentor new underwriters.


• Assess alternative ways to make a risk acceptable independently and often mentor other underwriters on advanced or complex risks.


• Serve as the underwriting representative for assigned territory.


• Educate, coach, and train agents on underwriting procedures, philosophy, and new products.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred but not required. Equivalent experience considered in place of collegiate studies.


• Six to eight years of underwriting experience, or equivalent P&C industry and/or farming or commercial industry knowledge.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain underwriting decisions clearly.


• Sound judgment and problem‑solving abilities.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience mentoring or coaching less experienced underwriters.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong knowledge of commercial coverages, policy forms, endorsements, and rating methodology.


• Familiarity with ISO forms, classifications, and state‑specific rules and regulations.


• Ability to identify coverage gaps, emerging risks, and portfolio trends.


• Industry designations, such as AINS, AU, or CPCU.

OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• The position requires the ability to effectively communicate with others to exchange information.


• A person in this position establishes methods and procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives and receives guidance in terms of broad goals. Only the final results of work are typically reviewed.


• The position requires 100% physical presence in the company office on a full‑time basis.

Base Salary

Albany & Chicago Pay Range: $75,000 - $110,000 (salary may vary by location).

Hiring Notice

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. At this time, we are not able to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin or citizenship (including language use restrictions), denial of family and medical care leave, disability (mental and physical), including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), race, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other status protected by laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Benefits and Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation package, performance‑based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits program including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.