Underwriting Team Lead

CRC Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

AD&D insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

New parent leave

Restricted stock units

Deferred compensation

Job summary

CRC Group is seeking a Lead Underwriter in New York to lead underwriting strategy for complex risks and manage portfolio profitability. You will oversee underwriting operations, ensure adherence to guidelines, and drive growth while mentoring teams and improving risk selection.

The role focuses on balancing authority with leadership accountability, developing pricing structures, and building relationships with brokers and market partners to support strategic objectives.

Qualifications

• Experience leading underwriting teams and driving performance.
• Strong understanding of profitability and portfolio management.
• Familiarity with carrier guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated success in complex risk evaluation and coverage structuring.

Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting strategy and decision-making for complex risks, including risk evaluation and coverage structure.
• Oversee underwriting operations, ensuring compliance with carrier guidelines and regulations.
• Monitor portfolio performance and adjust practices to achieve profitability and growth.
• Provide leadership and oversight to underwriting teams for consistent execution and performance.
• Serve as escalation point for complex underwriting issues and risk scenarios.
• Develop strong relationships with brokers, agents, and market partners.
• Coach and mentor underwriting staff to enhance expertise and career progression.
• Evaluate market trends and data insights to inform pricing and strategy.

Skills

Leadership experience

Advanced underwriting

Risk assessment & portfolio management

Team mentorship

Negotiation & stakeholder management

Data analytics for underwriting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Insurance, or related field

Experience in commercial or specialty underwriting

Tools

Underwriting systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

Lead Underwriter is responsible for leading underwriting operations within a specialized segment, driving profitability through strategic risk selection and portfolio management. This role provides leadership and oversight to underwriting teams while ensuring adherence to company standards and regulatory requirements. The core function of this role centers on balancing underwriting authority with leadership accountability, including setting underwriting strategy, managing portfolio performance, and supporting business growth.

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Language Fluency: English (Required)

Work Shift: 1st Shift (United States of America)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead underwriting strategy and decision-making for complex risks, including evaluating, approving, and guiding risk selection and coverage structure
• Manage and oversee underwriting operations, ensuring adherence to carrier guidelines, company policies, and regulatory requirements
• Monitor portfolio performance and adjust underwriting practices to achieve profitability, growth, and risk management objectives
• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to underwriting teams to ensure consistent execution, quality, and performance outcomes
• Serve as an escalation point for complex underwriting issues, providing expertise and resolution for challenging risk scenarios
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with brokers, agents, and market partners to support growth and strategic initiatives
• Coach, mentor, and develop underwriting staff to enhance technical expertise and support career progression
• Evaluate market trends, competitor activity, and data insights to inform pricing, product development, and underwriting strategy

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Insurance, or a related field preferred
• Extensive experience within underwriting, including commercial or specialty lines
• Proven leadership experience managing underwriting teams and driving performance outcomes
• Demonstrated success in achieving profitability and growth objectives through underwriting strategy and portfolio management

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Relevant certifications such as CPCU or equivalent professional designations preferred
• Appropriate state-specific insurance licenses required based on role responsibilities

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

• Advanced expertise in underwriting, risk selection, and portfolio management
• Strong leadership and people management capabilities across underwriting teams
• Financial acumen, including ability to analyze portfolio performance and profitability drivers
• Strategic thinking and ability to translate market insights into underwriting action
• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills with brokers and market partners
• Proficiency in underwriting systems, tools, and data analytics to support decision-making

General Description of Available Benefits for Eligible Employees of CRC Group

At CRC Group, we are committed to supporting every aspect of teammates’ well-being – physical, emotional, financial, social, and professional. Our best-in-class benefits program is designed to care for the whole you, offering a wide range of coverage and support. Eligible full-time teammates enjoy access to medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and AD&D insurance; tax-advantaged savings accounts; and a 401(k) plan with company match. CRC Group also offers generous paid time off programs, including company holidays, vacation and sick days, new parent leave, and more. Eligible positions may also qualify for restricted stock units and/or a deferred compensation plan.

CRC Group supports a diverse workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, citizenship or national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or other classification protected by law. CRC Group is a Drug Free Workplace. EEO is the Law.

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