VP, Middle Market Underwriting

WCF Insurance; Sandy (UT); On-site; USD 146,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401K with generous employer match

Executive bonus opportunities

Job summary

WCF Insurance, based in Sandy, Utah, is seeking a Vice President of Middle Market Underwriting to guide strategy, profitability, and portfolio performance across six states. You will lead underwriting leaders, develop talent, and collaborate with partners to support growth and long-term objectives.

This full-time exempt role requires strong leadership, deep underwriting knowledge, and a track record of implementing guidelines and driving results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field; Master’s degree or CPCU, CIC, CRIS preferred.
• At least eight years of commercial lines underwriting experience; including leadership of middle market underwriting operations.
• At least three years of insurance company leadership experience.
• Proven success managing underwriting profitability, portfolio performance, and multi-state operations.
• Strong knowledge of property and casualty underwriting, rating, regulations, products, market conditions, insurance company operations and finance.
• Excellent in implementing underwriting strategies, authority structures, operational improvements, and technology initiatives.
• Strong relationship building skills at all levels with demonstrated ability to influence and engage stakeholders and translate information into actions plans
• Ability to manage vision and purpose, set direction aligned with company strategy and lead the business unit with innovative and creative thinking.
• Experience with performance metrics and measures, customer assessment, cost/benefit analysis, benchmarking and problem identification.
• Demonstrated experience leading leaders, developing talent, and building organizational bench strength.

Responsibilities

• Lead Middle Market underwriting operations and achieving growth, profitability, retention, and combined ratio goals.
• Own the Middle Market profit and loss, underwriting strategy, and operating plan across assigned territories.
• Oversee and develop underwriting teams to achieve department and company initiatives and strategy.
• Attract and retain quality business to achieve loss, retention, profit, growth and combined ratio targets.
• Implementing underwriting guidelines, authority levels, policies, procedures, and audit processes.
• Analyze data to understand trends, progress to goals, underwriter book management and improvement opportunities.
• Developing a culture that is customer focused and embraces innovation.
• Approve underwriting decisions exceeding delegated authority and provide oversight on complex accounts.
• Analyze portfolio performance, underwriting results, and market trends to identify opportunities and risks.
• Partner with Sales, Product, IT, and other departments to execute strategic priorities.
• Support rate and form filings, product development, and underwriting innovation.
• Build strong relationships with agents, policyholders, and key industry partners.
• Own business results and hold leaders accountable for performance.
• Use data and performance metrics to drive decisions and improve outcomes.
• Create a culture focused on customer service, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Align business unit priorities with WCF's enterprise strategy.
• Effectively lead organizational change and support business growth.
• Develop successors and strengthen leadership bench strength.
• Create and maintain strong positive working relationships with other departments to achieve company goals.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Master’s degree or CPCU, CIC, CRIS designation strongly preferred

Job description

WCF Insurance is an “A” rated, innovative property and casualty carrier with more than a century of experience serving businesses across the Western United States. Since 1917, we have built our reputation on doing the right thing, being great at what we do, and helping others succeed. As we continue to grow, we are looking for individuals who share these values and want to contribute to delivering an excellent insurance experience.

Position Overview

As the Vice President of Middle Market Underwriting, you'll lead underwriting operations across six states, guiding strategy, profitability, and portfolio performance. Working through a team of underwriting leaders, you'll help develop talent, strengthen underwriting discipline, and collaborate with business partners to implement initiatives that support WCF's growth and long-term objectives.

This is a full-time, exempt position based out of WCF Insurance's Sandy headquarters. This position is open to external and internal candidates. Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and candidate qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead Middle Market underwriting operations and achieving growth, profitability, retention, and combined ratio goals.
• Own the Middle Market profit and loss, underwriting strategy, and operating plan across assigned territories.
• Oversee and develop underwriting teams to achieve department and company initiatives and strategy.
• Attract and retain quality business to achieve loss, retention, profit, growth and combined ratio targets.
• Implementing underwriting guidelines, authority levels, policies, procedures, and audit processes.
• Analyze data to understand trends, progress to goals, underwriter book management and improvement opportunities.
• Developing a culture that is customer focused and embraces innovation.
• Approve underwriting decisions exceeding delegated authority and provide oversight on complex accounts.
• Analyze portfolio performance, underwriting results, and market trends to identify opportunities and risks.
• Partner with Sales, Product, IT, and other departments to execute strategic priorities.
• Support rate and form filings, product development, and underwriting innovation.
• Build strong relationships with agents, policyholders, and key industry partners.
• Own business results and hold leaders accountable for performance.
• Use data and performance metrics to drive decisions and improve outcomes.
• Create a culture focused on customer service, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Align business unit priorities with WCF's enterprise strategy.
• Effectively lead organizational change and support business growth.
• Develop successors and strengthen leadership bench strength.
• Create and maintain strong positive working relationships with other departments to achieve company goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field. Master’s degree or CPCU, CIC, CRIS designation strongly preferred.
• At least eight years of commercial lines underwriting experience; including leadership of middle market underwriting operations.
• At least three years of insurance company leadership experience.
• Proven success managing underwriting profitability, portfolio performance, and multi-state operations.
• Strong knowledge of property and causality underwriting, rating, regulations, products, market conditions, insurance company operations and finance.
• Excellent in implementing underwriting strategies, authority structures, operational improvements, and technology initiatives.
• Strong relationship building skills at all levels with demonstrated ability to influence and engage stakeholders and translate information into actions plans
• Ability to manage vision and purpose, set direction aligned with company strategy and lead the business unit with innovative and creative thinking.
• Experience with performance metrics and measures, customer assessment, cost/benefit analysis, benchmarking and problem identification.
• Demonstrated experience leading leaders, developing talent, and building organizational bench strength.

Compensation & Executive Benefits

In addition to the base salary, Vice Presidents are eligible for executive bonus opportunities and receive allowances associated with WCF's leadership positions. Starting salary may exceed the posted range based on the selected candidate's qualifications, including relevant experience, education, specialized skills, certifications, and overall alignment with the position's responsibilities.

Benefits

WCF Insurance offers an extensive compensation package. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Company paid life insurance
• 401K with a generous 6% employer match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Time off to volunteer in the local community
• All employees earn 4 weeks of vacation their first year.

The expected salary range for this position is 146,100.00-206,200.00. This salary range depends on experience, education, and location for this specific position.

Values

The person in this position must demonstrate the WCF values of doing the right thing, being great at your job, and helping others succeed to fulfill the company’s mission of excellence.

Working Conditions

This position is based in an office environment with adequate temperature and lighting control. There are no known hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, or other environmental factors. There are potentially high-stress situations that require meeting deadlines. The employee must meet the job attendance requirements for this position.

Our People

WCF strives to provide an excellent work experience and cultivate an inclusive environment where anyone who embodies our values will thrive.

WCF Insurance is an Equal Opportunity Employer

WCF Insurance provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability that can be reasonably accommodated, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.