Underwriting Operations Executive - Eastern Alliance

An exciting opportunity exists to join the ProAssurance family of companies!

We are a specialty writer of professional liability, products liability and workers' compensation insurance. With approximately 1,000 team members operating in all 50 states, we are well-positioned to offer career opportunities to individuals interested in professional growth.

This position supports our workers' compensation line of business, Eastern Alliance.

We are open to this individual being hybrid or remote depending upon proximity to an Eastern Alliance office location. Remote team members would need to reside within Eastern Alliance's geographic footprint. Please visit this link to learn more: https://www.easternalliance.com/the-eastern-way/at-a-glance/

For full consideration candidates should have experience underwriting workers' compensation business in excess of $100k.

Job Summary:

The primary responsibility of the company-wide Underwriting Operations Executive is to execute the strategic initiatives and financial goals of the Underwriting Department in support of the Company's revenue and profitability objectives and overall business plan. This staff underwriting position holds the highest level of underwriting authority outside of the Director and Senior VP of Underwriting and is responsible for making underwriting decisions in their absence. Primary responsibilities include handling management referrals from all regional offices, leading training and education initiatives and other core functions and projects as assigned (such as developing and ensuring execution of a company-wide annual education plan, leading the File Review process including quarterly and annual reports and action plan development and execution, profitability studies, Inova program expense structure and reinsurance reviews and approvals, etc.), as well as mentoring specific underwriters, supporting the development of underwriting tools and resources and underwriting Inova and large opportunities and renewals as needed.

This position is responsible for holding line underwriters and regional managers to high standards in executing underwriting decisions aligned with the Company's initiatives, core values and underwriting strategies consistently throughout all operating territories. In all of the above activities, the Underwriting Operations Executive is to assure sound decision-making and adherence to Eastern's business strategies, championing ecovery, N3L3 and the Eastern Way.

Essential Functions:

• 35% - Ensure consistent execution of the company's underwriting philosophies and best practices. Within approved authority, serve as a referral underwriter reviewing and approving risks when they exceed the regional underwriting manager's authority, or for line underwriters directly as needed. Analyze risks and manage referrals for new and renewal business; make decisions in support of profitability about accepting, modifying or declining all new and renewal business within the parameters and timelines set by regulatory and Company guidelines. Effectively communicate rationale behind referral decisions and offer guidance on sales and agency management strategies as a means of coaching and mentoring staff.
• 20% - Perform all preparations and activities necessary to provide the Underwriters with the needed training & education (including mentoring with specific individuals) to support their underwriting activities and development in their current positions as well as to prepare them for promotion opportunities. Establish a company-wide annual training and education plan. Monitor and assure that there is a strong consistency of high quality programs and practices throughout all regions. Lead regular Roundtable meetings to support underwriting development and assure the Eastern philosophy is executed and operational targets are met across all territories. Coach Underwriters to effectively manage ecovery initiatives. Through coaching and file analysis, insure proper return to wellness guidelines and procedures are established, followed and goals achieved.
• 15% - Manage the File Review qualitative assessment program including assigning action plans where improvement opportunities are needed in the regional offices and monitor execution. Complete, analyze and qualitatively evaluate all file reviews from all the regions and teams and prepare quarterly analysis and annual report of underwriter / team performance in support of the company's Underwriting objectives within the timelines set by the Senior Vice President of Underwriting & Risk Management. Identify and address deficiencies in qualitative underwriting functions or deviations from the Company's risk appetite, underwriting authorities and underwriting philosophy for both line underwriters and regional underwriting management staff.

Secondary Functions:

• 5% - Within approved authority, and as assigned, underwrite risks and programs in support of the company's objectives. Evaluate the reinsurance and expense structure of Inova programs, providing recommendations to improve a profitability where needed. Supports regional line underwriters and regional underwriting management with decisions on large, adverse and complex risks.
• 5% - Demonstrates competence and proficiency in underwriting all of the company's products. Approve Retrospective Rating Calculations. Assesses the adequacy of the company's loss forecasting tools offering recommendations as appropriate. Evaluate financial statements of policyholders and prospective clients and determine of acceptability of such relative to various insurance products, including the company's exposure to credit risk on loss sensitive and captive products.
• 5% - Stays abreast of industry trends, market conditions, new exposures and economic and legislative changes across jurisdictions within the company's operating territory, recommending relative underwriting strategy changes. Monitor profitability results Company, Regional, Team, Program, and/or Classification on an ongoing basis and make recommendations to Director of Underwriting regarding changes to underwriting appetite, pricing, market segment selections, etc.
• 5% - Research coverage issues related to workers' compensation, employers' liability and reinsurance offering guidance to regional teams. Serve as a consultant to line underwriters and regional underwriting management for large, adverse and complex risks.
• 5% - Cultivate and develop high quality company-agency and company client working relationships by coaching staff on agency visitation and communication as necessitated by business needs and company guidelines. Attend insurance related functions to support relationship development and visibility of the company.
• 5% - Participate in the development and execution of the underwriting operational objectives. Support the Director of Underwriting by contributing feedback in the development of Underwriter Authority recommendations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor Degree required in Business, Insurance, or related field.

• Ten years insurance underwriting experience required. The active pursuit of professional development and the completion of insurance designations (CPCU, CIC, CRM, ARM etc.) is strongly preferred, as is prior training development and delivery experience.

• Multi-line experience and/or advance certification inclusive of other commercial lines is strongly preferred.

• Basic knowledge of GL and EPLI and working knowledge of Employers Liability and other Federal Coverages.

• Demonstrated advanced technical proficiency in underwriting and loss forecasting skills through achieving targeted financial and operational results.

• Experience underwriting and demonstrated proficiency of retrospective rating and large deductible plans.

• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to educate others.

• Proven ability to establish effective internal and external relationships.

• Ability to travel to other offices, attend insurance and industry/business functions to promote and present a positive image of the Company.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and company computer applications; ability to learn new computer software applications.

• Advanced analytical ability, in order to analyze and interpret information; and make profitable decisions about risks.

• Attention to detail in evaluating policy information and strong organizational skills in establishing priorities, and meeting deadlines.

• Solid analytical and problem solving skills, including formulating logical and objective conclusions and the ability to think strategically.

• Ability to assess the urgency and importance of a situation and take appropriate action.

• Ability to coach and mentor others to support growth opportunities; ability to develop and facilitate formal training programs both in a group setting and on an individual basis.

Position Salary Range

$96,465.00 - $159,184.00

The salary range displayed represents the entirety of the pay grade for this position. Most candidates will start in the bottom half of the range. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have, your location and comparison to other team members already in this role.