Executive Underwriter, Programs

GRS North America Programs is currently seeking an Executive Underwriter to join our team in our continuous commitment to providing customized program solutions for Program Administrators. The Program Underwriter role puts you in the driver's seat to use your multi-line experience to actively oversee, market, and underwrite niche specialty program business. In this role, you will collaborate with the company’s underwriting, actuarial, financial, claims, product, legal and marketing units and the

Program Administrator. Applicants should be well-versed in applying marketing and sales principles and techniques that will help drive new business prospects to our program administrator while maintaining a profit. Highly effective written and verbal communication skills are desired, including negotiation, presentation, persuasion, and relationship management skills. In partnership with our program administrator, this position develops, grows, and maintains a profitable, diversified book of program business through effective underwriting decision making, mutually beneficial program administrator relationships, and applying underwriting tools, systems, and expert resources under limited supervision.  This role offers visibility, leveraging various internal resources and managing projects can help both our established and new programs innovate to remain competitive.

Works independently and autonomously on all but the most complex accounts/cases (subject to required process oversight). Underwrites policies within underwriting authority. Makes decisions on whether to accept business by making analytical, data-driven decisions based on data and information provided, including pricing the risk. In parts of North America more likely to underwrite complex/unusual policies - or those of high individual line size - policies assessed will focus on those of high complexity and/or larger size.

Responsibilities

Manages portfolio of Program Administrators. Leverages market presence and expertise to develop and underwrite profitable business, acting as a representative for Liberty. Maintains a strong market presence, including established relationships with agents, brokers, and program administrators. Looks to strengthen these relationships and develop new ones. Articulates key coverage differences with a high degree of detail. Provides significant input into the business and marketing planning process, including advanced data-driven insights from portfolio analysis. Participates in projects across departments designed to drive underwriting and process excellence (e.g., member of a working team). Models effective collaboration across teams, stakeholders and partners (e.g., UW Support, Claims, Actuarial). Has strong knowledge of key legal cases, legislation and regulation impacting area(s) of underwriting expertise. Shares knowledge based on technical expertise, including providing external thought-leadership. Mentors, coaches, and trains other underwriters and internal partners.

• Risk Selection: Guides program administrators to profitable growth of their assigned specialty program(s). Through referral handling, evaluates or assesses the business by qualifying accounts; identifying and assessing risks; evaluating the premium, policy terms and conditions; obtaining approvals where necessary; and successfully negotiating deals with the Program Administrator. Through underwriting audits, conducts file reviews and partners with program administrator(s) to develop action plans when necessary, develops or revises underwriting guidelines or program administrator authority as needed.
• Relationships: Builds strong relationships externally with our program administrators; demonstrates a high level of responsiveness and focus on supporting objectives for assigned program(s). Develops effective working relationships internally with Claims, Actuarial, Finance, Product, Risk Control, Marketing, and other departments to enable success for assigned program(s).
• Portfolio Management: Manages a sizable and complex book of business by analyzing the portfolio, identifying areas of opportunity for improved growth, profit and diversification, and executing marketing plans to increase market share with assigned Program Administrators.
• Documenting the Deal: Documents files in a way that reflects a solid thought process and decision making through comprehensive account reviews, sign-offs and referrals.
• Leadership: Formally guides, mentors, and coaches both program underwriters and internal underwriters and account analysts (as applicable) in technical and professional skills. Demonstrates expertise and provides regular updates to other underwriters.
• Continuous Improvement: Actively participates in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, participating in problem-solving activities, and using continuous improvement tools to support the team’s work. Embraces a growth mindset. Stays current on trends impacting the insurance industry. Leads training to help build the underwriting acumen of program underwriters. Supports diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

• Degree in Business or equivalent typically required
• A minimum of 7 years expected, typically 10 years or more, of progressive underwriting experience and/or other related business experience
• CPCU or professional insurance designation preferred
• Proven analytical ability to evaluate and judge underwriting risks within scope of responsibility
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex analyses and information in understandable written and/or oral directives to other persons in the organization for underwriting or training purposes
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills in dealing with internal and external stakeholders
• Must demonstrate comprehension of most complex technical underwriting issues and be capable of defining and implementing necessary underwriting and administrative processes/workflows to properly manage or administer those issues
• Proven track record of developing and underwriting profitable business