Senior Underwriter - Religious Markets

Our preference is for this role to be HYBRID, working in‑office Tuesday–Thursday at one of our WI locations:

• Merrill, WI
• Milwaukee, WI
• Madison, WI

  Within established binding authority and company underwriting guidelines, analyze complex insurance submissions, recognize exposures, provide coverage alternatives, offer risk management suggestions, and adequately price insurance coverage on risks. Manage assigned underwriting book of business that involves highly complex accounts. Provide recommendations related to company underwriting guidelines, products, pricing strategies, and general directives. Achieve corporate goals by developing strategies to improve the book of business. Provide leadership and serve as an overall underwriting expert, providing input and consultation on unique situations and sharing underwriting knowledge and expertise through training programs and mentoring.     PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:   * Within established binding authority and in compliance with filings, effectively write and retain business to meet corporate objectives.
* Using various sources of information, analyze, evaluate, make, and document decisions to achieve desired underwriting results on a highly complex assigned book of business. Recognize exposures to loss, identify coverage alternatives, develop risk management recommendations, and adequately price to an expected profitability level. Negotiate solutions, keeping the customer in mind. Decline/nonrenew business not meeting standards.
* Thoroughly understand the reinsurance function, calculations, and administration per company guidelines.
* Communicate with supervisor on issues exceeding binding authority and territory issues.
* Maintain an effective business relationship with and be a mentor to the sales force. Explain and help develop an understanding of coverages, forms, guidelines, and underwriting philosophies. Proactively research, gather, and disseminate information to help service customers and offer suggestions on options and alternative approaches to coverage, pricing, and risk management.
* Maintain underwriting expertise through an awareness of changes within the Underwriting Department, understanding CM Group, insurance industry coverages, policy forms, and operations specific to our niches. Professional knowledge development using external and internal opportunities.
* Maintain an advanced level of knowledge regarding insurance issues, products, trends in the market, and pricing principles. Maintain a program of self-development to strengthen underwriting knowledge and personal skills.
* Take a leadership role in achieving customer expectations through meeting department timeliness expectations, assisting in territories as needed, and positive interactions with all customers (including Sales, Technical Support, and other departments).
* Be a resource to the Underwriting Department through enhancing the knowledge of others, acting as a subject matter expert for the department and others in CM Group, assisting underwriting personnel with accounts above their binding authority or beyond their knowledge level, and assisting the department in special projects.
* Be a leader within the Underwriting Department through acting as role model, being engaged in changes, being energetic to recognize and resolve issues, assisting others to work in a team environment, assuming responsibility for decisions and actions, and developing trust within the department.     QUALIFICATIONS:   * Bachelor's degree is strongly preferred. Associate in Underwriting (AU) designation or successful completion of two Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) courses may be considered in lieu of a degree.
* Typically requires 10+ years of relevant experience, preferably with a property and casualty insurance company in underwriting.
* Ability and initiative to be self-directed.
* Recognize and be receptive to change opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
* Expertise of the underwriting functions, insurance coverages, and principles to handle highly complex insurance transactions, including reinsurance application and administration.
* Operate as a subject matter expert and leader for commercial underwriting.
* Demonstrated success in the ability to effectively identify and analyze exposures, recognize areas of concern, and develop appropriate solutions.
* Superior ability to make decisions outside parameter-based situations but within binding authority.
* Superior ability to explain decisions to others and negotiate appropriate solutions.
* Solid organizational skills.
* Work closely with management to provide leadership through knowledge, confidence, and integrity.
* Demonstrated desire and commitment to learn, accept new challenges, and strive for personal improvement/growth.