SME Property Practice Lead

Argo Group is a leader in specialty insurance with a vibrant culture built on respect, equality, wellness and opportunity. We’re an innovative organization that’s small enough to be agile and big enough to make a difference in our industry.  

Our flexible workplace is continuously evolving to ensure all employees feel: 

• Comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. 
• Confident that they will be treated respectfully. 
• Recognized for their performance and provided with equal opportunities to succeed. 

At Argo, skill meets opportunity. If you’re wired to raise your hand and ask, “Where can I help?”, you’ll thrive with us. 

Argo Group is actively recruiting a SME Property Practice Leader. This role can be remote or based in any Argo US office.

The primary duties and responsibilities of the role are:

• Underwrite new and renewal property business coming from appointed wholesale and retail brokers.
• Build, manage and develop and underwriting team of 3-4 production underwriters and individual contributors.
• Build a property portfolio of small to medium size property accounts focused on full limits or ground-up placements.  
• Establish and communicate underwriting profit goals and other measurements including loss ratio, new business development, policy count, account retention, etc.
• Analyze individual risks and book of business results to manage and control underwriting exposure and pricing strategy consistent with company objectives.
• Provide leadership and advice to division staff in regard to underwriting risks.
• Assist with Portfolio Management and Aggregate Management to ensure that Catastrophe writings do not exceed the risk tolerance of the Company.
• Partner with the SVP of US Property to develop strategies and actions to resolve adverse trends or deviations from established underwriting standards identified through producer and account review audits.
• Conduct Development Reviews and engage direct reports in developmental and skill building opportunities.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection process to ensure the organization has the necessary talent to accomplish business goals.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships within and outside Argo Group to develop and drive new business opportunities. Work with internal and external business units to develop joint business plans, value propositions and cross-marketing programs.
• Represent the company at networking functions and other industry-related events that present and promote departmental initiatives to other external constituencies as appropriate.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships within and outside Argo Group to develop and drive new business opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal and external business units to develop joint business plans, value propositions and cross-marketing programs.
• Act as a role model demonstrating belief in, and commitment to, the aspiration values of Argo Group, continuing to build and lead a value-based organization committed to long-term success.
• Other duties as assigned.

Core qualifications and requirements for this position include:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and at least 10 years of industry experience.
• Experience with large layered and shared property placements.
• Experience handling catastrophe-exposed accounts (high hazard wind, high hazard earthquake, etc.) with an understanding of catastrophe modeling and pricing.
• Experience with attritional, fire business and associated loss control techniques.
• Proven leadership capabilities with a sound influence in dealing with challenging situations. 
• Demonstrates strong ability to partner with finance, actuarial, IT and marketing resources. 
• Demonstrates significant contribution to underwriting profit.
• Independent decision maker – takes full responsibility for making decisions and consequences associated with decisions.
• Recognized as a leader within the organization that provides advice and guidance to others.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the E & S external market and contributes to the development of business strategy.
• Have established relationships with external clients and professional network.
• Continually seeks opportunities for niche products and potential agent opportunities.
• Effective oral and written communication, including influence and negotiation skills.
• Experience in delivering presentations to all internal and external audiences.
• Proven employee development, mentoring, coaching and performance management skills.
• Proficient in the use of computer programs, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

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The range provided is