Production Underwriter

Encova Insurance is seeking a highly skilled Production Underwriter to join our team. As a key member of our underwriting team, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with our appointed agency force, driving business growth and profitability, and ensuring the delivery of exceptional customer service.

• Develop and maintain agency relationships through regular visits and communication, focusing on agency growth and profitability, progress towards Encova's profit share program, and Encova updates and organizational changes.
• Facilitate growth between Encova's profit centers and assigned agencies, identifying opportunities for expansion and development.
• Coordinate agency training and provide support to agencies to build sustainable, long-term profitable growth with Encova.
• Gather competitive intelligence and stay up-to-date on current insurance laws and regulations.
• Prospect and qualify new agents for potential appointments, and submit written reports as required.
• Attend industry events and conferences to stay informed about market trends and best practices.
• Determine the acceptability, quality, pricing, profitability, and opportunity for new and renewal business, and complete thorough risk analysis on designated accounts.
• Identify, create, and initiate new business opportunities within current book of business and assigned agencies.
• Gather and analyze information necessary to make an accurate evaluation of risk, and determine appropriate pricing based on risk exposures, risk quality, loss potential, and coverage provided.
• Utilize available resources, including company underwriting guidelines, business unit strategies, and consultation with others, to ensure adequate understanding of risk exposures.
• Prepare and participate in proposals to producers, negotiate terms and conditions, and ensure the proper issuance of policies, certificates, filings, and notifications.
• Effectively utilize rules and guidance to ensure proper policy construction, and seek guidance from management on risks exceeding assigned authority levels.
• Identify underwriting issues, recommend and develop plans for problem resolution, and implement them where appropriate.
• Manage existing and prospective accounts by actively participating in account renewals, new business presentations, and discussions with agents.
• Participate in monitoring and analyzing performance of assigned agents, initiate actions, and recognize consequences of alternative actions.
• Account management, including coordination of service delivery of various disciplines within the team, such as claim review, safety and loss services, customized reporting, etc.
• Conduct and coordinate sales and training sessions, and orientation of new products, programs, and systems for assigned agents.

• Minimum 5 years of progressive commercial lines underwriting experience in package lines and/or worker's compensation in the Property and Casualty insurance market.
• Bachelor's degree preferred, or demonstrated significant underwriting experience may substitute.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of commercial multi-line underwriting, pricing, and coverage.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective sales and marketing techniques, including the ability to partner with independent insurance agents.
• Preference may be shown for applicants with CPCU and/or ARM designation(s).
• Demonstrated strong writing skills with an emphasis on marketing.
• Ability to be creative and entrepreneurial in the approach to sales and marketing initiatives.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and tight timelines while meeting established guidelines.
• High-level interpersonal, communication, analytical, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Critical thinking: Ability to assess an individual situation and select applicable rules from an array of options, resulting in the most appropriate and sustainable decision.
• Thorough knowledge of laws and rules and their application for the assigned territory.
• Thorough working knowledge of policy and procedures regarding risk administration and risk management; underwriting and loss control.
• Thorough knowledge of the insurance industry and the business environment in which it operates in order to develop an effective business strategy and remain technically current.
• Thorough understanding of business exposure calculations, classifications, experience rating or other plan modifications.
• Ability to develop and implement account, territorial, producer, and book strategies to acquire and retain business.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to initiate, build, and maintain effective working relationships and tailor services to meet customer needs.
• Ability to use sound logic and decision-making skills to identify complex problems, analyze alternatives, then develop and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to effectively plan and lead meetings: ensure an agenda is created, appropriate materials are ready in advance, the meeting stays on task, the client's issues are addressed, and follow-up action plans are noted.
• Ability to present ideas and information to individuals and groups in a clear, concise, influential, organized, and diplomatic manner and address concerns or needs.
• Proficient in electronic mail system; use of intranet and internet; Microsoft Office products including Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and must hold a valid driver's license.