Underwriting Operations Team Lead

Summary

The Underwriting Operations Lead will oversee a team of Underwriting Support Specialists in achieving the collective goals of the organization. Reporting to the Senior Underwriting Manager, this position will work closely with other Team Leads and Underwriting Managers in collaboration with our organization's management team. Responsibilities in this role include but are not limited to:

Responsibilities

• Effectively communicate company standards, mission, underwriting guidelines, and requirements to brokers, members and staff always ensuring Inspired Service.
• Ensure that all rules, procedures, and referral guidelines are properly followed by team members for all administrative functions including but not limited to, New Business app clearance, new and renewal rating, policy issuance, inspection ordering and filing, endorsement processing, mail distribution, loss run requests, MVR/Specialized ID Cards/Certificate requests, diary item follow up, renewal app follow up, and processing of automatic renewals, applications, and notices.
• Hire, develop and retain staff with direct oversight of a team of Underwriting Support Specialists, including seasonal temp specialists.
• Identify skill gaps and developmental needs and oversee plans to fill gaps and train staff in both personal and technical development. Assist in department-wide training including coordinating staff being made available to train.
• Proactively monitor and manage performance of direct reports. Including the analysis/utilization of management reports, audits, referral reviews, quality check-ins and performance reviews, etc.
• Proactively monitor timeliness in accordance with department guideline for Ins. Ops department, including review of Workflow for Underwriting Support Specialists. Work closely with Underwriting Managers to facilitate efficiency processes. Reassign business to respective units as needed.
• Proactively identify problems with staff or departmental procedures and work with Vice President of Insurance Operations, and Underwriting Managers to develop action plans to improve results with frequent feedback and coaching.
• Provide leadership and technical guidance to the Support Specialists around all aspects of day-to-day processing.
• Acting within their authority level, authorize exceptions to underwriting rules and approve endorsements on accounts exceeding Underwriting Support Specialist authority.
• Manage schedules of direct reports to ensure adequate staffing is present each day to meet production needs, including establishing back-ups for team members (as necessary), and that each staff member has an appropriate workload on a day-to-day basis.
• Establish annual goals and conduct annual performance evaluations for all direct reports.
• Conduct regular audits of direct reports to ensure compliance in respects to authority and underwriting rules.
• Shares responsibility for the continued refinement of underwriting products, guidelines, and procedures.
• Seeks out new ways to improve processes and procedures.
• Proactively and deliberately contribute to department meetings.
• Assist Senior Underwriting Manager and/or Chief Underwriting Officer with various tasks assigned, including but not limited to running reports, broker reassignments, unit assignments, staffing changes.
• Other duties as assigned or requested by the Senior Underwriting Manager.

Required Skills

• Commercial Lines Property and Casualty underwriting knowledge and skills. Must have an understanding of underwriting practices and coverages, including familiarity with ISO commercial class codes in a multi-state environment.
• Excellent communicator both written and verbally; communicates frequently in a clear, concise manner to build working relationships; able to communicate at all levels of the organization.
• Effective leader and solution-based problem solver, who anticipates issues and who seeks out and evaluates information collaboratively across impacted areas in order to develop proactive solutions.
• Highly developed organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and control work environment.
• Self-motivated and independent who can deliver quality work in a timely fashion.
• Ability to work with autonomy to make sound decisions in the management of staff.
• Consistent internal and external customer service focus. Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with customers and brokers to yield positive results.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate teams. Looks for ways to drive engagement to create development and opportunities for staff.
• Ability to delegate appropriately and maintain accountability in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient with Word, Excel, Outlook, and the Internet.
• Proficiency with policy administration systems, including errors and appropriate workaround procedures.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to bend, reach or sit for up to 3hours at a time.
• The employee must occasionally lift/and or move up to 10-20lbs
• Must have adequate vision (with corrective lenses if needed) to clearly view computer screen.
• Must have adequate hearing to perform job tasks

Experience

• 3 to 5 years work experience in a multi-line commercial carrier underwriting environment
• Prior supervisory or managerial experience over a team of underwriting assistants preferred, but not required.

Education

• 4-year degree (or directly-related equivalent experience) preferred
• CISR, AINS designations preferred

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70, $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Remote