[Hiring] Vice President, Underwriting @AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

Role Description

The VP, Underwriting role is an experienced professional that should have a proven track record of leading functional leaders and teams and building profitable commercial lines books distributed via independent agencies, brokers, and wholesale partners, targeting small, middle-market and complex risks across various targeted industries. The VP, Underwriting will be a “hands-on” technical expert focused on targeting a wide variety of commercial risks throughout the U.S. This individual maintains a solid understanding of AmTrust’s mission, vision, and values and upholds the standards of the AmTrust organization. Reports to the Vice President – Midwest Region and has Underwriting responsibility across the 12 Midwest States: IL, IN, IA, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, OH, SD, WI, and WV.

• Leads leaders and a team that underwrites a profitable book of small, middle market and complex risks, employing the appropriate analytical diagnostics to assess acceptability.
• Demonstrate expertise in analyzing pricing adequacy.
• Negotiate terms and conditions in a highly complex and competitive environment with a broad range of independent agencies, brokers and wholesale partners.
• Exhibit advanced analytical and creative problem-solving skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Underwrite and develop a profitable book of business in support of strategic business plans while retaining a diversified mix of business to achieve overall growth and profit objectives.
• Lead the Underwriting team in developing strategy, position statements, underwriting authority and guidelines, portfolio management and pricing strategies, and a balanced scorecard for the company.
• Work closely with the Midwest Sales team in negotiating terms, conditions and premiums with agents and brokers for all lines of business.
• Continue the assessment of the current book of business and work closely with the team in ensuring continued profitability.
• Effective collaboration with AVP/RSD Sales partner and all internal business partners to drive profitable growth across the Midwest Region.
• Work with Claims and Risk Control to identify claims trends and identify underwriting changes necessary to address claim development.
• Work with Actuarial to price the book to an underwriting profit.
• Participate in reinsurance negotiations for treaties that support the business.
• Evaluate cost/benefit of market opportunities and new initiatives and make recommendations based upon cost/benefit analysis.
• Promotes and leads a performance enhancement culture by actively coaching and mentoring direct reports, providing regular feedback and developing employees for wider roles and responsibilities to foster professional growth and development.
• Managing change in a fast-paced and dynamic environment to ensure high level of engagement and performance.
• Keeps current with market trends and demands.
• Performs other functionally related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of leadership experience, with a particular emphasis on underwriting.
• Existing agent and broker relationships within the Midwest States.
• Advanced risk assessment skills with proven experience in product specialization.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret detailed subject matters including but not limited to; rate manuals, business and financial reports, contracts, legal documents, trade periodicals or professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations and respond to questions from top management, group of managers, customers, or public groups.
• Strong skills in planning, organization and development.
• Strong visionary with sales and marketing skills and the ability to communicate the vision to internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience implementing a customer focused, service-oriented underwriting function.
• Involvement with successful acquisition strategies and knowledge of techniques for successful and rapid integration of acquired companies or new business of products and/or services.
• Ability to make sound decisions based on data and risk assessment as well as ability to make a positive impact on the long-term success of the overall business.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Proven track record as a team player, able to foster excellent relationships and create a partnership atmosphere with internal and external stakeholders while achieving key objectives.
• A decisive and collaborative style that matches the speed of change and culture of the company.
• Strong critical thinking skills to lead the team to achieve optimum results.
• Property & Casualty insurance industry experience with increasing responsibility and prior supervisory experience leading a team of supervisors or managers.

Requirements

• 8+ years’ experience in a senior leadership role in underwriting.
• Existing agent and broker relationships within the Midwest States.
• CPCU or other relevant industry certifications.
• Proficient understanding of underwriting systems and technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to strategically drive business growth and profitability.
• Desired work location in Chicago, but can be based out of any of the 12 Midwest States.

Benefits

• Medical & Dental Plans
• Life Insurance, including eligible spouses & children
• Health Care Flexible Spending
• Dependent Care
• 401k Savings Plans
• Paid Time Off