Small Business Underwriting Team Leader

Job Title: Small Business Underwriting Team Leader
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-time 
Location: Hybrid - defined as three days in office if residence is within 50 miles of Westfield Center, OH or Remote - if residence is over 50 miles from Westfield Center, OH

About Us:
You’re ready to make your mark where people care about each other. Where your work is meaningful. And where your unique perspectives are welcome. Think about joining Westfield, a company focused on what’s most important – the people behind our policies.  

Westfield was founded in 1848 by a small group of hard-working farmers who believed in the promise of the future and the power of the individual. Today, as one of the nation’s leading property and casualty (P&C) companies, we remain true to their vision and are dedicated to making a positive difference in our customers’ lives.

Responsibilities :

• Responsible for leading a team of small business underwriters handling medium-touch / high-touch new and renewal business that requires underwriting expertise and individual risk decision making aligned to the Small Business appetite.
• Responsible for the productivity, prioritization, balancing of workloads, and sound underwriting decisions of their team of underwriters.
• Responsible for handling underwriting referrals exceeding the authority limits of their team members.
  • Exercises underwriting authority to achieve profit through quality risk selection and exposure control.
• Ensures alignment and collaboration with the Underwriting Operations Team and Territory Managers/Leaders, driving business development best practices in the underwriting environment, aligned to field operations.
  • Partners with Territory Leader/Managers ensuring alignment to territory strategy & vision, creating a shared accountability and “team” environment for underwriting, underwriting support, and territory partners.
•  Ensures efficient, consistent, quality underwriting decisions and ensures adherence to compliance of all underwriting rules and policies.
• Utilizes their knowledge, experience, technical underwriting and subject matter expertise to coach and mentor team members.
  • Partners with the QA underwriting function, utilizing findings to help develop underwriting acumen and decision making of the team.
  • Works to increase the overall business and underwriting acumen of the team and its members through one-on-one interactions (e.g. reviewing underwriting decisions, answering questions, listening to phone calls).
• Ensures individual authority grants for underwriters are established following a well-calibrated, objective, data-driven process.
• Remains current on industry topics, trends, methods (e.g. processes), best practices, etc. through research, industry events, networking, etc. Shares knowledge gained with others.
• Collaborates with and leverages corporate shared services functions to bring the Small Business competitive strategy to life and achieve Small Business results; aligns with corporate governance while maintaining a singular focus on the small business customer. Builds and utilizes strong partnerships to drive alignment for the mutual benefit of both Small Business and the organization.
• Travels as needed in order to perform other essential functions.

Qualifications: 

• Minimum of 7 years of Commercial and/or Small Business P&C insurance experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of underwriting experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of direct and/or indirect leadership experience.
• Experience tactfully and persuasively handling conflict.
• Experience maintaining a high degree of customer service focus and professionalism.
• Experience analyzing problems and developing strategies for resolution.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, resulting in the ability to interact with all levels within the organization and with customers.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college/university OR commensurate experience.
• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record that conforms to company standards.
• Physical  essential functions: ability to work 40 hours in an office environment (sitting, standing, on a computer, etc.), operate office related technology (computer, phone, etc.), travel as required.

Westfield offers a Total Rewards program that focuses on compensation, benefits and wellness, and includes perks like 401(k), pension plan, annual incentive, education reimbursement, onsite fitness center or gym reimbursement and casual dress. Work/life balance, recognition, and learning and career development are all part of a rewarding career with Westfield. 

Learn more about current opportunities at www.westfieldinsurance.com/careers.

We are an equal opportunity employer/minority/female/disability/protected veteran.

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