Underwriting Manager - Commercial

Berkley Mid-Atlantic Group (BMAG) is a property and casualty insurance provider serving the Mid-Atlantic. We are a member of W. R. Berkley Corporation, one of the largest commercial lines property casualty insurance holding companies in the United States. With the resources of a large Fortune 500® corporation and the ability to operate with the closeness and flexibility of a small company, we exclusively work with select independent agents to insure the future of business.

Our culture is one that empowers employees to question the status quo and seek innovative ways to continue to exceed the expectations of our customers. We practice collaboration, creativity, and teamwork on a daily basis, with a commitment to innovation and high performance.

The company is an equal opportunity employer.

Underwriting Manager - Small Commercial leads an assigned Commercial Lines Underwriting team. Responsible for profitability, growth and retention of new and renewal business.

• Manage an assigned commercial underwriting function and staff through delegation of underwriting authority. Ensures adherence to Letter of Authority and other Underwriting standards and guidelines.
• Monitors the risk acceptability, pricing adequacy and classification accuracy of accounts to ensure profitability and managed growth of business. Consults with underwriters and Corporate Underwriting on risk acceptability, coverages, pricing, terms and conditions.
• Ensures quality of risk through passing audit scores for the team.
• Underwrites accounts exceeding authority level of underwriting staff by analyzing applications, risk services reports, Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs), financial reports, etc. Determines accurate classification of business, policy contract forms and pricing of risk. Refers accounts to Corporate Underwriting, as needed, based on established guidelines.
• Hires, trains, and develops a high performing team of Small Commercial Underwriting professionals through leadership acumen and execution. Demonstrates genuine care and delivers daily coaching to staff and leaders in order to further develop their skills set and performance for current and future roles.
• Provides frequent and specific constructive feedback on a regular basis. Contributes to the organization’s success by developing business unit and individual performance goals and measuring results. Provides recognition and acknowledgement of key achievements.
• Conducts quarterly underwriting file quality reviews and shares results with the Small Commercial Segment Leader and corporate underwriting. Develops and implements action plans in response to file quality reviews.
• Monitors service levels associated with new business opportunities, renewal issuance, and endorsements.
• Participate on projects and initiatives as assigned by senior leadership.
• Utilize an innovative, problem-solving approach with all situations – challenging the status quo and elevating messages as needed, even when difficult.
• Coach to sales commitments, and develop employee development plans for all direct reports.
• Review claims activity, loss control surveys, and inspection reports for compliance with existing policies, handling exceptions as required and recommending improvements.
• Provide support to ensure accurate and timely servicing of accounts.
• Collaborate with other departments to resolve policy issues and adherence to service standards.
• Research, formulate and implement solutions for complex issues and accounts.
• Assist Underwriters in determining final coverages and pricing for commercial risks within assigned authority level.
• Proactively work to coach underwriters in the art of agency relationships – creating clarity around agency segmentation, coaching to initial conversations, retention, follow-up, all with a focus on long-term profitability and growth.
• Help underwriters understand expectations around knowing, contacting, and deepening relationships with key producers.
• Mentor less experienced underwriters and serve as a resource for others within the department as needed.
• Successfully build, manage and execute a New Business Pipeline for self as well helping assigned underwriters build, manage,…