Commercial Underwriting Specialist

Rated Best Places to Workand 2024 by Business Insurance Continental Western Group is a regional property casualty insurance company offering commercial products and services through independent agents in the Midwest. CWG provides unique value through the service provided by our experienced group of employees and independent agents. Since 1886 - Strong Local and Trusted.

As a Berkley company we enjoy operational flexibility that allows us to deliver quality coverage solutions. W. R. Berkley Corporation and all member insurance companies are rated A (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and carry Standard & Poors Financial Rating of A (Strong).

This role is based in one of our locations listed below where we offer a hybrid work schedule with four days in the office; and one day remote where it makes sense to do so.

• Urbandale IA
• Lincoln NE

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

As a Commercial Underwriting Specialist you will function as a top-level underwriting professional within our regional underwriting business unit. Additionally you will accept retain and price commercial insurance risks of significant size or technical complexity in accordance with established underwriting guidelines and within delegated authority level. Youll manage a book of business to achieve profitable growth objectives by properly classifying and pricing risks; building strong internal and external business relationships; analyzing competitive marketing data and developing implementing and monitoring action plans as appropriate. Serve as the point of contact for assigned agencies and are responsible for the agency relationship. Lastly youll serve as a technical underwriting resource to staff by providing knowledge and insight to underwriters.

What you can expect:

• Culture of innovation teamwork supportive colleagues and leaders willing to invest in talent
• Internal mobility opportunities.
• Visibility to senior leaders and partnership with cross functional teams.
• Opportunity to impact change.
• Benefits competitive compensation paid time off comprehensive wellness benefits and programs employer funded health savings account profit sharing 401k paid parental leave employee stock purchase plan tuition assistance and professional continuing education.

Well count on you to:

• Assess new commercial insurance risks and determine accurate classification of business policy contract forms and pricing of risk. Work within broad limits and authority on commercial underwriting accounts of significant size or high technical complexity. Interpret and analyze more complex or unusual coverage forms. Evaluate property (COPE) information liability exposures fleet and safety programs loss history financial reports risk control reports etc. Accept and price risk in accordance with established underwriting guidelines and within delegated authority level.
• Review renewal accounts by examining business operations classification contract forms and loss activity. Determine if account is an acceptable risk or if it will be non-renewed. Determine price in accordance with established underwriting guidelines and within delegated authority level. Review accounts and endorsement requests exceeding Senior Underwriter Underwriter or Underwriting Assistants authority level and take appropriate procedural action.
• Develop expand and/or enhance agency relationships to promote profitability and growth of new business and the retention of existing business. Travel and meet with agents and customers to enhance business relationships. Educate agency staff on pricing product set and risk selection philosophy. Participate in the agency management process. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of agencies and assist them in achieving the mutual goal of sustained profitable growth.
• Identify new business opportunities from the agency force to assess quote inspect and accept. Collaborate with Underwriting Business Development Risk Services Claims and Management to create strong agency partnerships and build a profitable book of business. Effectively manage a book of business to achieve established profitability growth and retention goals.
• Serve as a technical underwriting resource to underwriting staff and agents regarding products coverages and rating procedures. Provide professional development knowledge and guidance to Senior Underwriters Underwriters Underwriting Assistants and other functional areas.
• Identify and handle accounts that require placement of facultative reinsurance and facilitates placement through W.R. Berkley Corporation-approved markets.
• Assist Underwriting Managers with peer file quality reviews. Collaborate with Underwriting Managers to identify and communicate trends.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

What you need to have:

• Bachelors degree preferred.
• 10 years commercial underwriting experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• In-depth knowledge of commercial underwriting guidelines insurance forms and coverages and a proven ability to exercise good judgment and creativity when assessing and accepting large and/or technically complex commercial risks.
• Advanced and comprehensive knowledge of underwriting principles policy forms and coverage.
• Demonstrates strong business acumen critical thinking problem analysis and problem resolution skills.
• Account relationship management skills to easily build new relationships.
• Must be action oriented and have strong drive for results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts with an ability to articulate clearly and concisely.
• Ability to lead people and influence others to achieve results.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment that continuously adapts based on customer need.
• Strong organizational and desk management skills.
• Strong collaboration skills and teamwork minded.
• Regularly and consistently demonstrates commitment to company values and guiding principles.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word Excel and Outlook.

What makes you stand out:

• Completion of or working toward AU CIC CPCU or similar designation.