Penn National Insurance has an amazing opportunity to join our Central Atlantic Office team as a Middle Market Commercial Lines Underwriter. This is a hybrid position reporting to our Harrisburg home office.
The Middle Market Commercial Lines Underwriter analyzes and reviews information, developments, and trends on new and renewal accounts with premiums exceeding $25,000 to determine the risks associated with insuring the accounts while ensuring compliance with established underwriting strategies and regulatory requirements. This position actively builds relationships with agents to ensure a strong pipeline of submissions. The Middle Market Commercial Lines Underwriter exercises their authority to decide whether to offer, continue, modify, or reject insurance. This position is also responsible for finalizing the amounts and types of coverage and determining the appropriate premium.
COMPETENCIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE MIDDLE MARKET COMMERCIAL LINES UNDERWRITER
Business Acumen
Reviews new business, renewals, endorsements, and quote requests to determine acceptability using established underwriting authority and company guidelines.
Communicates underwriting decisions, techniques, and interpretation of policy forms and coverages with agents and company personnel regarding risk acceptability, incomplete information, etc.
Provides feedback to the Underwriting Manager and designated Territory Manager on quality of submissions and interactions with agency personnel.
Communicates underwriting and marketing philosophy or practices to agents and policyholders and assists with education/training issues within agency.
Documents the underwriting files where required including the actions taken, reasons for decisions, and any follow-up diary needed.
Embraces Data Analytics
Applies data to solve common business problems.
Compiles, manipulates, and analyzes data of varying complexity.
Knowledgeable and proficient about what tools are available for data analysis and when they are appropriate to use.
Negotiation
Visits agencies with/without the designated Territory Manager to discuss underwriting matters, assist in the development of new business and to strengthen agency relations.
Responds to Insurance Department complaints and attends periodic hearings.
Results Oriented
Drives profitable new business growth.
Provides input to the Branch Management team about individual agency underwriting performance (i.e., Agency Review meeting, Quarterly Results Management meeting, etc.)
Provides input to RVP and/or TM/SR TM on agency performance based on production results, loss ratio (profitability) results, declination ratio, and other measures.
Time & Priority Management
When requested by the Underwriting Manager, may assist in the training of Small Business Commercial Underwriters, and/or act in a consulting capacity to the Small Business Commercial Underwriter position.
Supports special underwriting projects and initiatives. These may include, but not limited to, loss prevention, targeted re-underwriting programs, and book rollovers.
Decision Making
Establishes appropriate account pricing in accordance with established underwriting authority and company guidelines.
Orders and/or analyzes loss control reports, financial reports, MVRs, and other underwriting reports.
Evaluates the need for and secure appropriate facultative reinsurance in accordance with established company guidelines.
Contributes to the development of company underwriting policy, procedures, and guidelines to assure they reflect current market conditions and contribute to the attainment of division goals.
Performs various projects requested or assigned by the Underwriting Manager.
CORPORATE CORE COMPETENCIES OF THE MIDDLE MARKET COMMERCIAL LINES UNDERWRITER
Effectively Communicates and Connects
Communicates and negotiates effectively with peers regarding work outcomes.
Influences by making a strong case, bringing other people on the team to understand the presented viewpoint.
Provides feedback and is clear when disagreeing with an approach; offers suggestions for improvement.
Attentively listens and asks clarifying questions and paraphrases to enhance understanding.
Builds and nurtures positive relationships within the workplace.
Customer Focused
Identifies explicit and implied customer needs.
Asks probing questions to fully understand business requirements.
Develops positive relationships with customers by meeting their needs as well as incorporating their feedback.
Responds quickly and takes action with high quality solutions that address needs and improve overall customer experience.
Owns resolution of customer experience outcome.
Talent Development Mindset
Discusses technical and professional development with peers to gain suggestions for further development.
Actively seeks and acts on opportunities to recognize peers for high performance.
Stays alert to identify learning opportunities for self.
Demonstrates Adaptability
Contributes to progressive thinking within the team by posing questions that challenge traditional methods or processes.
Proposes ideas and suggests new approaches to tackling own work tasks and issues in a better way to drive organization success.
Participates in and actively supports change initiatives and provides ideas to promote their success.
Recognizes and manages an ambiguous work environment.
Demonstrates flexibility in generating alternative solutions and recommendations.
Demonstrates Accountability
Applies judgment in making decisions about own work and takes responsibility for actions.
Demonstrates reliability by producing steady work results and delivering on commitments to team members on time.
Takes responsibility for regularly seeking and applying feedback and actively learning from errors and setbacks.
Understands the mission of the organization.
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS FOR THE MIDDLE MARKET COMMERCIAL LINES UNDERWRITER
This position reports to the Underwriting Manager
Direct contact with various levels of underwriting, loss control, premium audit, and claims personnel
Direct contact with agents and insureds
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE MIDDLE MARKET COMMERCIAL LINES UNDERWRITER
Education/Credentials
4 - year degree or equivalent work experience or continuing education in CPCU, AU, IIA or CIC preferred
Experience
Minimum of 3 years of Commercial Lines underwriting experience required
Technical/Professional Knowledge
Thorough working knowledge of underwriting and pricing risks
Thorough working knowledge of company underwriting standards and philosophy
Thorough working knowledge of all commercial lines insurance coverages forms, pricing strategies and the use of modeling and valuation tools
Must have well-developed negotiation skills with the ability to tactfully explain and defend underwriting decisions while maintaining and promoting a positive business relationship with agents
Good math aptitude
Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Good PC skills with an emphasis on Microsoft Office Suite; along with demonstrated proficiency in all supplied desktop tools, including the automated underwriting and email systems
Proven ability to handle multiple and complex tasks
Must have the ability to function with autonomy and independence
JOB REQUIREMENTS (as required by ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act)
This position is primarily a sedentary position that requires occasional standing and walking throughout the office environment.
Must be able to see and effectively use a computer monitor.
Must be able to operate a computer, keyboard and applicable printers and other general office equipment.
Must be able to access and enter information accurately using automated systems.
Must be able to hear and communicate via the telephone and/or monitoring devices to both internal and external clients.
Must be able to present information to individuals and groups.
Must be able to interpret and apply concepts that may or may not be based upon established guidelines.
Must be able to maintain acceptable attendance and adhere to scheduled work hours.
Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
Must be able to travel with overnight stays as required.
Only candidates from the following states will be considered: Alabama, Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin.
