Pay Philosophy 

The typical starting salary for this position is determined by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, acquired skills, experience, education, and certifications/designations. This position may be eligible for annual merit increases and participation in our bonus program.

What are we looking for?

Join our team as a Senior Underwriter - Excess & Surplus. In this position you will be responsible for building, maintaining, and managing Ozark Specialty’s growing footprint within an assigned territory. You will also act as a peer-leader within the department by training and mentoring new underwriters, leading market and industry research efforts, and being an integral resource/subject matter expert supporting companywide projects and initiatives. 

Who we are and what we do?

At Columbia Insurance, we believe our people are the heart of our success and our greatest strength. With robust benefits, a fun, family-like atmosphere, and a culture that thrives on real connections, Columbia truly is the place to be. Our vision is to lead the industry in people-first partnerships. The best way to achieve that is by bringing together a team of skilled, passionate, and talented individuals.

Why us?

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

• 401(k) and company match

• Generous paid time off (PTO), paid company holidays, paid maternity/paternity leave, and supplemental sick leave

• Family-like culture

• Year-round wellness initiatives

• Company sponsored events

• Opportunities for professional development with conferences, events, and continued education

Company History

Our legacy has roots back to 1889 when we first became part of the mutual insurance movement in the Midwest. Today, our extensive heritage resonates nationwide, as we proudly serve customers in 14 states across the country.

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

The Senior Underwriter Excess & Surplus role is responsible for building, maintaining, and managing Ozark Specialty’s growing footprint within an assigned territory. This is achieved through forming meaningful agency relationships to solicit, underwrite, and price Excess & Surplus lines of business for our agency partners.

The Senior Underwriter also acts as a peer leader within the department by training and mentoring new underwriters, leading market and industry research efforts, and being an integral resource/subject matter expert supporting companywide projects and initiatives. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• With administrative support from the assigned Assistant Underwriter, cultivate agency relationships to grow Columbia’s Excess & Surplus book of business through selecting/pricing new business and maintaining a profitable renewal book of business. Own agency development plans and pipeline quality, setting expectations for submission completeness and class focus.
• Assess the risk acceptability and price adequacy of each unique submission that falls outside of Columbia’s traditional, admitted, insurance appetite by consulting relevant resources, coordinating with agency partners, and exercising informed judgment to balance risk and profitability. Lead decision making on complex/high hazard classes, CAT exposed property schedules, manuscript endorsements, and layered/excess structures. Senior roles will have increased authority/autonomy beyond their non-senior counterparts.   
• Approve guideline exceptions with documented rationale and coach underwriters on escalation standards.
• Set custom pricing and coverage terms for each submission opportunity and communicate complex underwriting decisions and rationale clearly to agencies. Determine rate adequacy targets and negotiate terms to achieve portfolio loss ratio goals.
• Identify and secure both property and liability facultative reinsurance, when necessary. Select reinsurance markets, negotiate facultative structures/terms, and document placement rationale.
• Lead the research and communication of emerging, compliance, regulatory, judicial, and legislative issues that may impact Columbia’s/Ozark’s book, state(s), or territory(ies) and build, lead, and execute underwriting strategies to address these developments. Translate insights into appetite statements, referral triggers, and class strategies.
• Synthesize competitive intel into actionable pricing/coverage playbooks and producer talking points; track win/loss reasons and adjust tactics.

• Lead the development of interpersonal relationships within your assigned agency plant to showcase the advantages of partnering with Ozark Specialty, facilitate partnerships, and consistently promote agency/partner accountability for results. Set and enforce agency performance goals (hit ratio, submission quality, growth mix) and conduct joint business planning.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues from multiple departments to consistently and efficiently cross market and support agency partners, serving as a knowledgeable resource to educate others on Ozark’s operational model and processes. Specifically, acts as the primary liaison for Columbia’s Niche Markets department who will have cross-functional underwriting programs.  
• Deliver training/mentorship to underwriters and AUs; conduct periodic file reviews and coach to consistency
• Enhance knowledge of insurance and underwriting through continued educational opportunities, professional designations, and internal learning opportunities.
• Act as a resource for others when needed, and participate in or lead special projects, and administrative tasks. Own strategic initiatives (e.g., appetite refresh, CAT aggregation review, form modernization).
• Holds delegated binding authority and the ability to approve manuscript endorsements per company guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned