Senior Underwriter/Team Leader - Acadia Advantage

Acadia Insurance

Acadia Insurance is a regional property casualty insurer with offices throughout the Northeast. As a member of W.R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB), one of the largest property casualty insurance holding companies in the United States, our financial strength and integrity are two of the main reasons why Independent Agents place business with us. Acadia is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, with an A+ claim paying ability rating by Standard & Poor’s.

At Acadia, we value our employees, our customers and our communities. Employees at Acadia are part of a progressive company where everyone can make a difference. We promote an inclusive environment which encourages continuous learning and the chance to grow and develop.

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

The Advantage Senior Underwriter/Team Leader manages all related underwriting tasks within the assigned territory to drive written premium growth, strong retention, and favorable loss ratio results while providing leadership and direction to underwriting staff.

• Underwrite and price new and renewal accounts in accordance with Acadia’s underwriting standards and personal underwriting authority, with a strong focus on acquisition.
• Evaluate, select, and price policies for assigned agencies to achieve underwriting profit, premium growth, desired business mix, market/agency penetration, and agency management objectives, referring risks exceeding authority to management with recommendations.
• Develop and manage assigned agency relationships with producers and customers through visitations and regular customer contact.
• Evaluate the performance of assigned agencies on an ongoing basis to ensure company and agency goals are met, participate in agency review and evaluation, and make recommendations on agency management issues.
• Communicate corporate goals, programs, underwriting policies, procedures, and guidelines to agents.
• Monitor production, hit ratios, renewal retention ratios, spread of risk, and other production and quality measures.
• Request information needed for underwriting and pricing of assigned business.
• Conduct negotiations with assigned agents.
• Coordinate loss control, claim, audit, and billing services as needed.
• Maintain a workflow for the assigned territory that meets departmental standards and expectations, and strive to improve processes to enhance service to internal and external customers.
• Demonstrate a commitment to self-development.
• Serve as a resource for others in the department and provide direction to underwriters and support staff as needed.
• Negotiate facultative reinsurance on accounts where needed.
• Train or assist in training others as necessary, helping co-workers improve their skills by sharing knowledge.
• Develop loss-sensitive pricing approaches including retrospective rating plans and large deductibles.
• Assist in the training of staff on coverages and new products.
• Develop and evaluate information regarding local market opportunities and competition, and provide recommendations regarding new products and associated rates to management.
• Work with the Home Office processing unit to ensure timely and accurate delivery of commercial insurance products, jointly identifying unprofitable business and taking appropriate underwriting action.
• Provide direction to staff members within a particular underwriting discipline.
• Maintain workflow for the assigned territory that meets all service standards and expectations of the department, consistently striving to improve workflow.
• Assist with supervision of staff in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and tracking time and attendance.

Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of experience working in the insurance industry, preferably in Commercial Lines.
• Demonstrated success in developing and maintaining positive relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including active listening for solutions.
• Demonstrated willingness to collaborate with colleagues and present in a way that influences others.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to think analytically about business problems, make recommendations, and propose solutions.
• High-energy self-starter with resilience and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Proven ability to sell and influence others.
• Goal-oriented achiever who delivers results.
• Strong underwriting and pricing skills with solid Commercial Lines insurance knowledge.
• Leadership skills and experience in staff development, supervision, or management preferred.
• Experience in workflow and process improvement.
• Basic knowledge of computer programs in a Windows environment, including Word, Excel, and Email.
• Experience with online underwriting tools (e.g., Silver Plume, Reference Connect) preferred.
• Advanced professional insurance coursework (i.e., CPCU or AU) or other insurance-related classes preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License required.

Education Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university and 7-10 years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• BA/BS degree preferred.