The Chief Underwriting Officer provides strategic direction and leadership for the Underwriting functions at BTU. This executive leader will oversee underwriting profitability and leading/developing the underwriting department for success. This includes executive level business planning, developing team members, forecasting, industry risk selection, and guidance in insurance industry affairs in all states.
- Provide high-level leadership, expertise and guidance in underwriting and insurance matters.
- Participate in the overall leadership and management of the Company as a member of the Senior Executive Team, including strategic, operational, and budget planning.
- Responsible for overall leadership and management of the underwriting staff in accordance with the Company’s policies and all applicable laws and regulations.
- Daily management of the underwriting department to ensure the effective solicitation, selection, pricing, and retention of profitable business.
- Implement underwriting strategies to meet market needs, including new underwriting programs, procedures, and products.
- Assign underwriting authority to staff and establish and maintain controls to monitor their ability to accept risks, determine pricing and coverages, and place reinsurance.
- Establish and maintain underwriting audit processes and controls to verify compliance with underwriting authorities, established guidelines, standards, and procedures.
- Oversee underwriting of difficult, complex accounts and resolve issues beyond the authority of underwriting staff.
- Collaborate with other departments regarding regulatory issues, accounting, processing, marketing, or other company issues.
- Lead the assessment and implementation of ongoing process improvements in the underwriting department as technologies and business models evolve.
- Develop and manage relationships with sister companies, W. R. Berkley, reinsurers, and vendors.
- Identify employees for promotional opportunities and create development plans to prepare them for their next step within the organization.
- Resolve performance issues consistent with company policy. Ensure compliance with company policies by all staff members.
May perform other functions as assigned