Senior Underwriter

UE provides liability insurance and risk management services to about 1,600 members representing K-12 schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States. With over 35 years serving education, we bring deep expertise to our members and focus on delivering an experience that leaves them feeling confident that we understand their needs and offer insights and solutions suited for their unique challenges. These sentiments are echoed in our culture, where we believe that building on and embracing our unique differences and perspectives enables us to better serve our members and fulfill UE's mission.

Overview:

The Senior Underwriter will be responsible for ensuring profitable growth of book of business by appropriately evaluating the acceptability of risks. Builds relationships with members and brokers to manage a challenging and/or complex portfolio of accounts.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Evaluate applications, account loss experience, and other sources of information to determine eligibility and develop coverage and premium proposals
• Negotiate coverage terms and premiums with brokers and members to maintain renewals and attract new business in accordance with underwriting guidelines and corporate goals
• Document underwriting thought process and decisions
• Quote, issue, and release binders and process policies and endorsements
• Respond to broker/member questions regarding scope of coverage, services, and company philosophy
• Develop and nurture broker and member relationships
• Travel periodically to brokers and members; coordinate conference calls
• Participate in special projects and other duties as required
• Understand and appropriately react to more complex accounts and coverage issues
• Act as a resource for referrals as well as mentor for less senior staff
• Pass all internal self audits as well as act as auditor during audit of underwriting files of colleagues
• Collaborate with Product Development to draft policy language and manuscript endorsements where necessary
• Gather pertinent competitive information to assist in developing recommendations for product development
• Partner with Business Development to support marketing activities by developing ongoing relationships with brokers to discuss market, quality and profitability of submissions, service standards, and underwriting and/or product changes
• Train and educate brokers, members and/or UE staff on Company products, services, processes and underwriting philosophy
• Attend company sponsored events and industry functions
• Promote the Company's products and services by actively seeking opportunities to speak to brokers or insurance-related groups and by networking within the insurance community to stay abreast of changes within the industry
  
  

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• At least 6 years of commercial lines underwriting experience or equivalent substitute experience; Professional Liability experience is desirable
• CPCU or similar professional insurance designation preferred
• Requires mastery of skills of a Level III Underwriter and exemplifies the UE Values of Teamwork, Innovation
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to multitask and negotiate diplomatically; proven ability to find creative solutions that strike appropriate balance between member and broker needs while adhering to company underwriting standards; comfortable walking away from the deal, if necessary
• Demonstrated depth in negotiation, analytical and problem solving skills, decision making, quantitative reasoning and critical thinking skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to overcome objections and create win/win situations
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with brokers, members and other UE departments; must also exemplify superior teamwork
• Proven ability to act as a role model and change agent
• The ability to thrive in an atmosphere of constant change
  
  

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation and benefits package for full-time employees
• Hybrid schedule - employees work in our office 2-3 days per week
• Work-life balance - like the service we provide to our members, we want our employees to feel assured, cared for, and enlightened
• Inclusive and supportive culture that embraces diverse ideas and opinions
• Monthly lunches and various social events throughout the year