Underwriting Specialist - Western Region

The Underwriting Specialist for Western Region Underwriting is responsible for using technical, sales and analytical skills to provide insurance solutions that help CNA’s customers manage risk. The Specialist will have a thorough understanding of CNA’s International and local strategies and appetites and will use internal and external data to make appropriate individual and portfolio risk decisions.

The Underwriting Specialist is a key referral point for the Western Region and is responsible for the profitable growth of an assigned portfolio of business, utilizing underwriting policies and guidelines, rating manual rules and insurance laws and country regulations.

RESPONSIBILIITES (other duties may be assigned):

Underwriting Expertise

  • Reviews applications and financial requirements to determine acceptability of International risk in accordance with CNA’s guidelines and standards
  • Understands pricing components (DIC/DIL and local placements) and rating methodology as well as use of the predictive modeling tools; prices risk based on financial and competitive analysis
  • Uses all appropriate underwriting tools, disciplines and knowledge of strategies to ensure underwriting guidelines are followed
  • Demonstrates technical underwriting skills through strategic, thorough account reviews and file documentation
  • Functions as an underwriting resource
  • Prepares or analyzes information on adverse underwriting decisions, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status and declinations in order to drive results within the assigned territory
  • Communicates in clear and concise manner with CNA Partners
  • Adheres to CAT guidelines and underwriting discipline to minimize exposure and appropriately price
  • Collaborates development of marketing and presentation material for CNA business
  • Adheres to letter of authority as assigned.
  • Keeps current on country/provincial issues, regulations and trends and follows any related sanctions.

Portfolio Management

  • Manages assigned portfolio to achieve gross written premium, profitability, rate, retention, product mix, new business and portfolio management goals
  • Prioritizes time and resources to effectively manage and optimize producer performance
  • Operates with an Enterprise perspective to identify cross sell opportunities and create growth within other lines of business and customer segments
  • Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of CNA’s products and appetite while clearly communicating CNA’s position at the point of sale
  • Provide monthly reporting on status of production and new business.

Sales & Distribution Management

  • Builds/maintains rigorous sales practices using all CNA systems including SalesForce.com and other sales tools and disciplines
  • Develops producer relationships to build pipeline, agency intelligence, and drives performance to meet and exceed results
  • Develops and implements distributor specific plans, monitors performance, and adjusts plan to ensure a substantial pipeline for future profitable growth
  • Monitor in collaboration with the team the timely premium collection and deliver of local policies and documentation.
  • Drives effective relationship management and customer activities to build trust, facilitate negotiation and secure commitment with the customer
  • Proactively identifies cross-sell opportunities and partners with other underwriters to deliver comprehensive insurance solutions for the customer

In all responsibilities and interactions, all employees are expected to adopt and align with CNA’s Winning Behaviours – to be externally focused, accountable, collaborative, innovative, and continuously learning.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

  • University degree, combined with CIP designation (or progress towards completion) and 5-8 years of Property and Casualty underwriting experience.
  • Knowledge of underwriting processes, coverages, and tools to gather and evaluate information in order to reach appropriate decisions on renewals and new business
  • Ability to effectively interact and communicate with all levels of external and/or internal business partners within scope of responsibility, team and/or matrix environment
  • Ability to uncover customer needs, position specific solutions, handle objections and close deals
  • Ability to exercise judgment, negotiate and make sound business decisions effectively based on level of authority
  • Strong ability to identify, analyze and solve problems as well as the ability to learn rapidly, adapt quickly to change, exercise influence, and manage and prioritize multiple concurrent projects
  • Demonstrated coaching skills.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other business-related software.

    Additional Information:

Company Overview

CNA is a leading specialist commercial insurance provider. We are part of CNA Financial Corp, the 7th largest U.S. commercial property and casualty insurance company. Established in 1897, CNA has approximately 7,000 employees, serving businesses and professionals in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. We offer a wide range of products and services, providing a superior suite of insurance solutions that any organisation conducting business requires.

Why Choose CNA?

Our winning proposition is our commitment to our customers: We offer more than just a policy – we deliver distinctive insurance solutions and we promise a superior customer service. How we deliver on this commitment is what sets us apart from the competition. Here are just some of the reasons you should choose us:

  • Our people: We recognise that our employees bring our commitment to our customers to life. Our priority is to be a great place to work so we continue to attract, retain and develop the best talent in the market.
  • Our product offering: We develop innovative and specialised solutions by product and industry specialism and create certainty for customers through the delivery of underwriting and service excellence. This comprehensive global product offering supported by superior claim and risk control services is hard to replicate.
  • Our relationships: We believe in building enduring relationships and want to focus our energy on partnering with customers and producers who value our approach and seek the same.
  • Our track record: Our financial strength underpins our contract with our customers. We receive consistently high ratings from AM Best and Standard and Poor’s proving our ability to deliver on our commitment should the worst happen.

Treating Customers Fairly

  • We deal with our Customers in a professional, open and honest way at all times
  • Designing and delivering products that meet their needs;
  • Ensuring that no claims are unreasonably rejected; and

As a full-time employee your benefits include:

  • A competitive salary
  • An annual performance bonus
  • A pension plan
  • Flexible work hours
  • Top of the line medical and dental insurance
  • And many more benefits (fitness subsidy, in-house training, etc.)

    We are excited to learn more about you!

    We encourage you to discuss this opportunity with your Manager and indicate your interest in this position to Human Resources at (CanadaHR@cna.com).

At CNA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants based on job-related qualifications and ability to perform a job. If you require an accommodation during the hiring process or upon hire, please inform Human Resources. If a selected applicant requests accommodation during the recruitment process, CNA will consult with the applicant in order to provide suitable accommodation that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs.

No agencies please. Submission of Cover Letter and Resume.