Manager, Underwriting

Job title: Manager, Underwriting

Job Location: Remote

Who we are:

The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group is not just another insurance company; we are a P&C Mutual company with solid grass roots within our community. We’re proud to be a leader within the P&C industry offering a Mutual experience rich with history, opportunity and exceptional customer service. We are committed to profitable growth, team development, ingenuity, build on strong connections in our remote first work environment. We encourage a work-life balance and we are serious about what we do.

Our promise to you:

Here at The Commonwell, we are all about Protecting Individuals, Together! Our vision is to continue to build an environment that develops and attracts the very best by empowering everyone to foster a workplace where everyone can perform at their very best, be their authentic self and bring their whole self to work.

The Opportunity:

Reporting to the Director, Underwriting, the incumbent is responsible for managing the Operational Underwriting & Loss Prevention teams through the assigned leaders of each respective line of business. The incumbent has shared accountability with CMIG’s collective leadership team in the successful execution of company goals, business plans and strategy. The incumbent is accountable for achieving profitable revenue targets and overseeing the Underwriting leadership team to achieve maximum results in operational efficiencies, and performance.

In this role the incumbent will demonstrate strong people leadership, knowledge, and application of industry best practices, that link to the goals of the organization. This position provides agile leadership and direction to employees in compliance with the Underwriting policies and procedures.

In co-ordination with the Director, Underwriting, the incumbent will support corporate decisions on the approach to the Underwriting handling philosophy. Further, the incumbent will champion and manage underwriting leadership through effective performance management, change management and optimization while driving continuous improvement initiatives, frontline accountability, and exceptional member service.

Who you are:

• Ability to build and maintain active and trusting working relationships with all functional units of the organization
• You will have a strong ability to effectively recognize and manage interpersonal communication needs
• You will have the ability to work as part of a cross-cultural team including flexibility in supporting multiple locations when necessary
• You will have excellent interpersonal skills in areas such as teamwork, facilitation, and negotiation
• You will have excellent people and managerial skills to support the development and mentorship or junior staff

How you will create an impact:

• Supports, in coordination with the Director, Underwriting, the development of a vision, strategy, and direction to the Underwriting (including Field Underwriting) and Loss Prevention teams to ensure the development of a high performing team that is aligned to the business priorities
• Participates in coordination with the Director, Underwriting, the development of departmental budgets and operates within the delegation of authority, managing leaders of each respective team to further align to budget requirements
• Owns the organizational image as a figurehead in community initiatives and while representing the company
• Leads the enhancement of sustainable employee engagement index scores through effective communication, recognition, and authentic leadership
• Embraces the core values and principles of the organization, demonstrating these in relationships with team members, colleagues, members, brokers/agents and other stakeholders of the business
• Actively participates in organizational leadership meetings, initiatives and industry functions relating to our strategic priorities
• Manage the Underwriting team’s capacity to maintain industry leading Service Level Agreements directly impacting CMIG’s distribution force and members. This includes developing and leading the successful execution of mitigation plans
• Overseeing, managing, and coaching an engaged and an effective Underwriting team through talent development, performance management and succession planning
• Leads and performs quality assurance audits on leader level transactions, while measuring and monitoring progress
• Ensures compliance with Internal Risk and Audit controls by managing leader level quality assurance audits on front line team members by tracking results and building mitigation action plans to address operational risk
• Manages department’s annual Operating Expense (OPEX) Budget
• Drives employee accountability, continuous improvement, standardization, and process efficiencies in ongoing leadership routines
• Builds strategies and culture centered around the ease of our members and clients to do business with us, increasing the likelihood for them to recommend CMIG
• Builds and maintain strong working relationships with all levels of leadership and employee’s and use influence and negotiation skills to gain support, achieve consensus and foster engagement
• Leads key initiatives within Underwriting and Loss Prevention teams, providing input, leadership, and monitoring outcomes
• Oversees and support front line leaders through the recruitment and selection process for the Underwriting and Loss Prevention teams
• Consults with reinsurers to communicate information, coordinate changes, and resolve areas of concern when necessary
• Promotes team building, empowerment of employees and employee development opportunities
• Enables the organization’s profitable growth strategy through the oversight of strong brokerage value propositions

What you will bring:

• 7-10 years of related experience in an Underwriting position at the leadership level with direct reports
• Completion of post-secondary education in business, insurance management or a related field
• Completion of Certified Insurance Professional/Fellowship Certified Insurance Professional designation is an asset
• A seasoned understanding of insurance related risk
• Proven superior organizational skills and ability to multitask is required
• Thorough attention to detail is necessary to ensure accuracy of underwriting documents
• Ability to conceptualize and develop innovative ideas and ways of doing things
• Demonstration of solid business acumen
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills
• Strong level of critical and logical thinking, analysis, and/or reasoning to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills
• Good project management skills and the ability to motivate teams to produce quality work within tight timeframes
• Effective communication and presentation skills; verbal, non-verbal and written; and ability to communicate on all levels of the organization; presentation skills
• Sound morals, ethics, and confidentiality with ability to develop trusting and effective working relationships with peers and employees
• Ability to identify developmental needs of employees and provide coaching, mentoring, and assistance in developing goals
• Strong computer literacy, proficiency in all Microsoft Office programs and Internet navigation

Perks of being a Commonwell Crew Member:

• Remote work environment
• Flexible Work arrangements
• Competitive Compensation Package
• Training and Development Opportunities
• Pension and savings programs
• Paid volunteer days
• Wellness and Recognition programs/Platforms

JOIN THE #Commonwell Crew! We saved you a spot!