** Hybrid Opportunity **

One of the premier small commercial carriers in the northeast has retained The Carlisle Group seeking to hire a talented Vice President of Underwriting. The role, reporting to the CEO, will own the full P&L for an underwriting organization experiencing strong growth throughout their footprint. The client is seeking a talented commercial lines executive with strong emotional intelligence, a demonstrated track record of driving profitable growth, and someone with a deep passion for training & developing others.

VICE PRESIDENT - UNDERWRITING

The VP of Underwriting reports directly to the CEO and is a visible leader who owns development of the underwriting department’s policies, practices, and programs for all lines of business. The position is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing oversight of risk standards and underwriting policy. The VP of Underwriting is responsible for development and monitoring of plans for ensuring profitability and spread of risk. The role is also responsible for working in concert with other departmental leaders to support corporate initiatives and promote effective and efficient collaboration of operations. The selected individual will develop, inspire and mentor the existing underwriting organization in order to develop an environment of transparent communication, and a culture of commitment to success, continuous improvement, and enthusiasm as measured through employee engagement and operating results.

The VP of Underwriting must think ahead and plan over a 2–3-year time span; organize and manage multiple priorities; communicate effectively with all levels of the organization; attract, coach and develop talent. Must possess problem analysis and problem resolution skills at both a strategic and functional level; strong customer orientation; and interpersonal and communication skills including presentation skills. Regularly and consistently demonstrates commitment to company values and guiding principles. Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook; company business systems and various analytical tools to evaluate data. Ability to work outside normal work schedule to fulfill responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead, develop, and ensure implementation of policies, practices, procedures, standards, and guidelines to achieve growth and profitable results and acceptable loss ratios for all lines of business.
• Consult and advise underwriting staff leaders on complex risks and make underwriting decisions on risks exceeding their authority.
• Create long-term company performance targets and metrics
• Help identify risks with current strategies or markets
• Identify new and existing business opportunities that will drive growth and/or profitability
• Facilitate idea generation/innovation process
• Manage overall process and schedule of Annual Planning
• Translate corporate targets into annual targets and goals for underwriting unit
• Actively participate in the corporate management team.
• Establish internal underwriting department objectives.
• Build and coach underwriting department leadership team.
• Provide oversight for selection, development, training, promotion, and discipline of the underwriting staff.
• Supervise underwriting leadership. Monitor performance and provide guidance, feedback, formal performance assessments, and salary recommendations.
• Develop, monitor, and assess underwriting productivity and service standards.
• Develop and oversee strategic plans and projects assigned to or involving underwriting.
• Participate in product and pricing reviews.
• Represent company underwriting at all legal and regulatory meetings as required
• Cooperate with other departments to manage agency force relationships.
• Plan, coordinate, and/or conduct underwriting training sessions for the agency force and other departments within the organization.
• Occasional travel to agents’ offices and various outings to promote the organization’s missions and initiatives.
• Attend industry events designed to maintain professional expertise and market awareness and establish network of contacts.
• Prepare and/or present underwriting department reports for the board of directors.
• Other tasks as requested by executive management.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and monitor the department’s budget, administer salaries and other departmental administrative tasks.
• Actively participate in continuing education.
• Embrace and promote the corporate mission.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Common Competencies:

Analytical Skills
Collects, sorts and analyzes complex or diverse information; Analyzes or simplifies workflows and procedures to eliminate redundant or unnecessary costs; Identifies data relationships and dependencies

Business Acumen
Understands business implications of decisions; Actions contribute to profitable growth; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition.

Focus on Results
Pursues commitments and deadlines until completion; Takes responsibility for outcomes; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Recognizes and acts on opportunities.

Leadership
Links vision, values and goals to strategic initiatives; Builds and maintains trust with others; Fosters an environment that results in a highly engaged workforce; Inspires and motivates others to achieve goals; Offers praise and recognition; Aligns the right work with the right people; Responds positively to and champions change; Promotes continual learning and development; Recruits, coaches and develops high performing team; Leads effective and productive monthly team meetings; Drives expense control and efficiency.

Managing Performance
Sets clear, meaningful, challenging and attainable goals; Holds individuals accountable to meet goals and objectives; Provides ongoing, timely and constructive feedback; Links rewards to performance metrics; differentiates between high and low performance; Deals promptly with performance deficiencies by developing solutions and monitoring progress; Creates training and development plans to address skill and talent gaps.

Strategic Thinking
Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths and weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition to identify external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Leadership Competencies and Personal Characteristics

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following leadership competencies and personal characteristics:

• Strategic thinking, with the ability to consider a broad range of external and internal factors when solving problems and making decisions.
• Strong business and financial analytical leadership skills, with the ability to grasp complexities and relationships among business and financial issues.
• Strong team player who works well in a collaborative environment and seeks input from others.
• An open mindset. Someone who actively seeks input in a team environment.
• Ability to coach and develop management teams and drive execution of initiatives.
• Innovative. A person who will inspire new thinking, generate ideas and discussion, and foster an environment willing to change and adapt.
• Think as a business owner and demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset, recommending ideas for opportunities to grow the business, and consider proactively how new ideas could benefit the organization.
• Strong decision-making skills, including the ability to deal effectively with ambiguity and to make decisions under conditions of uncertainty and with less than perfect information.
• Strong performance orientation and focus on results.
• Ability to effectively manage numerous key initiatives simultaneously.
• Highly developed oral and written communications skills, possessing the ability to influence and persuade others and represent the company with internal and external audiences.
• Highest degree of integrity and ethics.
• Consistently delivers on commitments. Sets clear and high expectations and holds self and others accountable for decisions and results achieved.
• Given the risk associated with Property & Casualty insurance, this executive must be very disciplined in problem solving, management and process leadership.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent oral and written communications.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Thorough understanding of risk selection, policy forms, and endorsements for all lines of business. Must have an in-depth knowledge of policy content and coverage intent. Must be proficient in the fundamentals of all lines of business, including an understanding of regulations, rating, rules, manual, company guidelines and procedures, and state laws.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn AAIS forms.
• Working knowledge of policy systems, on-line systems, and testing protocols.
• Excellent organizational skills. Ability to prioritize, organize, and handle multiple tasks in an efficient manner with on-time delivery.
• Ability to lead projects to achieve designated objectives.
• Ability to work independently and carry out assignments to completion with minimal oversight.
• Proficiency in use of computers including productivity software and electronic communication systems.
• Ability to travel with occasional overnight stays.
• Maintain work performance at satisfactory or standard level.
• Ability to comply with department and company policies and procedures.

• Lead people and get results through others

EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S./B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university
• Industry education (CPCU highly desired)
• Ten years commercial underwriting experience
• Demonstrated experience in leadership

“This compensation range reflects the company's expectations for this position at the time of posting. Actual pay will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, alignment with role responsibilities, education, demonstrated skills, and performance during the interview process."

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