Director, Casualty Underwriting

Director, Casualty Underwriting

Hybrid | New Hartford, NY or Charlotte, NC (Ballantyne)

Shape Underwriting Strategy. Drive Profitable Growth. Lead What’s Next.

At Utica National, underwriting excellence is at the heart of everything we do. We're seeking an experienced and strategic underwriting leader to serve as our Director of Casualty Underwriting, a highly visible role responsible for underwriting profitability, portfolio performance, risk appetite, and underwriting strategy across key casualty lines of business.

This position offers a unique opportunity to influence enterprise-wide underwriting decisions, guide product and portfolio direction, and partner with senior leaders to position the organization for sustainable, profitable growth. As a trusted advisor to underwriting leadership and the Chief Underwriting Officer, you'll help shape the future of our casualty portfolio while empowering underwriters across the organization with the tools, guidance, and expertise they need to succeed.

What You'll Do

As Director of Casualty Underwriting, you will:

• Establish and maintain underwriting appetite, guidelines, authority structures, and risk selection strategies for assigned casualty lines of business.
• Lead portfolio management efforts focused on underwriting profitability, growth, and long-term performance.
• Partner with the Chief Underwriting Officer and underwriting leadership team to develop and execute enterprise underwriting strategies.
• Monitor portfolio results, industry trends, emerging risks, and market conditions to identify opportunities and drive informed business decisions.
• Develop underwriting tools, frameworks, and decision-support resources that enhance underwriting consistency and pricing effectiveness.
• Collaborate with actuarial, product, claims, risk management, and field underwriting leaders to optimize portfolio performance.
• Provide thought leadership and technical expertise on complex casualty risks, market developments, and underwriting best practices.
• Align underwriting philosophies and appetites across business segments to support a cohesive enterprise underwriting approach.
• Evaluate catastrophe, aggregation, terrorism, and exposure management considerations in partnership with Risk Management and Operations leadership.
• Serve as a key subject matter expert on strategic projects, initiatives, and business transformation efforts.
• Support the development and delivery of underwriting training programs that strengthen technical capabilities across the organization.
• Build and maintain relationships with industry organizations, advisory groups, and external partners to remain ahead of market developments.

What Makes You Successful

We're looking for a collaborative leader who combines deep casualty underwriting expertise with strong business acumen and strategic thinking.

You may be a great fit if you have:

• 10+ years of advanced commercial casualty underwriting experience.
• Demonstrated success managing underwriting profitability, portfolio performance, or product strategy.
• Deep knowledge of commercial casualty insurance coverages, pricing, risk selection, and market dynamics.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to translate portfolio insights into business action.
• Experience influencing underwriting strategy across multiple regions, products, or business segments.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional insurance designations such as CPCU, AU, or other advanced industry credentials.

Why Utica National?

For more than a century, Utica National has built a reputation for underwriting discipline, long-term stability, and strong agency partnerships. Our employees are empowered to make meaningful contributions while working alongside experienced leaders who value collaboration, integrity, and professional growth.

When you join our team, you'll find:

• A respected and financially strong organization
• Opportunities to influence enterprise-wide strategy
• A collaborative leadership environment
• Ongoing professional development and learning opportunities
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Performance-based incentive opportunities

Compensation

Director, Casualty Underwriting
$183,600 - $215,000

This position is also eligible for participation in the Company's Variable Compensation Bonus Plan.

Compensation is determined based on factors including experience, location, education, professional designations, scope of responsibilities, and overall qualifications.