Program Manager - Underwriting

Program Manager - Underwriter
NASW Assurance Services, Inc. (ASI)

Location: Washington, D.C. | Hybrid
Employment Type: Full-time | Exempt
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

About the Opportunity
Help build an underwriting operation from the ground up.

NASW Assurance Services, Inc. (ASI) is seeking an Underwriter Program Manager to establish and manage the underwriting program for its Risk Retention Group (RRG), serving social workers, behavioral health professionals, and the organizations that support them.

Reporting to the CEO, you will lead underwriting launch readiness, develop guidelines and operating processes, and oversee program performance. You will also serve as the primary internal underwriter, evaluating applications, determining terms and pricing within approved authority, and handling complex referrals.

This role combines hands-on specialty underwriting with program leadership. You will supervise one direct report and help recruit and develop a small underwriting team as the RRG grows. Success requires sound judgment, practical execution, and comfort working in an entrepreneurial environment where systems and processes are still being created.

What You Will Do
Build and Lead the Underwriting Program
-Translate business objectives and approved risk appetite into underwriting plans, priorities, and measurable operating goals.
-Develop and maintain underwriting guidelines, eligibility criteria, authority levels, referral procedures, service standards, and quality controls.
-Lead underwriting launch activities, coordinating milestones, resources, dependencies, readiness reviews, and issue resolution with the CEO and external partners.
-Partner with actuarial, legal, and regulatory advisors on pricing, rate adequacy, regulatory readiness, and the approved plan of operation.

Apply Technical Underwriting Expertise
-Personally underwrite professional liability, general liability, cyber liability, and related exposures.
-Evaluate applicants’ services, licensure, jurisdictions, staffing, revenue, claims history, contractual exposures, and other relevant risk factors.
-Make and document underwriting decisions within approved authority, including pricing, terms, limits, exclusions, and endorsements.
-Serve as the escalation resource for complex risks, referrals, exceptions, and coverage questions.

Improve Operations and Monitor Performance
-Develop practical procedures, data controls, reporting, and audit practices that support accurate, efficient underwriting.
-Work with technology partners to translate underwriting needs into system requirements, workflows, and testing.
-Monitor portfolio performance, including premium, retention, claims trends, loss ratios, concentrations, and service quality.
-Recommend corrective actions and present findings and program updates to the CEO; support Board, actuarial, and regulatory reporting.

Develop People and Partnerships
-Supervise, coach, and develop one direct report; help build the underwriting team as staffing is approved.
-Establish goals, assess performance, and delegate authority within approved limits while maintaining hands-on underwriting involvement.
-Coordinate with claims, actuarial, reinsurance, technology, sales, operations, and external administrators.
-Communicate underwriting decisions clearly and respectfully to applicants, policyholders, association partners, and internal teams.

What You Bring
-Bachelor’s degree in insurance, risk management, business, finance, healthcare administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
-Seven or more years of progressive underwriting experience, including at least three years in professional liability, errors and omissions, healthcare/allied health liability, or a closely related specialty liability line.
-Demonstrated leadership of underwriting programs, implementation projects, process improvements, or cross- functional initiatives, with accountability for results.
-Experience independently managing a book of business, evaluating complex risks, and improving underwriting guidelines, rating practices, referrals, and reporting.
-Strong coverage analysis, risk assessment, analytical, and program management skills.
-Ability to influence partners, lead change, and resolve issues across organizational boundaries.
-Clear written and verbal communication, including underwriting documentation, training, and executive presentations.
-Proficiency with underwriting and policy administration systems, rating tools, Excel, and reporting dashboards.

Preferred qualifications: Experience with an RRG, captive, specialty carrier, MGA, program administrator, or association-sponsored insurance program; familiarity with social work, behavioral health, or social services exposures; and a Property & Casualty producer license or other relevant insurance licenses.

About ASI
NASW Assurance Services, Inc. is a wholly owned, for-profit subsidiary of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), operating independently under a separate Board of Directors. ASI provides insurance and related benefits that enhance the value of NASW membership and supports NASW through dividends and sponsorships.

As a national insurance agency and brokerage, ASI manages the marketing, administration, and delivery of insurance programs. Its small team works with external specialists across insurance operations, accounting, investment management, tax, and legal services.

Our values—People, Integrity, Commitment, and Excellence—guide how we work. We value respectful relationships, honest communication, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Team members contribute across functions and support one another when priorities require it.

Work Environment and Equal Opportunity
This position involves computer-based work and local and national travel. Occasional lifting or transporting of items up to 25 pounds may be required. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

ASI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, sex, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other status protected by applicable law. We are committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.