Underwriter - Excess & Surplus

Underwriter - Excess & Surplus Quick Apply Quick Apply Description Pay Philosophy The typical starting salary for this position is determined by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, acquired skills, experience, education, and certifications/designations. This position may be eligible for annual merit increases and participation in our bonus program. What are we looking for? Join our team as an Underwriter - Excess & Surplus. In this position, you will build, maintain, and manage Ozark Specialty’s growing footprint within an assigned territory Who we are and what we do? At Columbia Insurance, we believe our people are the heart of our success and our greatest strength. With robust benefits, a fun, family like atmosphere, and a culture that thrives on real connections, Columbia truly is the place to be. Our vision is to lead the industry in people first partnerships. The best way to achieve that is by bringing together a team of skilled, passionate, and talented individuals. Why us? Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage 401(k) and company match Generous paid time off (PTO), paid company holidays, paid maternity/paternity leave, and supplemental sick leave Family like culture Year round wellness initiatives Company sponsored events Opportunities for professional development with conferences, events, and continued education Company History Our legacy has roots back to 1889 when we first became part of the mutual insurance movement in the Midwest. Today, our extensive heritage resonates nationwide, as we proudly serve customers in 14 states across the country. BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY The “Underwriter – Excess & Surplus” role is responsible for building, maintaining, and managing Ozark Specialty’s growing footprint within an assigned territory. This is achieved through forming meaningful agency relationships to solicit, underwrite, and price Excess & Surplus lines of business for our agency partners. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS With administrative support from the assigned Assistant Underwriter and managerial support, cultivate agency relationships to grow Columbia’s Excess & Surplus book of business through selecting/pricing new business and maintaining a profitable renewal book of business. Assess the risk acceptability and price adequacy of each unique submission that falls outside of Columbia’s traditional, admitted, insurance appetite by consulting relevant resources, coordinating with agency partners, and exercising informed judgment to balance risk and profitability. Set custom pricing and coverage terms for each submission opportunity and communicate complex underwriting decisions and rationale clearly to agencies. Identify and secure both property and liability facultative reinsurance, when necessary. Stay apprised of emerging compliance, compliance, regulatory, judicial, and legislative issues that may impact your book, state, or territory and build/execute underwriting strategies to address them. Keep appraised of competitive intelligence within the assigned territory and position Columbia’s strategic advantages and value proposition to consistently win in the market. Lead the development of interpersonal relationships within your assigned agency plant to showcase the advantages of partnering with Ozark Specialty, facilitate partnerships and consistently promote agency/partner accountability for results. Work collaboratively with colleagues from multiple departments to consistently and efficiently cross-market and support agency partners, serving as a knowledgeable resource to educate others on Ozark’s operational model and processes. Enhance knowledge of insurance and underwriting through continued educational opportunities, professional designations, and internal learning opportunities. Act as a resource for others when needed and participate in or lead special projects, and administrative tasks. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Minimum of five (5) years of experience in the commercial insurance industry, with strong knowledge of coverage, rates, and terms specific to General Liability, Product Liability, and Property lines of business. Excellent interpersonal skills, together with solid written and oral communication skills. You should be able to effectively communicate complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences. Excellent computer skills (e.g., Excel, Word, SharePoint) and the ability and willingness to learn new skills/systems and demonstrate high accuracy output. Familiarity with underwriting software and data analysis tools is a plus. Strong problem-solving, reasoning, and decision-making skills with attention to detail. You should be able to analyze complex information and make sound underwriting using Company Guidelines and Best Practices. The ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks while meeting established deadlines and quality standards. Strong organizational skills are essential. Proven team player, with an enthusiastic and positive personality. You should be able to work collaboratively with colleagues and agency partners. Ability to travel up to 35% for agency visits, industry events, or training sessions. EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Insurance Certification: INS 21, 22, 23, or relevant insurance coursework and/or insurance related designations such as CPCU EOE Columbia Insurance prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are unable to complete the electronic application for any reason, please contact Meredith Craig: [email protected] 573-777-4094