Underwriting Specialist (Commercial Middle Market)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Grow your underwriting career at a company that offers access and collaboration with the home office, ample promotional opportunities and evolving underwriting centers that allow you to focus on larger accounts.

CNA’s Commercial Middle Markets team provides standard lines commercial property and casualty insurance products such as General Liability, Property, Inland Marine, Commercial Auto, Workers' Compensation, and Umbrella to businesses of all sizes.

Our Middle Markets team underwrites a diverse mix of business and industry classes including Manufacturing, Professional Services, Financial Institutions, Real-estate, Distributors, Technology, Wholesale, and Retail.

Typical account sizes range from $75,000 up to $2,000,000 and over in premium on a multi-line basis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Underwriting Expertise

• Reviews applications and financial requirements to determine acceptability of risk in accordance with CNA’s guidelines and standards
• Understands pricing components and rating methodology as well as use of the predictive modeling tools; prices risk based on financial and competitive analysis
• Uses all appropriate underwriting tools (e.g., RST, BPMT, Merlin, etc.), disciplines and knowledge of strategies to ensure underwriting guidelines are followed
• Demonstrates technical underwriting skills through strategic, thorough account reviews and file documentation
• Prepares or analyzes information on adverse underwriting decisions, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status and declinations in order to drive results within the assigned territory
• Adheres to CAT guidelines and underwriting discipline to minimize exposure and appropriately price
• Keeps current on state / territory issues, regulations and trends

2. Portfolio Management

• Manages assigned portfolio to achieve gross written premium, profitability, rate, retention, product mix, new business and portfolio management goals
• Prioritizes time and resources to effectively manage and optimize producer performance
• Operates with an Enterprise perspective to identify cross sell opportunities and create growth within other lines of business and customer segments
• Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of CNA’s products and appetite while clearly communicating CNA’s position at the point of sale

3. Sales & Distribution Management

• Builds / maintains rigorous sales practices using all CNA systems including SalesForce.com and other sales tools and disciplines
• Develops producer relationships to build pipeline, agency intelligence, and drives performance to meet and exceed results
• Develops and implements distributor specific plans, monitors performance, and adjusts plan to ensure a substantial pipeline for future profitable growth
• Drives effective relationship management and customer activities to build trust, facilitate negotiation and secure commitment with the customer
• Proactively identifies cross-sell opportunities and partners with other underwriters to deliver comprehensive insurance solutions for the customer

Driven by our commitment to our customers, CNA’s winning behaviors (externally focused, accountable, collaborative, innovative, and continuously learning) distinguish us from our competitors.

CNA employees exemplify these behaviors in all responsibilities and interactions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of underwriting processes, coverages, and tools to gather and evaluate information in order to reach appropriate decisions on renewals and new business
• Ability to effectively interact and communicate with all levels of external and / or internal business partners within scope of responsibility, team and / or matrix environment
• Ability to uncover customer needs, position specific solutions, handle objections and close deals
• Ability to exercise judgment, negotiate and make sound business decisions effectively based on level of authority
• Strong ability to identify, analyze and solve problems as well as the ability to learn rapidly, adapt quickly to change, exercise influence, and manage and prioritize multiple concurrent projects

As determined by CNA and depending on the applicant’s experience and / or qualifications, candidates may be hired into one of three Underwriter positions : Underwriting Specialist, Underwriting Consultant or Underwriting Consulting Director.

Typically starting at 3+ years of related experience.