Western National Insurance

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Job Type

Full-time

Description

Who are we?

Western National Insurance Group is a private mutual insurance company with over 120 years of experience serving customers' property-and-casualty insurance needs in the Midwestern, Northwestern, and Southwestern United States. Known as “The Relationship Company®,” we define success as a measure of the relationships we’ve built over time. In everything that we do, we know that delivering a friendly and helpful interaction makes for a better experience for everyone involved. That’s the power of “nice”. At Western National, nice is something we work to bring to every person and organization with whom we partner and serve.

Does this opportunity interest you?

Western National is seeking a Personal Lines Portfolio Underwriter to join our team!

The individual in this role will have the opportunity to evaluate and analyze characteristics, quality, and performance of the personal lines book at an agency level and develop, recommend, and execute book management tactics in support of organizational strategy and objectives. The Portfolio Underwriter works closely with agents and field employees to build and maintain strong agency relationships in the interest of achieving company objectives. The Portfolio Underwriter works with multiple internal teams to help the personal lines team in recommending and implementing updates to processes, guidelines, business rules, and system enhancements.

What are the responsibilities and opportunities of this role?

• Utilizes understanding of risk, exposures, competitor action, and industry trends to identify and maximize opportunities to meet loss ratio and growth objectives.
• Monitors personal lines results at various levels and seeks correction when performance falls short of objectives; develops, recommends, and executes book management tactics.
• Evaluates agency-level book performance and develops plans for improvement as needed for agencies within assigned territory.
• Works with the sales team to execute production and profit improvement plans with agencies.
• Builds strong agency partnerships to increase the number of high-performing personal lines agencies.
• Builds and maintains strong agency relationships.
• Helps the organization achieve growth and profitability objectives.
• Actively seeks opportunities to promote the company’s products and services.
• Assists in the maintenance and enhancements of systems, processes, guidelines, and resources.
• Mentors other underwriting team members and acts as a positive role model as an expert underwriter.
• Networks within the insurance community to understand the marketplace and emerging industry issues.
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Frequently makes decisions independently.
• Executes policies and procedures within assigned authority level (mid-level).
• Exercises high-level underwriting authority appropriate to experience and aligned with territory-specific requirements.
• Applies knowledge and creativity to help solve problems of multifaceted scope and complexity.
• Uses analytical skills to identify and assess patterns from partial and / or conflicting data, finding solutions.
• Researches topics / issues and recommends solutions.
• Develops plans that support company strategy, gains consensus of managers and business partners, and modifies plans as needed based on results.
• Analyzes Personal Lines book and agency portfolio trends.
• Consistently acts according to our customer experience standards, including responding quickly, maintaining a positive attitude, building rapport, demonstrating empathy, managing the customer’s expectations, using the proper communication channel for the situation, and taking ownership to ensure the customer’s issue is resolved.
• Contacts other departments and / or external organizations or parties frequently.
• Works with many different departments and teams to help the personal lines team achieve its goals.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively through persuasive messaging and negotiation, delivering diverse types of information tailored to different audiences.
• Serves as an informal leader and resource.

Requirements

What are the must-have qualifications for a candidate?

• Expert level underwriting, marketplace, and carrier knowledge.
• In-depth understanding of the personal lines products, coverage, and policy life cycle.
• Able to multitask and solve complex problems.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with co-workers, agents, and other departments.
• Able to work effectively alone or as a member of a team.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility to change priorities and daily activities to meet the business needs of the team.
• Ability to effectively and independently manage a complex workload while exhibiting sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent insurance-related experience.
• CPCU certification.
• Intermediate / advanced Word / Excel skills.
• Proficient use of various core systems, office and computer equipment, and software packages.

Compensation overview

The full hiring range for this role is $81,400 - $111,980, annually. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on the job-related knowledge, skills, credentials, and experience of each candidate as well as other factors such as the scope and location of the role. Candidates looking for compensation outside of the posted range are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on their individual qualifications and / or may be considered for other positions.

Western National Insurance Group reserves the right to fill this position at a level above or below the level included in this posting.

Culture and Total Rewards

Western National has long been known as “The Relationship Company®”, and caring for our employees is part of that relationship commitment. We value connectiveness, empowerment, and accountability, and we believe that our employees are our biggest asset.

Currently ranked as the 41st largest private company by revenue in Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal), Western National has earned accolades year-over-year as an employer of choice and garnered multiple awards for wellness in the workplace. Western National has also been named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune for the past four consecutive years. In addition, the Group is consistently recognized as a Ward’s 50 property-and-casualty insurance company for its outstanding financial results.

Western National offers full-time employees a significant Total Rewards Package, including:

• Medical insurance plan options and other standard employee benefits, including dental insurance, vision benefits, life insurance, disability insurance, and more!
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) Plan (participants are eligible for 100% matching on the first 6% of their contributions)
• Wellbeing Program, including onsite fitness studio
• Paid Time Off – including holiday, vacation, and volunteer
• 100% company-paid tuition reimbursement for approved job-relevant coursework and access to The Institutes (Risk and insurance education)
• Paid parental leave
• Bonus opportunities

Western National believes in supporting balance between work and life by providing a flexible work environment, which includes a variety of hybrid and remote work arrangements designed to balance individual, job, department, and company needs.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Western National provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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Salary Description

$81,400 - $111,980