Commercial Lines Underwriting Leader

Who are we?

Umialik Insurance Company, a member of the Western National Insurance Group, is looking to add an experienced Commercial Lines Underwriting Leader to our Anchorage team. Western National Insurance Group is a private mutual insurance company with over 120 years of experience serving policyholders' property-and-casualty insurance needs in the Midwestern, Northwestern, and Southwestern United States. Known as “The Relationship Company®,” we have always defined 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?

This position is responsible for developing, recommending, and leading the direction of property-and-casualty underwriting activities. We are looking for an experienced leader who can manage the commercial underwriting function through profitable growth and staff development.

In this role a leader:

• Selects, coaches, develops, and retains staff to achieve company, departmental and individual goals.
• Develops a commercial lines portfolio underwriting process to ensure profitable premium growth.
• Develops and implements commercial lines underwriting strategies to achieve a balanced and profitable book of business.
• Partners with Product Managers to help identify, assess, and recommend solutions and enhancements for commercial lines products; monitors commercial product performance and pricing.
• Participates in the development of agency review processes, including seizing market opportunities.
• Participates in initiatives to develop and improve processes and policies.
• Networks within the insurance community to stay abreast of marketplace changes and emerging industry issues.
• Sets and executes regional plan for retention, rate, exposure management, and new business commensurate with overall group business plan.
• Motivates staff to drive profitable premium growth to the Company.

What is a must have?

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of property-and-casualty industry best practices, standard and commercial lines underwriting concepts.
• Able to multitask and solve complex problems.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, direct, and develop individuals.
• Prior experience managing teams of insurance professionals.
• Proven ability to use business analytics for strategic planning, development and decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong business relationships.
• Strong negotiations skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency for sound judgment and technical underwriting acumen.
• Proven ability to take initiative and follow through to appropriate conclusion.
• Proven ability to deliver appropriate, constructive feedback when warranted.
• Proven ability to build resilience and engagement with teams and individuals.
• Must be able to work onsite in our Anchorage office.

What will our ideal candidate have?

• Bachelor’s degree in Insurance or Finance or equivalent related experience.
• CPCU, CIC or CRM certification.

Compensation overview

The hiring range for this role is: $125,000-187,000 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 outside of the range listed above are encouraged to apply and will be considered based upon their individual qualifications and/or may be considered for other positions. This person is expected to be on-site.

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 assets. Nearly half of our employees choose to stay at Western National for ten years or more!

Currently ranked as the 37th 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 was also named a Star Tribune Top Workplace in 2021 and 2022. 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 Flex Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) Plan (plus company match)
• Wellbeing Program, including onsite fitness studio
• Time Off – including vacation, volunteer, and holiday pay
• 100% company-paid tuition reimbursement for approved job-relevant coursework and access to The Institutes (Risk & Insurance Education)
• Discounts on personal auto and homeowners insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Bonus opportunities

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

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.