Underwriting Manager, Workers' Compensation

Are you looking to make an impactful difference in your work, yourself, and your community? Why settle for just a job when you can land a career? At ICW Group, we are hiring team members who are ready to use their skills, curiosity, and drive to be part of our  journey as we strive to transform the insurance  carrier space. We're proud to be in business for over 50 years, and its change agents like yourself that will help us continue to deliver our mission to create the best insurance experience possible.

Headquartered in San Diego with regional offices located throughout the United States, ICW Group has been named for ten consecutive years as a Top 50 performing P&C organization offering the stability of a large, profitable and growing company combined with a focus on all things people. It's our team members who make us an employer of choice and the vibrant company we are today. We strive to make both our  internal and external communities better everyday! Learn more about why you want to be here!

PURPOSE OF THE JOB 

The purpose of this job is to lead and oversee the Workers’ Compensation Underwriting Branch operations, coordination, and evaluation. This position will ensure that practices comport with relevant compliance regulations and with company fiscal policy so that underwriting activities are completed expeditiously, efficiently and cost effectively. This position exists to ensure that the branch and company objectives are met.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plans for and monitors the profitability of branch to achieve and exceed Line of Business goals.

• Oversees the underwriting of all workers' compensation accounts in branch according to guidelines established by Home Office.

• Accepts or rejects simple to moderately complex risks, evaluating all-risks’ characteristics (operations, financials, management, employees, prior experience, etc.) as compared to the average in its class and price for profit within Company underwriting guidelines.

• Oversees and regulates the flow of business within department while monitoring underwriting quality, desk management and communication skills of your staff.

• Appoints and terminates agents per approved plan and monitors their performance to include hit ratio, production, and profitability.

• Prepares data and reports as necessary to communicate information to all constituencies including Home Office. 

Manages the operations of the WCU branch.

• Manages administrative and auxiliary HR tasks in accordance with Company policies and practices.

• Collaborates with other branch-based department leaders and personnel to ensure the branch operates in a unified and productive manner.

• Creates a sales culture in the branch to consistently deliver on brand and product value proposition.

• Manages staff to attract, develop, retain, and motivate team members who deliver results.

• Achieves a positive work climate, aligned with corporate programs that meet or exceed LOB goals.

• Maintains a work environment that is productive, safe, and compliant with all Company policies and legal requirements. 

Keeps abreast of industry developments, legal requirements, and other external impacts to business operations.

• Keeps alert to WCIRB/NCCI rulings, forms, and coverage changes.

• Keeps alert to industry changes (competition, rating plans, credit, and pricing trends, etc.).

• Continues to educate self on aspects of the business, leadership, sales, or other topics and provides education to team members for their development.

• Serves as a member of the WCU Leadership Team.

• Provides input and expertise to Line of Business initiatives; leads initiatives as required. Collaborates with colleagues on Line of Business initiatives.

• Completes all company related assignments as directed by H.O. Underwriting Officer.

Develops and leads a team of Branch WCU professionals.

• Provides strategic and tactical direction to the Branch Underwriting team.  Communicates Mission, Values, and other organization operating principles to direct and indirect reports.

• Establishes and maintains the overall work cadence and, in partnership with LOB Leadership, ensures performance and outcomes strive for excellence in delivery and customer experience.  Ensures that the entire assigned team is engaged and that leadership practices for the department encourage development, recognition, and retention.

• Establishes and holds team accountable to and adheres to hiring criteria, on-boarding, and training requirements for incoming staff.

• Oversees the performance management and development process for team members and performs performance management duties, development planning and coaching for direct reports.

• Acts as a resource for team members to answer questions and solve complex problems.

• Manages technology and other resources, workload, and customer request for operational resources.  Ensures leaders effectively discharge all Company policies and procedures and compliance responsibilities.

• Ensures data quality, adherence to LOB guidelines, profitability and other risk-related metrics for self and members of the team. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Directly supervises employees within the Workers’ Compensation underwriting branch and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws. These responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; conducting performance and salary reviews; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; coaching, mentoring, and developing team members to further their skills and knowledge; creating and monitoring development plans; setting performance expectations/goals; forecasting staffing needs and planning for peak times and absences; enforcing department policies and procedures.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university required with a major or emphasis in Business, Accounting, Economics, Management, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Minimum 5 – 7 years of related experience in Workers’ Compensation Underwriting operations required. Minimum 1 – 2 years of supervisory experience and/or training required.  

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

None required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Working knowledge of Workers’ Compensation underwriting operations. 

• Familiarity with sales or training preferred.

• Extensive experience providing superior customer service, presenting product related information, and demonstrated ability to influence customers.

• Strong experience working with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. 

• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. 

• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS  

• Office environment – no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands and employees are regularly required to sit, walk, stand, talk, and hear.  Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. 

• Role requires 50%-75% travel to meet with clients, attend industry events, and develop new business opportunities.

• Travel is usually limited to automobile but occasional air travel is required.

• Requires regular visits to outside locations such as producer's offices.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision with visual acuity and capability of operating and viewing computers and other electronic devices for extended periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

• This position operates in an office environment and requires the frequent use of a computer, telephone, copier, and other standard office equipment.

We are currently not offering employment sponsorship for this opportunity.

#LI-JF1 #LI-Hybrid

The current range for this position is

This range is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses.  If hired at ICW Group, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors unique to each candidate, including experience, education and the location of the role and considers employees performing substantially similar work.

WHY JOIN ICW GROUP?
•    Challenging work and the ability to make a difference
•    You will have a voice and feel a sense of belonging
•    We offer a competitive benefits package, with generous medical, dental, and vision plans as well as 401K retirement plans and company match
•    Bonus potential for all positions
•    Paid Time Off with an accrual rate of 5.23 hours per pay period (equal to 17 days per year)
•    11 paid holidays throughout the calendar year
•    Want to continue learning? We’ll support you 100%

ICW Group is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. ICW Group will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

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