Director of Underwriting

Description

The Director of Underwriting oversees underwriting and claims functions across all lines of business, serving as the organization’s expert in risk evaluation, regulatory compliance, and policy development. This role is responsible for setting and maintaining underwriting standards, reviewing applications across multiple coverages—including Professional Liability, Allied Health, Directors & Officers, and Business Office Package—and ensuring decisions align with program guidelines. A strategic partner in both risk management and reinsurance, the Director evaluates programs against market conditions, advises leadership on policy updates, and guides negotiations with carrier partners. The role includes assessing quota share and reinsurance structures, addressing gaps surfaced through policyholder feedback, and driving continuous improvement in underwriting and claims practices to align with regulatory and market shifts.

Supervision

• Provide daily oversight, supervision, and clear communication to the underwriting staff, ensuring effective performance management.
• Conduct performance evaluations for all underwriting team members in alignment with organizational standards and individual performance metrics.
• Mentor and develop underwriters, promoting high performance, continuous learning, and technical excellence.
• Audit work products across all relevant roles, including Insurance Services Representatives (ISRs) and Underwriting Technicians (UW Techs), ensuring quality assurance and compliance with underwriting protocols.
• Utilize audit outcomes to conduct coaching and training sessions; provide targeted feedback to improve staff performance and underwriting accuracy.
• Design, deliver, and/or coordinate training programs for both new and existing Operations staff, including development of training materials and facilitation of follow-up assessments to ensure topic mastery.

Process and Compliance

• Maintain compliance with underwriting guidelines and standards by ensuring the technical development of underwriting staff and providing regular training updates.
• Improve underwriting efficiencies through process enhancements and cross-training initiatives to optimize resource utilization and workflow.
• Underwrite and review insurance applications for both new and renewal business across all lines of coverage, including but not limited to Professional Liability, Allied Health, Cyber, Directors & Officers (D&O), and Business Office Package (BOP).
• Hold primary responsibility for underwriting decisions and supervision related to Professional Liability, Allied Health, Cyber, D&O, BOP, and other lines of business.
• Monitor compliance with carrier guidelines, including those of key underwriting partners. Distribute all relevant carrier communications to operational teams, ensuring timely awareness of updates related to turnaround times, binding, renewal, and declination procedures, as well as regulatory changes impacting underwriting practices.
• Ensure underwriting guidelines and procedures are current and in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Collaborate with the AVP of Operations and carrier underwriters to evaluate and determine appropriate placement of risk for applications falling outside standard authority or requiring special consideration.
• This role may fulfill the company’s Designated Producer needs upon request.

Process Optimization

• Collaborate with Sales and AVP of Insurance Strategy and Operations, product, and technology teams to enhance underwriting workflows and leverage automation for efficiency.

Product Review and Development

• Regularly review insurance products and pricing relative to competitors to ensure market competitiveness and collaborate with carrier partners to revise and update policy terms, coverages, and rates as needed.

Market Expansion

• Drive growth in the admitted business by developing strong relationships with brokers, agents, and distribution partners.

Risk Management

• Leverage proprietary systems, loss control reports, and other data sources to evaluate risk and determine insurability.
• Provide expert guidance and recommendations on complex or high-risk underwriting cases, using professional judgment and industry experience.

Strategic Guidance

• Analyze and provide strategic feedback on the company’s quota share agreement with the carrier, leveraging actuarial data, reinsurance market trends, and risk analysis to support executive decision-making and strengthen negotiation outcomes.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders, including program managers, legal, and claims departments, as well as with external carrier underwriters, to coordinate underwriting strategies and risk placement.
• Contribute strategic insight and recommendations for the development and evaluation of existing and potentially new lines of business.
• Monitor and analyze underwriting data and trends to assess risk exposures, guide pricing strategies, and support informed decision-making.

Requirements

Academic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Business, Insurance, Risk Management, or a related field required.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Active Maryland Property & Casualty license is required

At least one of the following underwriting certifications is required:

• RPLU (Registered Professional Liability Underwriter) or
• CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) or
• CRM (Certified Risk Manager) or
• CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor)

At least one of the following designations is preferred:

• ARM (Associate in Risk Management)
• ARe (Associate in Reinsurance)

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in Professional Liability underwriting, with a strong understanding of related lines including Allied Health, Cyber, Directors & Officers, and Business Office Package policies.
• Expertise in risk management and reinsurance to analyze underwriting risks, ensure compliance with carrier and regulatory requirements, and contribute to reinsurance strategy through data-driven insights, operational support, and cross-functional coordination.
• Extensive knowledge of underwriting principles, techniques, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
• In-depth understanding of claims-made coverage, including its applications, triggers, and limitations.
• Proven ability to make sound underwriting decisions and manage complex risk scenarios with a high degree of autonomy.
• Demonstrated leadership in technical training, mentoring, and development of underwriting staff.
• Strong analytical, evaluative, and critical thinking skills; capable of exercising sound judgment in high-stakes or ambiguous situations.
• Highly organized and adaptable, with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfortable navigating databases and web-based applications.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

• Effective interpersonal and negotiation skills, with a collaborative approach to problem-solving and relationship management.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain seated for the majority of the workday.
• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry items up to fifteen (15) pounds.
• Minimal travel, less than 5% required
• When traveling, you may be required to stand for more than 4 hours continuously.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To Apply:

Please send materials to: Director of Human Resources, American Insurance Trust at [email protected]