Vice President of Underwriting | Commercial Line Middle Market Team

IAT Insurance Group is currently seeking a Vice President of Underwriting for the Middle Market Excess Casualty team. This position involves supervising a regional team of underwriters in the Excess Casualty Middle Market underwriting division.

The VP will assist in establishing underwriting policies and standards, work with senior management to develop and implement underwriting strategy, set targets, and establish markets.

The ideal candidate will have experience providing leadership and direction in the risk selection process (underwriting, pricing, retention), while ensuring regulatory and legal compliance.

Can speak to setting vision and direction through resource allocation, multiple functions, and departments for geographic marketplaces.

Experience participating in the development of business plans, products, and IT support as needed. These functions are part of the responsibilities of this role.

As a member of the E&S Team, this role works a hybrid schedule from one of IAT's offices within the Eastern or Central time zones.

The hybrid schedule reflects our values (thinking and acting like an owner, collaboration, and teamwork) as it requires working from the office with colleagues and other disciplines Monday through Wednesday, with the option of working remotely on Thursday and Friday.

Potential IAT Office locations include but are not limited to Newark, NJ; Jersey City, NJ; Norristown, PA; Alpharetta, GA; and Chicago, IL.

Responsibilities :

• Through collaboration with the EVP of the Excess Middle Market (MM), establish the underwriting direction, underwriting appetite, and underwriting authority for the Excess MM businesses to support profitability targets.
• Ensures compliance to underwriting direction, underwriting appetite, and underwriting authority through individual account discussions and underwriting audits.
• Collaborates with Excess MM leadership on the development of business plans, products, and IT support.
• Collaborates with Excess MM leadership to identify training needs and development of a plan to address needs. Coaches, mentors and directs training and development of the underwriting team to ensure underwriting quality and proficiency.
• Supports the development of staff through coaching, leading organizational change, cultivating relationships, putting staff in a position to succeed, and creating a climate where staff are motivated to do their best.
• Partner with support functions such as Product, Actuarial, Claims, Regulatory, Loss Control, and IT to ensure products are compliant, competitive, and profitable.
• Collaborate on the development of pricing models appropriate for various types of commercial lines.
• Coach, mentor, and direct training and development of individual underwriting teams to ensure underwriting and service quality and proficiency.
• Ensure regulatory and legal compliance.
• Identify and capitalize on expense reduction opportunities, through process and technology enhancements.
• Travel as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications : Must-Have :

Must-Have :

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of relevant or equivalent experience.
• Equivalent experience to a college degree and 12 years is defined as 16 years of relevant underwriting experience.
• Strong Underwriting management experience.
• Expansive knowledge of the breadth of coverages and lines of business housed within the company.
• Knowledge of company underwriting guidelines as well as industry standards and practices.
• High level of risk assessment skills.
• Broad knowledge of financial reporting styles and formats.
• Extensive knowledge of policy development, problem-solving, planning, and market savvy.
• Extensive knowledge of the insurance industry, regulations and compliance requirements, coverages, and policy language.

Advanced knowledge of underwriting decisions.

• Ability to lead and manage a team to produce consistent decisions based on effective risk assessment skills. Knowledge of and ability to apply loss development and advanced loss analysis concepts to achieve optimal pricing of risk.
• Ability to creatively utilize coverage features, deductibles, or reinsurance on individual risks to achieve company objectives.
• Strong math aptitude, excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and negotiating skills.
• Must be able to apply sound judgment when making underwriting and leadership decisions.
• Fosters collaborative environment.
• To qualify, all applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require, now or in the future, VISA sponsorship for employment purposes.

Preferred :

• Masters degree.
• Has a current book of business.
• A strategic thinker, a self-starter with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Our Culture IAT is the largest private, family-owned property and casualty insurer in the I nsurance A nswers T ogether is how we define IAT, in letter and spirit.

We work together to provide solutions for people and businesses. We collaborate internally and with our partners to provide our customers with the best possible insurance and surety options.

At IAT, we’re committed to driving and building an open and supportive culture for all. Our employees propel IAT forward driving innovation, stable partnerships, and growth.

That’s why we continue to build an engaging workplace culture to attract and retain the best talent.

We offer comprehensive benefits like :

• 26 PTO Days (Entry Level) + 12 Company Holidays 38 Paid Days Off
• 7% 401(k) Company Match and additional Profit Sharing
• Hybrid work environment
• Numerous training and development opportunities to assist you in furthering your career
• Healthcare and Wellness Programs
• Opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses
• College Loan Assistance Support Plan
• Educational Assistance Program
• Mentorship Program
• Dress for Your Day Policy

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and participate in E-Verify.

IAT Recruiter : Steve Morley Senior Recruiter