Assistant Manager, Underwriting

Come grow with James River Insurance! 

James River Insurance is an excess and surplus lines segment of James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and operates on an approved non-admitted basis in 50 states and Washington, DC. Since 2003, James River has provided thousands of commercial property and casualty customers with innovative and creative solutions for particular insurance needs. 

At James River Insurance, we are committed to providing a stable and rewarding work environment supported by our Core Values and Guiding Principles: Integrity, Accountability, Innovation, Customer Service, Communication, and Teamwork.  We are proud of our recent national recognition as a 2022 and 2021 Top Workplaces USA awards. 

James River Group Holdings, Ltd. is a Bermuda-based insurance holding company which owns and operates a group of specialty insurance and reinsurance companies. The Company operates in three specialty property-casualty insurance and reinsurance segments: Excess and Surplus Lines, Specialty Admitted Insurance and Casualty Reinsurance. The Company tends to focus on accounts associated with small or medium-sized businesses in each of its segments. Each of the Company's regulated insurance subsidiaries are rated "A-" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

Job Summary

Successfully lead and direct assigned underwriting team members to accomplish individual and team objectives within the frame work of the division goals, initiatives and objectives for profitability, production, service, quality and compliance.

Duties and Responsibilities

•    Continuously exhibit and uphold Core Values of Integrity, Accountability, Communication and Teamwork, Innovation and Customer Service

•    In coordination with management, provide input and execute annual business plans for the team and individual underwriters to produce profitable business and provide brokers with optimal service.

•    Responsible for the management of assigned underwriting staff to include: monitoring progress to performance goals to include performance deficiencies, training and mentoring, completing annual performance evaluations, approving PTO requests, and other staff issues as they arise.

•    Assist in the hiring process of new staff. 

•    Assist in the establishment of Underwriting Authority for team underwriters. 

•    Coordinate with Underwriting Manager the marketing travel schedules for team in order to ensure adequate in-office resources.

•    Keep abreast of pertinent changes at underwriting team level (legal climate, market conditions, new business opportunities etc) and make suggestions to management on appropriate course(s) of action.

•    Maintain equitable and productive brokerage assignments within team in conjunction with the Underwriting Manager. 

•    Identify issues and obstacles that impact ability to attain team/division goals and work in conjunction with Underwriting Manager to rectify.

•    Monitor rate level to ensure team and individual compliance with division pricing objectives.

•    Provide input to management on Underwriting and Pricing Guides where appropriate.

•    Act as first point of referral on all accounts that fall outside of individual underwriter authority. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills

•    Ability to organize and prioritize work in a fast paced environment

•    Demonstrated ability to effectively assess risks, price, and negotiate business in accordance with division guidelines

•    Demonstrated time management skills

•    Proven problem solving and decision making skills with the ability to lead, motivate and influence  others

•    Strong interpersonal skills

•    High degree of personal initiative and self motivation

•    Ability to mentor, guide, and develop others 

•    Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

•    Ability to collaborate with Actuarial, Claims, IT, Compliance and other divisions as needed.

Experience and Education

•    6 years  industry experience, preferably in Surplus Lines

•    Specific experience in marketing and underwriting of the division related products

•    Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience

•    Professional designation is preferred

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