E&S - Specialty Underwriting Manager

Our Specialty, Excess & Surplus team is seeking a strategic, sales-minded, and dynamic Underwriting Manager to join our established and high-performing team. This role will ideally be based in either Phoenix, AZ, Wisconsin or Oregon with a hybrid or remote schedule depending on proximity to a Hanover office location. The ideal candidate must have the ability to travel for meetings and client visits as needed. Other locations will be considered, but candidates must have the ability to travel to a Hanover office as needed. The Hanover is a diverse and inclusive organization focused on hiring the best talent and we encourage all qualified professionals to apply.  We believe that an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace make us a better organization and creates a stronger community. At the Hanover we also understand that life and the workplace have changed so we are reimagining the workplace and provide flexible work arrangements.      Position summary:   This role resides within the P&C or Professional lines areas of the Specialty division. Manages and coaches team of Underwriters within defined territory, with support and guidance from regional management. Provides coaching and oversight in day-to-day underwriting functions. Collaborates with Operations partners on underwriting technicians and underwriting assistants. Generally manages assigned book of business, primarily with key agents and or increased level of complexity. Responsible for assessing the present and future resource needs for employees and provide the leadership, mentoring and guidance necessary to build and sustain a high performing workforce.   This is a Full-time, Exempt role. Responsibilities/Essential Functions:   Coaching and mentoring the territory UW team, providing business direction, driving UW actions towards our business objectives, training and development of employees. Underwriting management, development and execution of specific territorial business plan strategies, including territorial business cultivation and agency management. Manage agency related functions for personal book of business. Involvement in key new business and renewals. Stays current with and ensures team adheres to underwriting best practices and guidelines. Oversee the operational and technical work of the team and where applicable  implement claim handling best practices to coordinate consistent handling of our company’s largest exposure claims (Pro Lines)   Leadership & Coaching: Managing underwriters, coaching and mentoring, providing business direction, driving UW actions towards our business objectives, training and development of employees. In partnership with the Director or AVP provides ongoing team leadership including: performance coaching, development, and engagement, talent hiring, selection and progressive performance management if needed. Conducts formal/informal training sessions on coverage enhancements or emerging issues in order to help elevate the level of underwriting expertise in the team. Drives underwriting quality through the self-review process. Collaborates with Operations to execute best practices, including optimizing productivity and managing service and quality with agents. Identifies and develops talent pipeline. Demonstrates a willingness to consistently enhance team performance.   Technical Underwriting: Knows and applies advanced underwriting concepts including risk selection, exposure and hazard identification and control, coverage implications, and loss analysis. Understands pricing components and rating methodology and correlates pricing to exposure, financial and competitive analysis. Adheres to UW / CAT guidelines and underwriting discipline to minimize exposure and appropriately price. Effectively identifies root cause and brings forth solutions to problems. Participates in referrals and consultations from UAs and UWs within assigned territory    Portfolio & Sales Management: Reviews key metrics and uncovers trends that may lead to new business opportunities with agents while achieving profitable growth in accordance with business strategies. Prepares or analyzes information on adverse underwriting decisions, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status and declinations in order to drive results within the assigned territory. Understands the relationship between changes in business strategies and financial results (e.g. loss ratio’s, premium, retention, and non-rate and book mix strategies). Keeps current on state/territory issues, regulations and trends. Supports execution of profit improvement initiatives with key agents.   Position Requirements:   Bachelor’s degree required, professional designations preferred P&C - minimum of 7 years of experience with Specialty accounts and driving agency relationships resulting in profitable new and renewal business. Pro Lines - Juris Doctor preferred; 7 years combined experience in claims management and complex commercial litigation Acts as a change advocate, and is open to new and different ways of thinking. Ability to effectively coach and develop others Effective problem solver, who anticipates issues, seeks out and analyzes information collaboratively to propose solutions. Takes ownership for a successful resolution Excellent communication skills are essential; effective face-to-face interactions and presentations to groups, as well as strong phone skills, along with sound written communications, including impeccable follow through Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate and influence across multiple levels of the organization within senior and field management and underwriters. High degree of business, insurance and marketplace knowledge Analytical Thinking Influencing Others Results Orientation Agile and Adaptive  Talent Management   Physical Demands and Work Environment:   Ability to use a personal computer and other standard office equipment Ability to work in a fast paced or stressful environment Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods Ability to travel (by car or plane) as needed Ability to operate a motor vehicle