Marine - Executive Underwriter

Our Marine team is seeking a sales-minded, collaborative, and dynamic Executive Underwriter to join our high performing team in the West, specific territories include Twin Cities, Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Boise, Phoenix, or similar locations. 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 operates as the most experienced underwriter position and depending upon the business function may focus on production goals or supporting territories in driving underwriting excellence. Typically holds highest level of underwriting authority and works closely with leadership to drive underwriting and portfolio quality, sales and operations excellence, talent development, strategy development and execution. Provides technical insight and guidance to local team and leaders on accounts and execution of the strategy within the territory. This role may also lead a specific class of business. Responsibilities/Essential Functions:   Underwrite new business, renewal business, and endorsement referrals. Achieve financial targets for overall growth and profitability. Drives execution of plans to achieve results. Collaborates with and provides oversight to the junior underwriting staff on portfolio management and strategic underwriting decisions to ensure production, financial and underwriting objectives with respect to profitability are achieved. Assures compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements and ensures the integrity of underwriting discipline by identifying underwriting issues. Develop new business opportunities with new and existing agents. Build strong partnerships and promote the Hanover franchise. Provides input and may assist in broader strategy formulation with primary focus on execution of strategies.   Business Development: Identify and drive enhanced business opportunities and create growth within other lines of business and customer segments. Utilize our value proposition to enhance agency economics, partner conversion and product specialization in partnership with local management. Prioritizes and drives effective relationship management and producer activities to build trust, facilitate negotiation, and secure commitment in order to improve yield and retention ratios. Engage at the customer level for the most complex and prominent accounts within their territory. Independently implements territory business plans, monitors performance, adjusts plan to ensure a substantial pipeline for future profitable growth. Actively engages with distribution and field leadership to develop business opportunities. Regularly liaise with BDM function. Coaches field underwriters on top selling techniques specific to the industry space. Collect market intelligence (price, product, services); advocate for change as needed. Assist in the development of new product capabilities, emerging market opportunities, and identifying growth opportunities.   Portfolio Management: Manages portfolio for assigned territory with guidance from Leader. Provides input to and feedback on Portfolio, Distribution and Infrastructure strategy. Analyzes industry financial performance and proactively manages the performance of portfolio, recommending corrective action as needed. Gathers critical local intelligence that will aid in the development product, service, and appetite improvements. Proactively responds to regulatory and legal environment. Maintains keen understanding of industry competitors, Identifies trends and emerging issues. Closely monitors underwriting results for assigned regions and recommends actions to improve profitability.   Underwriting Development and Support: 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. Assist managers and underwriters with the most challenging technical underwriting situations. Provide additional support to managers in the areas of portfolio management, underwriting quality, reinsurance referrals and business planning. Periodically involved in complex underwriting referrals that fall outside of other UW team members. Assist in development and delivery of training. Develops and maintains relationships with Operations, Loss Control, and Claims to operationalize underwriting decisions.   Required Skills, Key Competencies, and Experience:   Bachelor’s degree required; professional designations preferred.  10 years’ proven LOB underwriting experience, with broad underwriting experience across numerous classes of business. Strong proficiency with specific knowledge requirements in the areas of underwriting, book management, marketing, and product development Ability to effectively coach Underwriters and balance multiple priorities in a dynamic and very fast-paced environment 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 Judgement and Decision Making Agile and Adaptive Teamwork and collaboration Project Management Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Ability to travel (by car or plane) est.30% or greater. Ability to operate a motor vehicle.