Underwriting AVP, Franchise Programs

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development and long-term vision for all franchise verticals excluding restaurants, ensuring alignment with Intrepid Direct’s growth, profitability, and modern customer experience objectives.
• Partner with the President and other leaders on identifying, exploring, experimenting, and launching new franchise and brands.
• Lead a team of underwriters; assign workloads, measure KPIs, train, recruit, and offer professional development to the team.
• Select the needed product and rates while balancing the needs of customers, identified claims trends, and industry losses.
• Serve as the primary underwriting subject-matter expert, continuously developing expertise in franchise operations, risk management, and market trends.
• Partner with the other Underwriting leaders to finalize underwriting guidelines, product structures, and required filings for your franchise programs.
• Establish best practices, training frameworks, and quality standards for the program, responsible for training and mentoring underwriting and Service and Sales teams on standards.
• Create and approve letter of authority levels of direct reports and set KPIs for best practices.
• Leverage data and analytical insights to guide underwriting strategy, pricing decisions, and portfolio management.
• Identify third-party data sources and technology tools that enhance risk assessment, operational efficiency, and vertical competitiveness.
• Lead projects from concept through execution, ensuring timely delivery and measurable outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement in all processes, including submission intake, underwriting workflow, communications, and claims engagement.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of Salesforce CRM, ensuring documentation accuracy and adherence to enterprise processes.
• Meet deadlines, manage multiple concurrent initiatives, and operate effectively in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Insurance designations preferred
• +15 years of commercial P&C insurance experience
• +15 years of underwriting experience
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and multi-tasking
• Program experience, multi-line, and variety of industries expertise a plus
• +5 years of management experience
• Track record of success
• Entrepreneurial by nature, and has passion to build a meaningful underwriting company
• Embrace innovation and continuous improvement
• Excellent communication skills, ability to effectively present to small or large groups
• Team player, positive by nature!