VP, C&F Stop Loss

About the role

The Vice President of Underwriting is responsible for making underwriting recommendations and decisions to achieve profitable growth for the Crum & Forster Stop Loss (CFSL) team. They manage the daily underwriting of the assigned Underwriters, lead and motivate the underwriting team(s), and ensure the team operates under guidelines.

Line of Business and Team

This position is part of Crum & Forster’s Accident & Health division (A&H), which places a strong focus on product development and creative distribution methods, along with excellent client service and support. The A&H MBU designs and services a robust slate of products tailored to needs in Employer Stop Loss, Excess Medical, Life, and Ancillary and Supplemental benefits.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate portfolio performance based on profitability, retention and growth metrics; define and implement strategic changes, and oversee execution of continuously improving portfolio in alignment with team objectives
• Manage the daily underwriting of the assigned Underwriters; includes but not limited to reviewing referrals, signing off on underwriter discretion, acting as a resource for underwriting questions, managing workflow, monitoring close/loss ratios for underwriters and matching underwriters with producer relationships
• Lead and motivate underwriting team(s) to drive consistent underwriting with profitable results and sustained growth within assigned region(s)
• Demonstrate understanding and proper use of underwriting tools as well as coordinate with actuarial in development, testing and maintenance
• Develop and maintain underwriting rules, risk management principles and regulations to ensure compliance with all currently applicable corporate requirements and state and federal legislation
• Identify underwriting best practices, develop underwriting policies and procedures, and discuss with departmental leadership as needed
• Review and approve system related and pricing tool initiatives along with vendor partnerships that can improve risk selection, pricing and efficiency
• Maintain awareness of market trends, products, market participants and competitive practices, identify emerging threats to the department, analyze and evaluate new developments and trends in the market to identify business potential
• Clearly articulate the department's value proposition
• Provide direction to direct reports in their block renewal strategies using pricing tools, producer analytics, and intel from CFSL sales personnel
• Review producer assignments periodically and work with direct reports to ensure appropriate workload distribution of assigned team(s) and region(s)
• Make independent decisions within underwriting letter of authority and maintain proper file documentation
• Conduct team meetings, individual check-ins, and regular performance discussions with underwriting team(s)
• Build a high-performance culture by developing sales oriented, technically strong underwriters and providing leadership, support and guidance to the underwriting team(s)
• Drive performance excellence through goal-setting, quality feedback, and performance appraisals
• Create a working environment where productivity can be sustained and accomplished, and where innovation and personal growth is encouraged and realized
• Key participant in the development of strategic annual planning as well as drive training, initiatives and projects
• Drive and role model the A&H culture, values and C&F core competencies within their team(s)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience and advanced degree a plus
• 15+ years of experience in medical stop loss underwriting and products
• 5+ years of multidisciplinary management experience with a proven track record in leading large teams and achieving results
• Industry designations applicable to area of specialization a plus
• Advanced knowledge of ESL and ESL Underwriting at the case and portfolio levels
• Exceptional knowledge of underwriting philosophy, techniques, state and federal filing regulations and guidelines
• Advanced knowledge of Medical Underwriting practices and principles
• Strong computer and Microsoft Office skills including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of Connexure a plus
• Some travel required