VP, S&S Contracting

Crum & Forster (C&F) provides market-leading property & casualty, accident & health, specialty, and standard commercial lines insurance solutions. With a 200-year history, C&F helps customers manage risk through focused expertise, integrity, and discipline. The company empowers employees to make swift, smart decisions and boasts an annual gross written premium of $6.2 billion. Rated "A+" (Superior) by AM Best, C&F employs 3,000 people across the United States and India and is recognized as a great place to work, earning awards such as Great Place to Work®, Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, and Fortune Best Workplaces for Parents and Millennials.

About the role

The VP of Contracting is responsible for leading and overseeing the Owners Interest book, assisting with key underwriting referrals, and mentoring and training underwriters. This role provides strategic direction and operational leadership across all underwriting functions, ensuring the effective execution of the company’s underwriting vision. The VP will drive process optimization, quality assurance, and operational efficiency while partnering with Operations, Underwriting, and Claims leadership to deliver superior business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of contracting underwriting operations, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, and procedures to drive efficiency, accuracy, and quality in underwriting processes.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to measure the effectiveness, accuracy, and timeliness of underwriting teams.
• Use business feedback and data-driven insights to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for process errors or inefficiencies.
• Track and report on team performance, productivity, and work volume statistics.
• Oversee the development and execution of training programs, quality reviews, and audit processes to ensure high standards of underwriting quality.
• Foster strong relationships with internal business partners, including Underwriting, Operations, and Claims, to ensure service excellence and continuous feedback.
• Partner with key stakeholders to identify and implement process improvements and innovation opportunities.
• Review and manage underwriting operations budgets and financials to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies across all underwriting activities.

Requirements

• 10+ years of work experience in insurance, with significant experience in underwriting construction.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or professional insurance designation preferred.
• Proven experience scaling underwriting operations and onboarding new personnel and work types.
• Strong technical skills and understanding of insurance workflows, with the ability to leverage technology to improve processes.
• Demonstrated ability to set strategic direction, drive change, and deliver results in a dynamic environment.
• Strong background implementing AI into underwriting to improve efficiency and outcomes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Visio, PowerPoint, Teams, Jira/Confluence, SharePoint, and related applications.
• Willingness to adapt schedule and approach to drive maximum impact in the role.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills for engaging with diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate, prioritize, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proactive, hands-on leader with a collaborative approach and a “roll up your sleeves” mindset.

Pay

The annualized base pay for this position ranges from a minimum of $138,700 to a maximum of $260,800. Actual compensation is determined by factors such as market pay for the role, responsibilities, required skills, and employee performance.

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements.
• Competitive compensation package, including discretionary equity (stock) based compensation and performance-based variable pay programs.
• Company car provided.
• Generous 401K employer match.
• Employee Stock Purchase plan with employer matching.
• Generous Paid Time Off.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Wellness programs focusing on physical and mental wellbeing for employees and their families.
• Tuition reimbursement, industry-related certifications, and professional training opportunities.
• Matching donation program, volunteer opportunities, and employee-driven corporate giving.