Financial Lines Senior Underwriter

Purpose

To analyze and underwrite new and renewal business, under limited direction, utilizing The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework within delegated authority levels on highly complex assignments ensuring a high level service to customers.

Job Qualifications

Required

Bachelors degree (or equivalent) and 5 or more years of experience in related field

Additional Education / Experience

• Required: Excellent oral and written communication skills. In-depth kowledge of line(s) of business and legal and regulatory guidelines.
• Required: 2. Strong negotiation skills.
• Required: Strong knowledge of underwriting philosophy, techniques, national/local filing regulations and guidelines
• Required: Ability to effectively assess risk.
• Required: Ability to function in a team environment.
• Required: Demonstrated technical knowledge and skills reflective of progression of positions of increasing responsibility.
• Required: Superior skills in relationship building, active listening, needs analysis and win-win negotiating.
• Required: Demonstrated strong presentation skills and a solutioins and service orientation
• Preferred: Solid knowledge of underwriting practice, processing methods and workflow procedures for Middle Market businesses, facility deals and MGA management.
• Preferred: Experiences in both retail (domestic) and wholesale businesses

Key Accountabilities

• Proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities.
• Complete detailed opportunity assessment with key distributors to identify growth opportunities.
• Qualify accounts to meet with the organization's appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity.
• Make agent/broker/customer and on-sight calls with a planned and well-prepared purpose.
• Negotiate Terms & Conditions and close deals.
• Cross-Sell other lines of business to increase product density with the account.
• Participate in Sales Team meeting as related to assigned brokers and / or territory.
• Proactively engage in the target account process, managing a qualified list of opportunities 90 to 120 days prior to effective date.
• Update required systems with details of broker / client visits and account status within specified time frame.
• Serve as key contact for assigned target accounts.
• Develop strong broker and client networks as related to industries underwritten by Business Unit.
• Calculate Target Price accurately by utilizing underwriting tools appropriately.
• Measure exposure/analyze risk.
• Provide expertise on coverage issues with claims programs and guidelines.
• Contribute to development of u/w manuals, programs and guidelines.
• Develop and lead marketing presentations to new and current agents/brokers
• Promote the organization's products and services in order to increase penetration within agency plant
• Ensure the successful completion of projects by maintaining continuing dialogue with business unit sponsors during implementation of major projects
• Diagnose and develop recommendations to solve unique business unit and customer problems
• Lead complex technical or long-term (over 6 months) business projects to implement new or changed systems, programs or products
• Investigate, recommend and implement leading edge technical solutions when they meet customer needs

Job Functions

• Monitor and review work undertaken across a number of small to medium scale projects or a large complex project in order to ensure appropriate use of resources and adherence to schedules.
• Provide advisory services to colleagues on a daily basis, measuring exposure and analyzing risk in order to provide appropriate coverage that meets the organization´s risk and compliance processes.
• Research primary data sources, select relevant information, analyze key themes and trends and make recommendations to support operational decision-making such as which coverage to provide.
• Research best practice and provide consultancy to support senior management in developing and improving processes and systems relevant to underwriting.
• Assess complex customer cases, evaluate their unique needs and apply technical techniques and know-how to recommend a solution.
• Build relationships with customers by handling a range of queries and provide advice with the development of an account to create additional value for the organization and customers.
• • Apply rating tools and methodologies to own work area to deliver to customers and offer suggestions for improvements.

Business Accountabilities

• Enhance business through consulting with key customers.
• Ensures the successful completion of projects by maintaining continuing dialogue with business unit sponsors during implementation of major projects.
• Diagnose and develop recommendations to solve unique business unit and customer problems.
• Lead complex technical or long-term (over 6 months) business projects to implement new or changed systems, programs or products.
• Investigate, recommend and implement leading edge technical solutions when they meet customer needs.
• Utilize established financial systems and track metrics and key performance indicators to ensure underwriting authority is meeting standards and business goals.
• Monitor and review work undertaken across a number of small to medium scale projects or a large complex project in order to ensure appropriate use of resources and adherence to schedules.
• Provide advisory services to colleagues on a daily basis, measuring exposure and analyzing risk in order to provide appropriate coverage that meets the organization´s risk and compliance processes.
• Research primary data sources, select relevant information, analyze key themes and trends and make recommendations to support operational decision-making such as which coverage to provide.
• Assess complex customer cases, evaluate their unique needs and apply technical techniques and know-how to recommend a solution. • 
• Apply rating tools and methodologies to own work area to deliver to customers and offer suggestions for improvements. • Advise senior management on appropriate coverage given to customers and/or ensure accurate calculation of earned premium to protect the organization´s interests.