Senior Underwriting Specialist

Company Details:

Acadia Insurance is a regional property casualty insurer with offices throughout the Northeast.  As a member of W.R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB), one of the largest property casualty insurance holding companies in the United States, our financial strength and integrity are two of the main reasons why Independent Agents place business with us.  Acadia is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, with an A+ claim paying ability rating by Standard & Poor’s. 

At Acadia, we value our employees, our customers and our communities.  Employees at Acadia are part of a progressive company where everyone can make a difference.  We promote an inclusive environment which encourages continuous learning and the chance to grow and develop. 

• Responsible for new and renewal accounts with a focus on acquisition including underwriting and pricing accounts in accordance with Acadia’s underwriting standards and personal underwriting authority.
• Evaluate, select, and price policies for assigned agencies to achieve underwriting profit (within underwriting authority), premium growth, desired business mix, market/agency penetration, and agency management objectives with a focus on new business. Refer risks exceeding authority to management with recommendations for approval or disposition.
• Develop and manage assigned agency relationships with producers and customers through visitations and regular customer contact.
• Evaluate the performance of assigned agencies on an ongoing basis to ensure company and agency goals and objectives are met. Participate in review and evaluation of agencies and make recommendations on agency management issues. Communicate corporate goals, programs, underwriting policies, procedures, and guidelines to agents.

• Monitor production, hit ratios, renewal retention ratios, spread of risk, and other production and quality measures.
• Request information needed for underwriting and pricing of assigned business.
• Conduct negotiations with assigned agents.
• Coordinate loss control, claim, audit and billing services as needed.
• Bind reinsurance, review certificates from reinsurers.
• Maintain a workflow for your assigned territory which meets all the standards and expectations of the department. Strive to improve processes within the Company to increase the level and quality of service provided to internal and external customers.
• Demonstrate a commitment to self-development.
• Manage larger agencies and complex accounts.
• Act as a resource for other in the department and provide direction to underwriters and support staff as needed.
• Negotiate facultative reinsurance on accounts where needed.
• Train or assist in training others as necessary. Help co-workers improve their skills by sharing your knowledge.
• Develop loss sensitive pricing approaches including retrospective rating plans and large deductibles.
• Assist in the training (coverages, new products) of staff.
• Develop and evaluate information regarding local market opportunities and competition, and funnel recommendations regarding new products and associated rates to management.
• Work with Home Office processing unit to ensure timely and accurate delivery of commercial insurance products. Jointly identify unprofitable business and take appropriate underwriting action.

• Demonstrated success in developing and maintaining positive relationships.

• Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university and 10 or more years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Excellent communication skills, including listening for solutions.
• Demonstrates a willingness to collaborate with colleagues and present in a way that influences others.,
• An ability to think analytically about business problems, make recommendations and propose solutions.
• High energy self-starter, who is resilient and has an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Ability to sell and influence others.
• Goal-oriented achiever who delivers results.
• Basic knowledge of computer programs in a windows environment, including Word, Excel and Email is mandatory.
• Prior experience working with on-line underwriting tools is preferred (e.g., Silver Plume, and Reference Connect).
• Advanced professional insurance coursework (i.e., CPCU or AU) or completion of other insurance related classes is preferred.
• BA/BS degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience working as an Underwriter in Commercial Property & Casualty
• Ability to travel in assigned territory
• Valid driver’s license required

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.