Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager - Illinois

Position Overview

The Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager is a hybrid position that will provide leadership to a team of Commercial Underwriters, while regularly engaging with Agents across the State of Illinois on generating new commercial business by acceptance or rejection of commercial insurance risks based on Hastings product and coverage guidelines.

Position Location & Work Format

• This is a remote position, but as this role will also generate new business and regularly engage with our agents, the individual in this position must currently reside, or be able to relocate to the State of Illinois (no specific city is required). 
• A company vehicle, corporate credit card, cell phone and other equipment is provided given the scope of duties.
• Generally, this role will work within our standard office hours of Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm.

Position Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership Duties

• Leads a Commercial Underwriting unit including coaching, training, staffing, and performance management functions to achieve corporate goals and objectives for:
  • Loss Ratio
  • Premium and Policy Growth
  • Customer Service
• Provides daily assistance and guidance to underwriting staff.
• Creates, modifies, and maintains underwriting discipline and underwriting structure. Monitors ongoing compliance with underwriting policies, practices, and philosophies.

Commercial Underwriting Duties

• Reviews, approves, and processes applications which are acceptable in relation to underwriting guidelines to achieve corporate premium and profitability objectives, while operating within established service standards.
• Stays up-to-date and knowledgeable of all commercial products, pricing, and coverages.
• Interprets and understands authority levels, guidelines, and additional underwriting resource materials to achieve quality metrics.
• Effectively and efficiently communicates and negotiates with external contacts including agency staff, policyholders, external vendors, and Hastings business units.
• Contributes to the development of new commercial products, including the modification of existing products in conjunction with Product Development.
• Assists on departmental and corporate projects as assigned.
• Actively participates in professional development, i.e. continuing education or self-improvement.
• Other duties as assigned by leadership, either verbally or in writing.

Candidate Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Insurance Management, or a related field, or equivalent work experience is required.
• Professional designations preferred: Associate in Underwriting (AU), or Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).
• Five years minimum of Commercial Lines Underwriting experience is required.
• Prior supervisory/leadership experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated keyboarding skills and proficiency with business applications.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication ability required.

About Us 

At Hastings Insurance, our balanced corporate strategy focuses on implementing emerging technologies, cultivating strong independent agency relationships, and providing the right products to our policyholders. 

We seek to strategically grow our product lines and continue to expand geographically while maintaining our financial stability and innovative nature. 

Our talented employees are dedicated to providing excellent customer service to our agent partners and policyholders. Many of our employees have been identified as industry experts, and we value the knowledge and skill that they contribute to our success. 

For more than 135 years, Hastings has helped our customers protect their valued assets and rebuild after devastating losses. We are proud to be rated an A (Excellent) insurance carrier by A.M. Best Company.