Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter

As a Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter at Burns & Wilcox, your main responsibilities include building and managing your own book of business, overseeing agency relationships, and serving as the primary client contact. You’ll also be tasked with creating marketing plans to drive new and renewal business, as well as assessing risks by rating, quoting, and binding coverages for complex renewals and new business. Additionally, you will lead and develop junior underwriters while monitoring key performance metrics to ensure the success of the underwriting function.

To qualify for the Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter position at Burns & Wilcox, candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, coupled with a minimum of three years of commercial lines underwriting or brokerage experience. While excess and surplus experience is preferred, proficiency in sales and marketing is crucial. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are also essential. Preferred qualifications include an insurance license and designations such as CPCU or CIC.

At Burns & Wilcox, we pride ourselves on providing a flexible and supportive work environment. As a Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter, you can enjoy hybrid and remote work options that allow for better work-life balance. Our culture encourages professional growth, supported by opportunities for continuing education and development. We understand the importance of a positive workplace, making sure that our employees feel valued and empowered to thrive in their roles.

The Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter position at Burns & Wilcox offers a competitive compensation package ranging between $115,000 to $150,000 annually. This comprehensive package is designed to reward your expertise and contributions, ensuring that you feel valued as part of our team. Alongside the competitive salary, employees also receive health benefits, a 401K with an employer match, and bonuses for continued education courses.

Burns & Wilcox is committed to fostering career advancement for all employees. As a Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter, you will be in a position to lead and mentor Assistant and Associate Underwriters, providing you with leadership development opportunities. Our company encourages continued education and certification pursuits, allowing you to enhance your skills and qualifications in the insurance industry, positioning yourself for further advancement within our organization.

When answering this question, focus on specific examples of past experiences that highlight your knowledge and proficiency in underwriting complex commercial lines. Discuss any particular cases you managed, the challenges faced, and the successful outcomes resulting from your decisions. Make sure to emphasize your analytical and decision-making skills as they relate to assessing risks.

A great response to this question should outline your approach to building and maintaining agency relationships. Share specific strategies you employ to communicate effectively, understand their unique needs, and collaborate on marketing initiatives. Highlight instances where nurturing these relationships directly contributed to increased business or retention.

To effectively answer this question, provide an overview of the metrics you track, such as premium growth, loss ratios, and renewal retention rates. Explain the analytical tools you use to monitor these metrics and how you interpret the data to inform strategic changes in your underwriting approach. Be sure to mention your proactive nature in addressing trends or issues as they arise.

When discussing a challenging decision, clearly outline the situation, the factors you had to consider, your thought process, and the final decision you made. Focus on the positive outcomes of that decision, whether it was a profitable resolution or a learning experience that improved your future underwriting practices. This showcases your critical thinking and adaptability.

In your answer, emphasize the importance of compliance in underwriting. Discuss methods you use to stay updated on regulations and best practices, as well as any checklists or systems that guide your workflow. Mention any training sessions or courses that you've participated in that enhance your compliance knowledge and skills.

In answering this question, share specific examples of how you’ve successfully led and mentored junior underwriters in past roles. Highlight any training programs you created or led, the impact this had on the team’s performance, and how you adapted your approach based on individual team member's needs. Demonstrating your leadership style will set you apart.

This is an opportunity to showcase your commitment to professional development. Describe the industry publications, blogs, webinars, and networking events that help you stay updated. Sharing how you apply this knowledge in your role or decision-making processes conveys your dedication to your profession.

In your response, outline the key factors you consider when developing marketing plans. Discuss how you assess market trends, client needs, and competitive offerings. Give an example of a successful marketing strategy you implemented that led to increased business, showing your business acumen.

When answering this question, discuss your methodology for assessing risks. Outline the various factors you analyze, such as claims history, risk management practices, and market conditions. It's also helpful to touch on your analytical skills and how you use them to ensure competitive quoting while maintaining a responsible risk appetite.

This is your chance to sell your unique qualifications. Highlight your experience, skills, and attributes that make you a valuable asset. Discuss your commitment to excellence in underwriting, ability to build relationships, and contributions you’ve made in past roles. Tailor your response to resonate with Burns & Wilcox’s values and goals.