Head Of In-House Underwriting Support

We will consider candidates in Princeton, NJ and Philadelphia, PA.

We’re adding to our diverse team of experts and are looking to hire those who are committed to building a culture that enables the creation of innovative solutions for our business units and clients.

Munich Re Specialty Insurance (MRSI) provides extensive, specialty property and casualty insurance solutions to customers through select brokers, Managing General Agents, program administrators, cover holders and insurtech partners. Products include: property, casualty, professional liability and other specialty insurance solutions. Our comprehensive, customized solutions are provided by A+ rated carriers and are tailored to clients’ needs. We offer superior service levels, industry-recognized underwriting and claims expertise and innovative approaches to complex and evolving risks.

Munich Re Specialty Insurance (MRSI) is a description for the insurance business operations of affiliated companies in the Munich Re Group that share a common directive to offer and deliver specialty property and casualty insurance products and services in North America. For more information on MRSI, including licensing, regulatory-required, and other information on the operating companies, visit https://www.munichre.com/us-non-life/en/general/munich-re-specialty-insurance-disclosures.html..

The Opportunity

This role will lead MRSI’s In-House Underwriting Service and Delivery teams. Service Delivery includes underwriter assistants and policy servicing support. This role will take responsibility for two currently separate teams (supporting two business units) under one management umbrella. The ideal candidate will navigate the need to lead people (Managers, Team Leads, and Direct Employees), drive/enable change, and manage the day-to-day activities of the team. The role will be regularly engaged with senior leadership and is expected to aid in defining strategies to meet current and future business needs. While primarily a leadership role, chosen candidates will be expected to roll-up their sleeves with the team to complete work. This is a key role within the MRSI Operations team expected to build and foster a collaborative, informative, client and results focused culture with a diverse and energized team.

Job Responsibilities:

• Contributes to MRSI’s business priorities and planning
• Work cross-functionally with Data and Analytics, Technology, and other business unites as needed to execute on service delivery measurement strategies
• Specific account escalations (errors, changes, rush requests)
• Actively engage in team members career development ensuring success in current role while developing for future opportunities
• Manage day to day work assignments ensuring underwriting tasks associated with clearance, binding, booking, issuing, and servicing accounts happen within expected service levels and with high quality
• Team escalations – HR/Other
• Define training requirements for supported business units for new team members, new processes, and process changes
• Work cross-functionally with Business Architecture, Transformation, Product Ownership, and technology to define, develop, test, and approve system requirements/launches
• Operate as an active Service Delivery Leadership Team Member helping shape the future vision as the business grows and changes over the coming years
• Adjust resource allocations to react to changes in work volumes across the underwriting value chain
• Manage the In-House Underwriting Business Unit teams in Excess & Surplus and in Public Entity Risk Solutions
• Ensure on-going training for team member development as needed
• Intentionally recruit a diverse, knowledgeable, and talented team across all roles w/in the team
• Work autonomously given understanding of business strategy to define operational tactics needed to complete work
• Workarounds as required
• Build the MRSI culture:
• Technical/system problems
• Perform root cause analysis (as needed and in conjunction with your team) for issues identifying specific and systemic gaps (if any) and create action plans to address
• Lead policy and process definition on behalf of supported business units. Drafting and presenting to stakeholders for evaluation, approval, and implementation
• Organize and lead meetings for all assigned projects, teams and individuals
• Provides leadership to Managers, Team Leads and underwriting support team members in support of assigned business units including but not limited to:
• Define Service Delivery Performance Measurement Strategies for teams and individuals in support of assigned business units
• Act as the point of escalation across supported business units ensuring issues are resolved in a timely and effective manner. Escalations include but are not limited to:
• Define Service Delivery Measurement Strategies to include KPI definition and reporting requirements (daily, monthly, quarterly)
• Work cross-functionally to execute on Service Delivery Measurement Strategies
• Forecast and refine staffing model and propose changes to staffing allocations and hiring plans
• Communicate daily/weekly/monthly business unit performance ensuring transparency with leadership, business units, and team members
• Lead quarterly business reviews preparing and reviewing team successes and limitations as well as recommendation for change for improvement
• Partner as Operations Lead and Subject Matter Expert with Business Unit Leaders and stakeholders for all assigned In-House Underwriting Business Units
• Ensure we maintain/build a client focused organization through varied delivery models where appropriate
• Ensure approved policies and processes are fully implemented to achieve business objectives
• Evaluate the effectiveness of our service model, make recommendations for process improvement activities and continuously refine process and systems to reduce costs incurred in the process

Qualifications :

• Proven track record creating ad-hoc reporting as-necessary to support business decisions/outcomes
• Exceptional Communication (Oral, Written, and Presentation) skills
• Proven track record of developing team member skills/capabilities and developing career plans/objectives
• Proven track record of engagement at all management/leadership and team member levels
• “Get it Done” attitude supported through respectful, thorough, and thoughtful message delivery
• Leads through influence vs. directive styles, brings people along on the journey
• Ability to build effective relationships at all levels within an organization and collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Ability to analyze complex administrative or business problems, evaluate alternatives, make appropriate recommendations
• Ability to think strategically and act tactically
• Process and people performance measurement strategy experience
• Ability to manage multiple projects and multiple stakeholders simultaneously
• Lean Sigma or similar process design experience

Required Experiences

• Strong business and financial acumen
• 10+ years of P&C insurance industry experience
• Advanced knowledge of insurance principles including rating, form development, procedures, regulations, coverages and business processes
• 3+ years’ operating within a centralized underwriting support model
• 5+ years leading underwriting support in a high-volume insurance industry

At Munich Re US, we see Diversity and Inclusion as a solution to the challenges and opportunities all around us. Our goal is to foster an inclusive culture and build a workforce that reflects the customers we serve and the communities in which we live and work. We strive to provide a workplace where all of our colleagues feel respected, valued and empowered to achieve their very best every day. We recruit and develop talent with a focus on providing our customers the most innovative products and services.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.