Territory: Buffalo, NY/ Western New York State, NEW BUSINESS

The salary range for this role is $78,500 to $120,800 per year paid on a salaried basis. The rate offered to any candidate will be reflective of the candidate’s experience and any relevant education, certification, or qualifications related to their ability to perform the responsibilities of this position as permitted by law.

Ideal candidate will reside in or in close proximity to Buffalo, NY, as this position requires an ability to travel in the assigned territory for up to 10% of the time regularly, more travel may be required as business needs dictate.

At Preferred, we understand the importance of holistic health. To meet the diverse needs of our employees, we offer a comprehensive set of benefits:

Financial

• Short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage are provided at no cost
• Optional benefits include enhanced life insurance and critical illness plans
• 401k plan with an employer contribution that you will receive regardless of your own contribution to the plan
• Pension Plan
• Certain positions may also be eligible for short-term incentive plans.

Social

• Generous paid time off, offering of 25 days at hire (prorated based on start date for the first year)
• 7 days of paid sick leave
• 10 paid company holidays
• Personalized paid time off after 3 years!

Emotional

• Access to Modern Health, a provider of accessible, personalized mental health care

Physical

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options begin on the first day of employment
• Flex Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts (with employer contribution) are available based on the medical plan you choose

YOUR PURPOSE AND FUNCTION IN OUR COMPANY:

Senior Underwriters are responsible for driving profitable growth of the business unit by underwriting new/renewal policies within assigned authority, and building and maintaining strong agency relationships, partnering with agency staff and Field Agency Managers. The UW should work closely with the Underwriting Assistants and Business Services staff, following established workflows, to ensure all policies are underwritten in the most efficient and effective manner while meeting service standards and performance goals.

• Cultivate, review, and underwrite new and renewal policy accounts with assigned agents
• Ensure proper classification and pricing of individual risks, leveraging company models in addition to individual risk underwriting
• Perform selection or rejection of insurance risks in accordance with company standards and procedures as outlined in underwriting guidelines
• Apply sales and marketing techniques and efforts towards meeting Business Unit and agency goals
• Foster and maintain key Agency relationships within assigned Agency base
• Drive sales/growth within assigned Agency base, meeting production, retention, rate and profitability goals within the territory
• Maintain external visibility with agency partners via a combination of in-person travel, virtual meetings and proactive phone/email communications
• Demonstrate technical expertise in product offerings, forms, policy language, (including competitor offerings) etc.
• Assist in the development and delivery of training to departmental peers in a mentoring capacity
• Provide insight to Product Team to help with prioritization and delivery of key products
• Provide insight to Actuarial Team to aide in setting product pricing/rate setting
• Actively contribute to agency reviews including development of agency financial plans and development of tactics to achieve them
• Drive maintenance and updating of departmental procedures
• Leveraging portfolio management tools and techniques, enhance self and team’s overall knowledge and expertise of the book of business.
• Creatively identify additional sources for sales growth (book rolls, etc.) based on competitive intelligence and agency management
• Agency Management: Work with Field Agency Managers to recognize and analyze agency performance, working with management to make appropriate adjustments to drive increased growth and/or profitability.

KEY CAPABILITIES FOR SUCCESS:

• Technical Underwriting
• Interpersonal effectiveness
• Leadership impact
• Managing sales engagements
• Business management skills
• Personal effectiveness

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent Required
• Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
• 3-6+ years of experience in P&C underwriting or equivalent relevant, related experience
• Excellent oral and written communication, listening, team building, organizational and negotiation skills
• Relationship management experience and proven ability to manage conflict and drive sales
• Time management skills that support the achievement of goals and objectives
• Knowledge of insurance products, underwriting guidelines and philosophy
• Skilled in the areas of account planning, account selling and product strategies
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and proactively respond to market needs and trends by recommending programs that are mutually beneficial and profitable to the Agency and the Company
• Demonstrated ability to excel in an underwriting role/environment
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel up to 10% of the time regularly, more travel may be required as business needs dictate

ABOUT US: As a mutual company, we are independent by nature, so we think about insurance solutions a little differently. Through listening, problem solving, examining your challenges and collaborating on the right solutions for you, Preferred Mutual independent agents provide flexible solutions and adapt to your evolving needs. We do the same for our employees. We are process and domain experts, focused on the solutions that deliver results for our clients and our company. We offer a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. With Preferred, there are no surprises. You can count on us to deliver on our promises and be there when you need us, as your insurance provider and your employer. Preferred Mutual is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

DISCLAIMER: This role (job) description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification. The duties described are not to be interpreted as being all-inclusive to any specific employee. Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this position description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between Preferred Mutual Insurance Company and its employees.