Underwriting Consulting Director (National Accounts, Primary Casualty)

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JOB DESCRIPTION:

CNA’s US Insurance Operations (USIO) provides standard lines commercial property and casualty insurance products such as General and Product Liability, Property and Commercial Auto, Workers' Compensation, Umbrella Liability and Excess Liability Coverages to businesses of all sizes. Our  Commercial Standard lines team underwrites a diverse mix of business and industry classes including Manufacturing, Distributors, Education, Real Estate, Technology, Wholesale, Retail, Service classes and also includes a Construction unit that serves the special insurance needs of construction businesses.

 
Our Large Account Primary Casualty Underwriting Consulting Directors are high level individual contributors responsible for overall management, business development, growth and profitability of a book of Large Account Casualty business spanning a wide range of industry segments and revenue bands. 

• Heavy emphasis on new business production of risk management primary accounts.

• Recognized as technical experts in an underwriting specialty, including loss sensitive account structures

• Drive business results through strong sales, marketing and relationship building skills with external Agents and internal business partners (local Branch and Home Office teams)

CNA distributes its products through partnerships with independent agents and brokers and manages the production of those relationships by developing deep relationships though high visibility, superior customer service, and demonstrating excellence in technical underwriting disciplines. The Standard Lines operating model focuses on underwriting performance, exposure-based pricing, and building strong producer and customer relationships. This is accomplished by executing to CNA’s core principles and maintaining a strong working relationship with internal business units including Claim and Risk Control.

Position Summary

The Underwriter is responsible for using technical, sales and analytical skills to provide insurance solutions that help CNA’s customers manage risk. The Underwriter will have a thorough understanding of CNA’s strategies and appetites and will use internal and external data to make appropriate individual and portfolio risk decisions. 

The Underwriter is responsible for the profitable growth of an assigned book of business, utilizing underwriting policies and guidelines, rating rules and insurance laws and regulations. The open position is located in the Chicago, IL office reporting to the AVP of Underwriting for National Accounts.
 

Ideal candidate will have 7-10+ years of large account casualty underwriting experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Underwriting Expertise

• Reviews applications and financial requirements to determine acceptability of risk in accordance with CNA’s guidelines and standards

• Understands pricing components and rating methodology as well as use of the predictive modeling tools; prices risk based on financial and competitive analysis

• Uses all appropriate underwriting tools (, disciplines and knowledge of strategies to ensure underwriting guidelines are followed

• Analyzes coverage and limits of underlying policies to properly structure the CNA Umbrella or Excess attachment and coverage.   

• Completes underwriting write ups to detail the underwriting thought process including analysis of operations, exposures, coverage and losses.  

• Demonstrates technical underwriting skills through account reviews and file documentation

• Adheres to guidelines and underwriting discipline to minimize exposure and appropriately price

• Keeps current on state/territory issues, regulations and trends

2. Portfolio Management

• Manages assigned portfolio to achieve gross written premium, profitability, rate, retention, product mix, new business and portfolio management goals

• Prioritizes time and resources to effectively manage and optimize producer performance

• Operates with an Enterprise perspective to identify cross sell opportunities and create growth within other lines of business and customer segments

• Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of CNA’s products and appetite while clearly communicating CNA’s position at the point of sale

3. Sales & Distribution Management

• Builds/maintains rigorous sales practices using all CNA systems including SalesForce.com and other sales tools and disciplines

• Develops producer relationships to build pipeline, agency intelligence, and drives performance to meet and exceed results

• Develops and implements distributor specific plans, monitors performance, and adjusts plan to ensure a substantial pipeline for future profitable growth

• Drives effective relationship management and customer activities to build trust, facilitate negotiation and secure commitment with the customer

• Proactively identifies cross-sell opportunities and partners with other underwriters to deliver comprehensive insurance solutions for the customer

In all responsibilities and interactions, all employees are expected to adopt and align with CNA’s Winning Behaviors – to be externally focused, accountable, collaborative, innovative, and continuously learning.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of underwriting processes, coverages, and tools to gather and evaluate information in order to reach appropriate decisions on renewals and new business

• Ability to effectively interact and communicate with all levels of external and/or internal business partners within scope of responsibility, team and/or matrix environment

• Ability to uncover customer needs, position specific solutions, handle objections and close deals

• Ability to exercise judgment, negotiate and make sound business decisions effectively based on level of authority

• Strong ability to identify, analyze and solve problems as well as the ability to learn rapidly, adapt quickly to change, exercise influence, and manage and prioritize multiple concurrent projects 

Education & Experience

1. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.  Professional designations preferred.
2. Typically, a minimum 10+ years underwriting experience.

As determined by CNA and depending on the applicant’s experience and/or qualifications, candidates may be hired into one of two Underwriter positions: Underwriting Consultant or Underwriting Consulting Director. Typically, 7 -10+ years of related experience. 

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In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $97,000 to $189,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location. CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees – and their family members – achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals.  For a detailed look at CNA’s benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.

CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact leaveadministration@cna.com.