Corporate Counsel - Underwriting & Product Management

UFG is currently hiring a Corporate Counsel, Underwriting and Product Management to serve as a trusted legal advisor to business leaders on commercial insurance product development, underwriting strategy, insurance regulatory matters, and compliance initiatives. This role supports product innovation, insurance regulatory compliance, and business growth by providing legal guidance on rates, rules, forms, policy language, underwriting practices, and emerging regulatory developments.

While we can offer a remote work arrangement, if the ideal candidate resides near a regional office there is opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement.   

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist in reviewing and developing insurance policy language, coverage enhancements and manuscript endorsements across all lines of commercial insurance.
• Partner with underwriting and product development teams to design, revise, and launch insurance products, ensuring regulatory compliance, state-specific considerations, and support for strategic business initiatives, market expansion, and new lines of business.
• Analyze, organize, and effectively distribute information on insurance industry developments, including department of insurance bulletins, enacted legislation, and other information issued by regulatory and non-regulatory authorities such as the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA).
• Provide practical, risk-based legal advice that balances regulatory compliance, business objectives, operational efficiency, and customer needs.
• Regularly monitor and assess underwriting operations to help ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Review, revise, and evaluate underwriting compliance programs in accordance with regulatory expectations and industry best practices.
• Support the identification, implementation, and communication of operational and product changes required by regulatory authorities and industry standards.
• Develop and administer internal training on insurance compliance requirements, as needed.
• Research and respond to questions from internal business units concerning regulations, legislation, insurance department policies and positions, commercial deregulation, cancellation and nonrenewal, and other compliance-related issues.
• Review and approve product, coverage, and underwriting-related marketing materials to ensure legal, regulatory, and compliance standards are met prior to distribution.
• Provide comprehensive legal review of underwriting guidelines.
• Collaborate with agency distribution and business teams to support producer, agency, and distribution compliance requirements.
• Assist with reviews to ensure that all corporate regulatory policies and procedures affecting all lines of business are properly documented, implemented, and communicated to relevant internal and external parties.
• Support broader corporate governance, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), internal audit activities, market conduct examinations, financial examinations, and other regulatory reviews affecting the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Specifications:

Education:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school required.
• Active bar admission in any U.S. state required.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant legal experience supporting insurance regulatory compliance, product development, underwriting, or commercial insurance coverage matters.
• Extensive knowledge of property and casualty insurance products and the legal, regulatory, and compliance frameworks governing insurance operations.
• In-house experience with a commercial lines insurance carrier is strongly preferred, but not required
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and partner effectively across all levels of the organization.

Knowledge, skills & abilities:

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work effectively under pressure
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, sound judgment, adaptability, and the ability to make effective decisions in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Self-directed and solution-oriented professional with strong business acumen and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally to achieve enterprise objectives.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and complete time-sensitive projects
• Must deploy sound, mature legal judgment, and influence to build effective working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external colleagues
• Ability to explain complex and/or sensitive information in a straightforward manner
• Commitment to collaboration and contributing to a high-performing, highly engaged team environment.
• Proficiency with legal, underwriting, and insurance administration systems, including Guidewire, ImageRight, and related business applications.

Working Conditions:

• General office environment if located near an office (remote work possible)
• Must be available for occasional business travel (estimated to be 5% of time or less).

Pay Transparency Statement: 

UFG Insurance is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The base salary range for this position is $160,000 - $200,00 annually, which represents the typical range for new hires in this role. Individual pay within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, education, certifications, skills, internal equity, geography and market data. 

In addition to base salary, UFG Insurance offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes:

• Annual incentive compensation
• Medical, dental, vision & life insurance
• Accident, critical Illness & short-term disability insurance
• Retirement plans with employer contributions
• Generous time-off program
• Programs designed to support the employee well-being and financial security.

This pay range disclosure is provided in accordance with applicable state and local pay transparency laws.