VP - Underwriting Enablement

UFG is currently seeking a VP of Underwriting Enablement. As a senior leadership role, this position is responsible for overseeing and driving the strategic initiatives that enhance and optimize underwriting operations across the organization. This position involves leading cross-functional teams to improve product, underwriting processes, integrate innovative technology solutions, and ensure the alignment of underwriting practices with business goals and regulatory requirements. The VP will work closely with the ELT (Executive Leadership Team), senior leadership team, underwriting leadership, and other departments to define and implement initiatives that support underwriting excellence, increase operational efficiency, and drive profitability.

Responsibilities:

Product Management Oversight:

• Guide the development and execution of product strategies that support business growth, profitability, and competitive positioning
• Lead the product lifecycle, including ideation, design, regulatory filings, launch and ongoing management.
• Provide research on commercial products and markets to help make policy and practice decisions
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Underwriting, Finance, Legal, Compliance, IT, Field Enablement, Underwriting Support and other business areas to ensure product initiatives are aligned and effectively executed
• Drive implementation of product in all policy administration systems

Field Enablement:

• Maintain guidelines, authority, and UW content
• Create and maintain all LOB/Segment Underwriting templates.
• Drive the field deployment and on-going maintenance for UFG underwriting appetite, guides and best practices working closely with the Field/BU/LOB/Segment leaders to ensure consistency and compliance throughout the underwriting organization.
• In collaboration with underwriting leadership, identify training needs through evaluation of underwriting QA results, internal audit findings, communication of needs from UW leadership or other methods.
• Lead team in the creation of procedures, job aids, workflows or updates for new products, system enhancements, rate, rule, form changes
• Close collaboration with L&K team to ensure adoption of OCM and Training Resources
• Design, document and centralize efficient procedures and workflows across all underwriting roles (support and field underwriting) and make available in an easily accessible and consumable format.

Working in conjunction with underwriting leadership, the:

• Analysis, definition, and workflow/ process design of new underwriting or underwriting support role.
• Leadership over policy clean-up functions to research and resolve underwriting rate, book, issue problems or inquiries and support underwriters and underwriting support.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Demonstrate strong leadership skills to improve the performance, engagement, development and retention of employees.
• Partner with Business Enablement, Actuarial, LOB and Business unit leadership.
• Work closely with Underwriting leadership to implement and execute underwriting strategy to drive profitable growth and achieve business unit objectives.
• Direct department goals, holding others accountable and ensuring alignment with underwriting on the execution of underwriting portfolio management strategies.
• Work cross functionally to drive strategic initiatives, process improvements and technological advancement.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with internal business partners to ensure that corporate goals are achieved, service standards are met, and any concerns are addressed.
• Foster collaborative relationships with external partners such as independent agents and insureds as necessary and appropriate.
• Utilize a data centered approach for decision making to enable UFG in achieving goals.
• Oversee the hiring, training, onboarding, and development of Underwriting Enablement team members through regular conversations, goal setting, and KPI (Key Performance Indicators) tracking within the UFG performance management framework.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree (Required)
  • Typically in Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management, Economics, Insurance or related field. This provides foundational knowledge in business operations, finance, and risk analysis.
• Master’s degree (Preferred):
  • An MBA (Master of Business Administration) or a related advanced degree can be highly beneficial. It helps develop higher-level strategic thinking, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of business operations and management.
• Professional certifications: (Preferred)
  • CPCU, AIAF, or similar underwriting and insurance-related certifications.
  • Project Management Certifications (e.g. PMP) could be beneficial if managing cross-functional initiatives is a key part of the role.

Experience:

• 10 - 15+ years of Underwriting Experience:
  • At least 10 years of experience in underwriting, with a solid understanding of the underwriting process, risk assessment and related functions. This experience typically includes progressively more senior roles, such as Underwriting Manager, Director of Underwriting, or Head of Underwriting.
• 10 - 15+ years of Leadership Experience:
  • Proven experience in leading and managing teams, particularly in underwriting or operations. A VP will need to demonstrate the ability to influence and manage cross-functional teams, drive strategic initiatives, and navigate complex organizational structures
• Operational and Process Improvement Experience:
  • Experience in process optimization, business operations, and implementing technology solutions is essential. Knowledge of understanding systems and how they can be leveraged to improve efficiency and compliance is key
• Strategic Planning and Execution
  • Ability to think strategically and execute plans that drive underwriting performance, meet business goals, and comply with regulatory requirements. Experience in shaping and implementing underwriting strategies that align with organizational objectives is crucial.
• Knowledge of Industry Trends and Technology
  • Understanding of the latest trends in the underwriting industry, including the role of technology (AI, machine learning, automation, etc.) in underwriting processes and decision-making
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration
  • Experience working with other departments such as IT, compliance, risk management, sales, and claims to drive initiatives and improve overall business performance.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Strategic Thinking, Leadership and People Management, Problem-Solving, Communication and Influence, and Change Management

Working Conditions:

• General Office Environment

· 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.

Officer-level employees may also be eligible for additional compensation components, including performance-based incentives, long-term incentive plans, and participation in executive benefit programs.

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