Job Summary

The Underwriting Manager is responsible for leading underwriting operations across Commercial and Personal Lines to achieve profitable growth, underwriting discipline, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. This role sets underwriting strategy, manages underwriting leaders and senior staff, and partners with key stakeholders to optimize portfolio performance, enhance customer and agent experience, and support organizational objectives.

Reports To: Vice President of Underwriting

Duties/Responsibilities

• Leadership & People Management
• Lead, develop, and coach underwriting supervisors, senior underwriters, and underwriting teams across Commercial and Personal Lines
• Establish performance expectations, conduct evaluations, and support career development and succession planning
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, risk awareness, and continuous improvement
• Participate in hiring, workforce planning, and organizational design
• Underwriting Strategy & Oversight
• Define and execute underwriting strategies for Commercial and Personal Lines aligned with company goals, market conditions, and risk appetite
• Provide guidance and authority on complex, high-exposure, or non-standard risk
• Ensure consistent underwriting practices, appropriate pricing, and disciplined risk selection
• Oversee adherence to underwriting guidelines, authority levels, and regulatory requirements
• Portfolio & Financial Management
• Monitor portfolio performance, including loss ratios, premium growth, retention, and exposure management across both lines of business
• Analyze trends, profitability, and loss drivers to identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions
• Partner with Actuarial and Claims to evaluate product performance and support rate, guideline, and appetite changes
• Support balanced growth while maintaining underwriting quality and profitability
• Operational Excellence
• Oversee underwriting workflows, service standards, and productivity across all underwriting teams
• Drive process improvements, automation initiatives, and system enhancements
• Ensure timely, accurate underwriting decisions and documentation
• Lead underwriting audit preparation and corrective action plans
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Distribution to support agency strategies and customer needs
• Serve as underwriting subject matter expert for Commercial and Personal Lines
• Collaborate with Product, Claims, Finance, Compliance, and Operations to support enterprise initiatives
• Represent underwriting leadership on internal committees and cross-functional projects
• Strategy & Change Management
• Contribute to short- and long-term underwriting and company strategic planning
• Lead implementation of new products, programs, or market expansions across lines of business
• Effectively manage change related to system implementations, regulatory updates, or market shifts
• Perform other duties as requested.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8–12+ years of underwriting experience across Commercial and Personal Lines
• Strong knowledge of Commercial Lines: BOP, Package, Property, General Liability, Umbrella
• Knowledge of Personal Lines: Homeowners, Umbrella, Specialty Personal Lines (as applicable)

Technical & Professional Skills

• Expert underwriting judgment and risk evaluation skills
• Strong financial analysis and portfolio management capabilities
• Experience with underwriting systems, rating platforms, and policy administration systems
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; advanced Excel and reporting skills preferred

Professional Designations (Preferred)

• CPCU strongly preferred
• ARM, AU, CLU, or other advanced insurance designations a plus

Core Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Leadership and talent development
• Financial and portfolio management
• Risk assessment and underwriting discipline
• Clear, effective communication
• Relationship management with agents and internal partners
• Change leadership and adaptability

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer, both in a home and office environment. The role involves frequent use of a headset, keyboard, mouse, and other standard office equipment. Occasional movement within the office may be required, such as walking to meetings or accessing shared equipment.

Pay Range:  The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external  market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of Utica First’s total compensation package for employees.   

Utica First offers a competitive salary and benefits package to include:

· Medical (1st of the following month of hire)

· Dental

· Vision

· 401k(s) after 90 days of employment

· Flexible Spending Accounts

· Health Savings Accounts

· Generous Vacation/Sick/Personal Time Off

· Generous Paid Holidays (to include birthday)

· Company Paid Basic Life Insurance

· Company Paid LTD