Sr Manager, UnderwritingOld Republic Bitco is seeking a Sr Manager, Underwriting to join our regional office located in Pasadena CA. This position is open to a hybrid work arrangement, blending flexibility with meaningful in person collaboration.We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Underwriting Manager to lead and elevate our branch office underwriting operations. In this pivotal role, you will drive both strategic and day-to-day activities, partnering closely with regional leadership to achieve ambitious sales and profitability goals.
The ideal candidate is a skilled decision-maker and mentor who brings deep technical underwriting expertise, strong agency relationship management, and a proven ability to guide high-performing teams. This position offers the opportunity to shape business outcomes, influence growth within an assigned territory, and play a key leadership role in advancing our organization's mission, values, and long-term success.Primary Responsibilities:Participates with the regional manager and other appropriate persons in the branch office in preparing and carrying out the office's business plan each year, including overseeing such activities and setting of business objectives with revisions and modifications as needed to meet the branch sales and profit goalsWith the regional manager's assistance, staffs the underwriting jobs under her or his supervision with persons who have the appropriate skills, abilities and interests to perform the assigned jobsCoordinates with the regional and claims manager in preparing or assisting in the preparation of required budgets for the branch office, such as manpower and sales and the submitting of such budgets to managementCoordinates with the regional manager on staffing and personnel administration, including assigning and maintaining proper job classifications and conducting timely and appropriate evaluations of job performances, for all persons under her or his supervisionDirects and supervises underwriting activities of assigned Underwriting staff, including the quality, quantity and timeliness of workMaintains current company and department procedures. Assigns work, provides training and feedback to team members, and conducts timely and appropriate evaluations of job performance in the departmentUnderwrites or provides assistance in underwriting large or unusual risks which require a high level of technical knowledge and skill in product and industryConducts reviews of underwriting filesAssists regional manager with various projects as neededDecides whether to accept, decline or modify applications or requests to sell an insurance policy and once sold, recognizing and evaluating exposure changes as they occur during a policy period and including an understanding of the company's target programs and coverageEvaluates, quotes and negotiates prices on applications from new and renewal customers and requests for changes in policies which requires an understanding of statutory requirements, ISO, company and NCCI coverage forms and endorsements and commercial line reference manuals, including Best's Underwriting GuideDemonstrates consistently above average proficiency in recognizing key underwriting issues and taking appropriate action on developed informationManages a group of agencies, including prospecting for new agencies, agency appointment, growth and development, maximization of agency profit sharing opportunities and credit management; evaluating agency factors, including agency personnel, line diversification, loss ratio, agency book of business, volume and profit potential and which agencies to appoint or terminateTravel as necessary to perform sales and marketing activities, maintain territory, attend meetings, or for other reasons deemed necessary to fulfill position requirementsSolicit new business and retain renewal business through effective presentations to agency and customer audiencesManages and develops business in an assigned territory, including achieving profitable underwriting results, sales development and customer service functionsFormulates, plans and achieves sales budgets, with objectives to support business planning, for assigned accounts and territory, including setting and achieving premium and loss ratio goals, agency and prospecting calls and business forecastingWorking with a structured referral process, maintains, promotes and increases profitable sales from current and prospective customer accounts through, among other activities, regular agency visits, developing agency relationships and agency reviewsMakes decisions within stated levels of authority and company guidelines, seeks exceptions to guidelines as needed when supported by appropriate dataIdentifies and takes appropriate action on changes in customer operations or financial conditionsParticipate in complex research, analysis or development projects requiring advanced skills as assigned directly from home office underwritingMaintains and promotes profitable business relationships with current and prospective customer accounts, through effective marketing, sales and service effortsCoordinates, promotes and markets claims, risk control and premium audit service plans to current and prospective customersMaintains current knowledge of corporate, regulatory and competitive changes in lines of business writtenServe as a source of knowledge within the companyAs a management representative, consistently acts in the best interest of BITCO and provides leadership and communication to actively promote BITCO's mission, values, and culturePerforms other duties as assignedQualifications:Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Insurance, Risk Management, or other Business related field preferred; or equivalent experiencePrior supervisory or management experienceMinimum of 5-7 years' experience in the following areas:Field Underwriting – Construction, Forest Products, Manufacturing, Oil & GasUnderwriting New & Renewal Business – Determine pricing and understand commercial lines policy forms and coveragesAnalyzing & Managing Exposures – Develop action plans to manage risks and changes during a policy periodAgency Management – Growth and development; prospecting; appointment; and maximization of opportunities and responsibilitiesExternal Sales – Cultivate new business while demonstrating retention of current customers through presentations to agencies and customersWork Environment & Physical Requirements:Must be legally authorized to work in the United StatesOffice environment; this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, as directed by managerFrequently sit at a desk or other work station for extended periods of timeOccasionally lift and carry equipment and/or materials weighing up to 15 poundsRoutinely bend, kneel, reach, see, be mobile and walk aroundMust be able to attend and perform job duties effectively both in-person and virtually, as required by managerTravel – overnight travel is required; must have a valid driver's licenseSalary: $125,000.00- $200,000.00, Commensurate with experienceBenefits:Competitive salary paired with a comprehensive benefits packageGenerous paid time off, plus 12 paid holidays annuallyComprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plansAdditional protection through accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insuranceCompany-paid life insurance equal to 2× annual salaryCompany-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage401(k) Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan through Old RepublicOngoing education, training, and professional development opportunitiesSupport for industry certifications and insurance designations, including financial assistanceFlexible scheduling with a two-hour window for start and end times within a 7.5-hour workdayOpportunities to give back through corporate philanthropy and community service initiativesOptional benefits including travel, commuter, and pet insuranceEmployee wellness support through a dedicated fitness program