POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Underwriting manages senior-level underwriting staff and is responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the day-to-day functions in underwriting. The Director also establishes policies and standards, provides guidance and support for staff development, and makes recommendations for underwriting and operational improvements.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage and oversee the company’s Underwriting function.
- Act as key decision maker for all underwriting-related matters.
- Provide guidance and leadership to the Underwriting management team.
- Manage hiring, training, counseling, termination, and performance appraisals of underwriting personnel.
- Manage the development and implementation of new procedures and features to enhance the department's workflow.
- Monitor the aging and prioritization of the underwriting workload to maintain agreed-upon service levels.
- Maintain the underwriting audit schedule and coordinate with teams for their review and completion.
- Regularly complete analyses of staffing required to process underwriting workload and maintain proper service levels.
- Manage inspection vendor performance and relationships.
- Coordinate with the Product team to integrate changes in policies, coverage, or other underwriting rules.
- Review claims referrals for coverage issues and substandard conditions.
- Ensure underwriting decisions are compliant with the Association’s Plan of Operations and underwriting rules.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Product & Underwriting.
- Adhere to federal and state laws and regulations.
- Oversee the general operations for Underwriting to maintain adherence to all standards and processes.
- Plan, organize, and control the general workflow of the underwriting teams.
- Assist in annual budget preparation and analysis.
- Develop, review, and adjust the annual department plan on a quarterly basis to ensure alignment with current objectives and ongoing needs.
- Collaborate with management on interdepartmental issues to ensure operational efficiency.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- College degree preferred.
- 10+ years of insurance underwriting or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of experience managing underwriting personnel.
- Cross-functional insurance experience preferred.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated project experience.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Proven decision-making skills with minimal direction.
What We Do
The California FAIR Plan is a private association comprised of all insurers authorized to write property insurance in California. The FAIR Plan was established in July 1968 following the 1960s brush fires and riots as the state’s insurer of last resort, created to ensure access to basic property insurance for California homeowners who have been unable to obtain homeowners insurance from the voluntary market for reasons outside of their control. The FAIR Plan will write fire insurance coverage for these homeowners, regardless of a property’s wildfire risk.
The FAIR Plan is committed to strengthening consumer choices in the voluntary insurance market, while ensuring that all homeowners, including those who live in areas threatened by wildfires, can obtain basic property coverage and the peace of mind they deserve
