AVP, Underwriting

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Underwriting leader to be head of our dynamic and growing core markets team. This senior leadership role requires a data-driven, forward-thinking leader who can provide strategic oversight, drive innovation, and focus on the development of our team. The ideal candidate will balance top and bottom-line objectives, ensuring our underwriting practices are both competitive and compliant while fostering a culture of excellence and growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision:

• Develop and articulate a clear, forward-looking underwriting strategy that aligns with our corporate goals. Work across our department and enterprise to ensure that underwriting strategy deepens the value chain and competitive edge that we offer to our customers.
• Foster a solution-oriented mindset within the core market Underwriting department, promoting innovation and continuous process and workflow management improvement.

Industry Leadership and Presence:

• Elevate National Life brand by actively participating in industry events, committees, advisory boards, and vendor meetings. Establish our organization as a Center of Excellence in underwriting, setting industry standards and driving thought leadership.

Field Engagement and Relationship Building:

• Collaborate with field and key distribution leaders to recruit and educate producers on our underwriting practices and target demographics. Cultivate strong relationships with field leadership and producers, integrating their feedback into the underwriting process and directly addressing complex issues when necessary.

Team Development and Leadership:

• Uses data insights and innovative tools to assess current staffing models and, based on projections, make recommendations on ways to support the growing business.
• Lead a high-performing underwriting team, focusing on hiring, development, succession planning, and career growth.
• Provide mentorship and strategic guidance on managing a diverse portfolio of cases, including large and complex cases.
• Inspire and motivate the team to achieve our business growth plans, while effectively managing the underwriting budget.

Innovation and Competitive Advantage:

• Champion innovative underwriting practices that enhance our competitive edge, focusing on improving quality, speed, and agent satisfaction.

Product Development and Enhancement:

• Influence product development by providing underwriting expertise and insights to ensure offerings meet market needs and remain competitive.