Contract Surety - Assistant Vice President, Underwriting Specialty (Hybrid/Remote)

For more than 170 years, The Hanover has been committed to delivering on our promises and being there when it matters the most. We live our values every day, demonstrating we CARE through our values, ESG initiatives and IDE journey.

Our Contract Surety department is seeking a dynamic, strategic, sales-minded Assistant Vice President, Underwriting Specialty to join our team on the West Coast. 

At the Hanover we also understand that life and the workplace have changed so we are reimagining the workplace and provide flexible work arrangements to allow for greater work life balance. This role may be hybrid or fully remote****.  The ideal candidate may be based anywhere in the United States with required business travel as needed to support the West Coast.

The Hanover is a diverse and inclusive organization focused on hiring the best talent and we encourage all qualified professionals to apply.  We believe that an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace make us a better organization and creates a stronger community. 

We encourage all qualified Contract Surety Professionals to apply.

POSITION OVERVIEW:  This role resides within the Surety area of the Specialty division. It is a Senior level of field/regional management position. May lead a large territory or book of business and potentially across multiple states and/or regions. Leads and directly manages a team of both managers and individual contributors in the daily management and execution of strategic and business objectives. Leveraged as a resource in key initiatives that may span across the regions and or business lines. Proven leader who consistently demonstrates enterprise values and a high level of underwriting expertise partnering with leaders, underwriters, and corporate underwriting resources to ensure a consistent level of underwriting discipline, effective organizational management, and communication in driving the business.

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This is a full-time/exempt role.**

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:

• Able to think strategically as it relates to national and local strategy.
• Proven ability to successfully execute and drive business results across assigned territory to include developing the business plan.
• Manages operational complexities across multiple varied territories and physical locations.
• Fosters strong partnerships and has the ability to influence outcomes at various levels within the organization.
• Plays a key role partnering with Underwriting leadership, Specialty distribution and business partners.

Leadership & Coaching:

• Leads, directs and has full management accountability for staff in area of responsibility with an emphasis on talent management and succession planning in accordance with strategic direction.
• Manage a performance enhancement culture actively coaching and mentoring direct reports, providing regular feedback and developing employees for wider roles and responsibilities fostering professional growth and development.
• Delegates and effectively leads through others to achieve results.
• Cultivate high performing team managing resources and implementing changes to close gaps and ensure streamlined strategy execution.
• Influence team by modeling strong relationship building with key stakeholders to encouraging use of timely and effective communication.
• Effectively present information to influence organizational leaders and key stakeholders.

Technical Underwriting:

• Drives adherence to underwriting authority delegation, audit criteria and catastrophe or claim management for their assigned areas.
• Collaborates with business partners in Legal, Actuarial, Claim, Operations and Compliance to address governance and compliance issues related to underwriting practices.
• May take lead responsibility for driving the development of underwriting strategies and position papers for emerging issues affecting the local territory. May provide guidance and direction in the development of underwriting and training tools.
• Handles complex referrals and consultations from UAs and UWs within territory.
• Utilizes strong influencing skills to position territory or book agenda on high level risks in collaboration with the Underwriting and Business Unit Leaders to execute strategy and to write profitable business.

Portfolio & Sales Management:

• Develops strategic financial plans adjusting as needed in response to changing performance indicators. Understands the financial relationships, dependencies, trends, risks and potential returns.
• Collaborates with Senior Leaders on strategic planning, product development and overall direction of the territory or business.
• Achieves gross written premium, retention, and new business plans.
• Provides guidance and direction in the development of underwriting and training tools in partnership with corporate UW as appropriate.
• Evaluates underwriting performance based on financial analysis. Includes rate, operational, planning and product reviews.

WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY:

• Bachelor’s degree required; professional designations preferred.
• Surety - minimum of 10+ years of experience with Surety accounts and driving agency relationships resulting in profitable new and renewal business.
• Minimum of 5 years demonstrated success directly managing a team.
• Proven ability to manage, coach, delegate and leverage team resources to achieve business results both local and remote.
• Serve as a mentor and role model to other managers/leaders for change management and Inclusion and Diversity across the department.
• Effective problem solver, who anticipates issues, seeks out and analyzes information collaboratively to propose solutions. Takes ownership for a successful resolution.
• Excellent communication skills are essential; effective face-to-face interactions and presentations to groups, as well as strong phone skills, along with sound written communications, including impeccable follow through.
• An exceptional leader and influencer enterprise-wide across a highly matrixed organization.
• Able to work in an extremely fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. Highly intelligent with crisp communication skills.
• Strategic and insightful in their thinking, with good judgment and an intuitive sense of where to look for risks and opportunities both within the company and in the broader industry.
• Decisive, but open-minded.
• An innovative and entrepreneurial thinker who can network effectively and leverage insights gained from diverse internal and external resources.
• Able to trade-off the risks and rewards in a particular situation while also considering the big picture of company-wide impact, industry trends, and strategic implications.
• Someone with a proven track record of working hand in hand with key business leaders, rolling up their sleeves to get the job done.
• A collaborative, team player with strong results orientation and sense of urgency.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT:

It’s not just a job, it’s a career, and we are here to support you every step of the way. We want you to be successful and fulfilled. Through on-the-job experiences, personalized coaching and our robust learning and development programs, we encourage you – at every level – to grow and develop.

BENEFITS:

We offer comprehensive benefits to help you be healthy, build financial security, and balance work and home life. At The Hanover, you’ll enjoy what you do and have the support you need to succeed.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401K with a company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• PTO
• Company paid holidays
• Flexible work arrangements
• Cultural Awareness Day in support of IDE
• On-site medical/wellness center (Worcester only)
• Click here for the full list of Benefits

EEO statement:

The Hanover values diversity in the workplace and among our customers.  The company provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants on the basis of experience, training, education, and ability to do the available work without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, ancestry or any other status protected by law.  

Furthermore, The Hanover Insurance Group is committed to providing an equal opportunity workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment based on national origin, race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by law.” 

As an equal opportunity employer, Hanover does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities.  Individuals with disabilities who wish to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, should contact us at: [email protected] and include the link of the job posting in which you are interested.

Privacy Policy:

To view our privacy policy and online privacy statement, click here.  

Applicants who are California residents: To see the types of information we may collect from applicants and employees and how we use it, please click here**.
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