Underwriting Practice Leader-Construction

Sentry is seeking a motivated individual to join our Corporate Underwriting & Product Development team as an Underwriting Practice Leader-Construction focusing on the commercial insurance lines supporting the construction industry.

In this position, you will be responsible for managing top and bottom-line performance, providing technical guidance, and improving underwriting results across all business units to assist in the achievement of planned growth and profitability objectives within the market segment. You will develop and maintain technical underwriting guidelines and sophisticated pricing tools that can be applied to small, middle market and large/national account customers. While this is a multiline position, there will be a strong focus on the general liability and excess / umbrella lines coverage. You will also participate in file referrals, along with evaluating and developing new and emerging products.

This position will be located at our Home Office location in Stevens Point, WI.

What You'll Do

As the Underwriting Practice Leader-Construction, you will be responsible for managing the construction sector within commercial lines.  In this position, you will:

• Utilize your expertise to handle all issues relating to assigned industry segment including growth, underwriting, profitability and product development collaboration.  As subject matter expert, consult, train, develop and increase underwriting skills across the company.

• Lead the review of states to analyze profitability of Sentry and our peers.  Analyze emerging issues, including legislative, regulatory, coverage and product.  Advise underwriting of potential problem areas and works on strategies to either mitigate or take advantage of the changing environments.

• Develop underwriting guidelines and monitor performance in areas such as construction defect and contractual liability.

• Ensure adherence to company underwriting guidelines through file reviews and provide information regarding underwriting best practices and process recommendations to underwriters and managers. Stay abreast of changing underwriting guidelines and regulations. 

• Lead underwriting and book reviews to assess processes and understand quality of underwriting within specified line of business for all business units.  Consult with information technology and business units to develop automated underwriting and processing models that produce efficient and cost-effective systems that result in consistent underwriting standards.  Recommend and implement effective corrective actions to achieve profitable growth.

• Partner with the safety services team to evaluate and collect all appropriate underwriting information.  Ensure that the data is adequate and accurate for the risk insured to understand all operations, exposures and controls.

• Collaborate with underwriters, sales, claims, legal and safety services to research, review and evaluate market trends, new product ideas, enhancements to existing products or strategic product extensions and turning ideas into marketable products that contribute to the effectiveness of market initiatives and help achieve profitability objectives. 

• Act as an expert for and evaluate all underwriting tools, such as predictive and pricing models, in support of the specified industry segment to ensure the company is capturing and utilizing data appropriately.

• Determine the proper usage, placement and certificate setup for facultative and treaty reinsurance to limit Sentry’s exposure and provide consistency across all business units.

• Participate in quality control audits and market conduct exams involving underwriting.  Monitor the underwriting functions to ensure compliance with corporate policies and practices. Prepare findings and create training materials to assist in the development of the claim, sales, safety services and underwriting staff.

Perform other job-related duties requiring the same general knowledge, skills and degree of responsibility commensurate with assigned level.

What It Takes

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience.

• 8 or more years of related work experience.

• 5 or more years of experience underwriting large complex accounts within all major classes of specified line of business or industry segment.

• Thorough knowledge and experience in developing forms and ratings tools for both ISO and non-ISO coverage and rates.

• Effective analytical, human relations and communication skills. 

• Completion or in the process of taking Insurance courses such as IIA and CPCU preferred.

• Comprehensive knowledge of reinsurance and bond insurance. 

• Strong attention to detail and critical thinking skills.

• Knowledge of Sentry’s insurance products, distribution systems, markets and products beneficial.

What You'll Receive

We take great pride in making Forbes’ list of America’s Best Midsize Employers since 2017. A lot of different factors go into that honor, many of which contribute to your job satisfaction. At Sentry, your total rewards go beyond competitive compensation. Below are some benefits and perks that you’ll receive.

• To best support our associates and our culture, Sentry is happy to offer flexibility through a scheduled work from home (Monday and Friday)/in office days (Tuesday through Thursday) after we begin to return to the office.

• Generous Paid-Time Off plan for you to enjoy time out of the office.

• 401(K) plan with a dollar for dollar match on your first eight percent, plus immediate vesting to help strengthen your financial future.

• Group Medical, Dental, Vision and Life insurance to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

• Pretax Dependent Care and Health Expense Reimbursement Accounts to ease taxes on health spending.

• Extensive Work-Life Resources to lend a helping hand.

• Sentry Foundation gift matching program to encourage charitable giving.

• Continue your education and career development through Sentry University (SentryU).

How You’ll Apply

If you are interested in joining Sentry’s team, select the one position that you are most interested in being considered for and complete your online application details. If you have applied with us before, you will only need to provide your email address and password. If this is your first time applying, you’ll need to create an account. Please complete your application and upload your resume online.

About Sentry

All of us at Sentry—more than 4,000 associates—have various talents, skills, and backgrounds. We work together to deliver on our promises to our policyholders every day. We’re proud to offer a full line of property, casualty, and life insurance products to help protect businesses, cars, homes, lives, and retirement income.

Our headquarters is in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, with claims and service offices located throughout the United States. From sales to claims, and information technology to marketing, we enjoy a rewarding and challenging work environment with opportunities for ongoing professional development and growth.

Our bright future is built on a long track record of success. We got our start in 1904 and have been helping businesses succeed and protect their futures ever since. Because of the trust placed in us, we’re one of the largest and financially strongest mutual insurance companies in the United States. We’re rated A+ by A.M. Best, the industry's leading rating authority. Get ready to own your future at Sentry. Opportunities await.

Thank you for your interest in Sentry!

Casey Van Der Geest

Equal Employment Opportunity

Sentry is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy that there be no discrimination in employment based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, or sexual orientation.