VP, Underwriting Operations Job Summary

The VP, Underwriting Operations will lead the Underwriting Operations function of James River Insurance Company and drive the operational effectiveness and efficiency of that unit by targeting areas for improvement, capitalizing on opportunities to increase productivity, and implementing new directives for departmental growth. This role focuses on operational effectiveness associated with the organizational transition to the Guidewire platform, with a goal of revamping underwriting operations to match those new functionalities the platform offers. This role requires a change agent who can champion the organizational shift to a more innovative culture, by supporting outside technology impacts as well as defining inter-group opportunities. The VP, Underwriting Operations will also be tasked with building and maintaining extended models with offshore personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Continuously exhibit and uphold Core Values of Integrity, Accountability, Communication and Teamwork, Innovation and Customer Service
• Prepare and maintain operational expense and salary budget for the department
• Oversee management of staff to include ensuring correct staffing levels and service standards are met, development and communication of department goals, setting of individual performance goals, talent and performance management and training
• Set department priorities related to key strategic initiatives, project deliverables, analysis and reporting, and problem resolution/enhancements
• Work with business leaders across the Company to develop, communicate, and enforce consistent workflow guidelines as well as build a culture of continuous process improvement
• Oversee all process improvement initiatives and develop long-term strategies to improve overall productivity of the department
• Review monthly performance metrics reports to ensure operational goals are consistently met
• Partner with Information Technology to support rapid program transformation of the organization's Guidewire platform and collaborate on opportunities for automation to improve efficiencies
• Canvas current working environment to apply contemporary/effective work processes
• Advocate for internal and external innovation capabilities

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience in insurance underwriting operations
• Successful ability to build positive partnerships and work collaboratively with cross-functional business teams such as Underwriting, Information Technology, Finance and other potentially impacted areas
• Demonstrated success with large scale transformation projects, including the development of business process models and six sigma efficiency frameworks
• Working knowledge of traditional and agile project management capabilities
• Experience with Guidewire's Policy and Billing Center technologies
• Ability to convey both technical and conceptual material in a clear and concise manner
• Demonstrated experience in the ability to attract, lead, motivate, influence, and mentor staff
• Excellent team building skills
• Ability to assess and measure productivity and workloads for each area of responsibility to ensure performance efficiency
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Ability to identify and make process and procedure improvement recommendations, including documentation and communication of changes through appropriate change management processes
• Strategic thinker with creative problem-solving skills, including the analysis of operational performance using data metrics
• Ability to build relationships and influence decisions
• Detail oriented and able to prioritize responsibilities
• High level of initiative and motivation
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Internet research

Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum 10 years' insurance industry experience required (underwriting focused with change management experience)
• Minimum seven years' management experience required
• Minimum two years' experience with Excess and Surplus lines preferred
• Minimum two to three years of Lean Six Sigma - Kaizen exposure preferred

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