Business & Underwriting Consultant

Payroll Alliances Center Business & Underwriting Consultant WHY JOIN THE HARTFORD? As a global leader in insurance, asset management and financial service products, we offer professionals every possibility for growth.  Whether we're helping customers or building careers, we're experts at creating the kind of advantages that help people reach their goals. The Payroll Alliances Center (PAC) is one of The Hartford’s fastest growing and most profitable business units.  Working in partnership with 15 of the nation’s largest payroll service providers, PAC wrote slightly more than $200 million in written premium in 2007.  Our unique business model consists mostly of workers compensation for small to mid-sized businesses, but PAC’s appetite has expanded to include all lines of business and an increased effort in larger accounts. PAC is looking to fill a Business Consultant (Tier 8) position to work with our new business teams due to consistent growth in sales, staff, and an ever increasing need to focus on new and unique sales avenues. WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION?  The Business Consultant is expected to drive overall underwriting execution through referral underwriting, training activities, special projects within the underwriting function, new and improved underwriting processes, and cascading of new information and protocols.  Key liaison with Service Operations, QAT and the new/renewal process owners. Complexity exists due to multiple lines of business across most states with varying issues, and multiple agreements and processes depending on submission source (paper/ electronic, program partners).  Direct financial impact on the small commercial book of business is expected. 1. Referral underwriting and mentoring for all lines of business. Effectively mentor staff through coaching, development and referral underwriting Work closely with Underwriting Referral Team, Operations and other staff to develop underwriting workflow protocol and expectations. Operating as an Underwriting Subject Matter Expert (SME), develop improved new business processes to minimize cost while maximizing profit. Effectively lead PAC communication on new processes including cascading of future changes. Develop and maintain positive relationships with customers and peers including underwriting staff and managers, QAT, Claims, Operations, IT, etc. working in partnership to develop and implement strategies. Business Consultant will develop a deep understanding of the partner relationship, their needs and capabilities, building and leveraging key relationships and resources to maximize opportunities2.  Underwriting Activities/ Projects Participate as (SME) team member and drive results in various underwriting projects in a potential wide range of areas. Specific examples of past activities include advancement and implementation of new or changed Underwriting guidelines. Identify opportunities and areas of underwriting execution improvement. Work closely with Quality Analysis and other partners to improve overall execution, enhance understanding of processes, and delivering clear expectations around every aspect of the underwriting decision-making process. WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience. 5+ years of multi-line, commercial underwriting experience. Additionally, prior supervisory experience is desirable. A consistent high level of performance over the career span History of progressively more responsible positions Must be strong, skilled underwriter with excellent business acumen and have experience with being able to analyze unique opportunities to help the business take on opportunities while balancing the risk and potential loss to the company. Understanding of the Small Commercial Marketplace Key Competencies:Excellent Technical skills – must have track record of exceptional underwriting experience preferably in the field organization, skilled at identifying issues that impact profitability and strong risk analysis experience. Is creative in using underwriting tools to help analyze and write profitable business. Overall Business Acumen – must have overall business acumen to see the bigger picture, short and long term outcomes, impact on various constituencies, and align recommendations with overall business goals. Stays current on issues that could impact work, including industry and market trends. Critical thinking and decision making – Able to make sound business decisions and recommendations, identifies the relevant issues, gathers and analyzes the needed information, applies sound reasoning and develops workable solutions. Prioritizes problems, focuses on critical issues and those that have largest impact. Makes decisions in a timely manner and shows good judgment. Leadership –Takes initiative, can-do attitude, provides leadership to team and peers to achieve the goals, initiates change, raises issues that need to be addressed, champions and lobbies for the necessary changes. Accepts accountability and strives for achievement. Builds and Maintains Effective Relationships-Seen as trustworthy, credible, flexible and dependable, builds and maintains strong relationships with co-workers and customers, builds a network of contacts to provide quick access to needed information and is a strong Team Player. Communication skills –Key competency both written and oral, listens carefully, asks good questions and quickly comprehends information, writes effective letters, memos, reports and demonstrates strong public speaking skills.WHAT IS THE COMPENSATION OPPORTUNITY?  At the Hartford, our compensation philosophy is simple: we pay competitive base salaries and reward performance. In addition, you will be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefits program including Medical, Dental, Life and Disability Insurance, a 401K Plan, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan and more.  An Equal Opportunity Employer"Committed to building inclusion and leveraging diversity."