Managing Director, Middle Market Underwriting Center

$140,000 - $210,000/Yr

The Hartford - Walnut Creek, CA

Full-time - Senior

Hybrid - Walnut Creek, CA

10,001+ employees

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities

About the position

The Managing Director will play a pivotal role in leading the Middle Market Underwriting Center (MMUC) at The Hartford, reporting directly to the AVP of Alternative Distribution. This position is designed for a highly motivated individual who will drive sales, marketing, profit, growth, and quality of the Middle Market main street agent business. The Managing Director will be responsible for providing direct underwriting leadership, sales leadership, and agency management, ensuring the functional and regulatory integrity of the book of business while maintaining compliance with The Hartford's guidelines and policies. In this role, the Managing Director will engage with agencies in the territory, ensuring high visibility and strong relationships with a large aggregator and agency plant. The position requires co-traveling and coaching underwriters to ensure consistent practice of Sales Excellence discipline and to promote cross-selling across various units. The Managing Director will also be tasked with developing and implementing segment sales plans, gaining insights into competitors' strengths and weaknesses, and leading a nationwide agency relationship by connecting with key employees at all levels of the organization. The Managing Director will oversee underwriting execution, ensuring adherence to guidelines and direction in partnership with the referral team. This includes monitoring risk selection and pricing to ensure profitable financial returns, acting as a subject matter expert on coverage and pricing, and promoting the utilization of underwriting tools and services. Additionally, the Managing Director will inspire the team to achieve operating plan objectives through proper risk selection and management of quality analysis. People leadership and development are crucial aspects of this role. The Managing Director will attract, select, and develop high-caliber talent, ensuring staff continuity for key positions and managing performance actively. The role requires a deep understanding of the local market and competitors, as well as the ability to execute business plans and achieve results effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct underwriting leadership, sales leadership, and agency management for the Middle Market Underwriting Center (MMUC).
• Ensure functional and regulatory integrity of the book of business and compliance with The Hartford's guidelines and policies.
• Engage with agencies in the territory to maintain high visibility and strong relationships.
• Co-travel and coach underwriters to ensure consistent practice of Sales Excellence discipline and promote cross-selling.
• Develop and implement segment sales plans and gain insights into competitors' strengths and weaknesses.
• Lead a nationwide agency relationship, connecting with key employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ensure core underwriting execution in accordance with guidelines and direction in partnership with the referral team.
• Monitor risk selection and pricing to ensure profitable financial returns.
• Act as a subject matter expert on coverage, pricing, program structures, and services offered.
• Inspire the team to achieve operating plan objectives through proper risk selection and management of quality analysis.
• Attract, select, and develop high-caliber talent from within and outside the organization.
• Manage staff performance actively and implement a meaningful development process.

Requirements

• 8+ years of multi-line carrier underwriting experience in P&C Middle Market is required.
• 2+ years of experience managing middle market underwriters.
• Strong sales experience including articulating Hartford's value proposition and negotiation skills.
• Ability to speak in front of groups at all levels of an organization.
• Agency territorial management experience and strong relationships in the Western markets are a plus.
• Solid financial/business acumen and skills.
• Proven track record of setting goals and delivering results.
• Ability to embrace, develop, and execute change management.
• Demonstrated ability to execute business plans and achieve results.
• CPCU or CIC coursework preferred.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in agency territorial management in the Western Division.
• Strong relationships with key agents in the territory.

Benefits

• Hybrid work location model designed to support flexibility.
• Short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition.