• Manages assigned Specialty underwriting team and enforces the Specialty Unit guidelines and procedures • Demonstrates extensive expertise in territorial underwriting nuances, encompassing a thorough understanding of legal frameworks, regulatory landscapes, and region-specific challenges • Proactively assesses the impact of evolving legislation and market dynamics to ensure strategic and compliant decision-making within diverse territorial contexts • Models smart and effective underwriting practices for individual accounts, all lines of business, and different classes within the Specialty Unit • Implements strategies to address challenges to profit and drive that message throughout the underwriting unit • Monitors progress of underwriters’ assigned agents and guides underwriters and agents in achieving annual goals while driving them to match price to quality across the book of business • Seeks feedback from agents and takes action to improve their experience and grow profitable books of business • Engages with regional offices and collaborates with assigned underwriters to oversee existing agency relationships while cultivating new partnerships that drive profitability and restore underperforming or low-growth relationships • Conducts meetings and educational sessions with agents to enhance their understanding of EMC products, underwriting criteria, systems, and services, fostering the generation of high-quality new business opportunities • Partners with sales and marketing to deliver exceptional customer experiences, enhance underwriting responsiveness, and position EMC as the preferred insurer • Oversees and monitors the workload and performance of assigned underwriting team • Develops team expertise and works with UW leadership in succession planning, including identifying talent and implementing development plans for critical positions • Collaborates with team members to establish performance goals and monitors status • Conducts reviews and provides coaching • Interviews, hires, and recommends salary adjustments for team members • Identifies training needs and works with UW & Program leadership to provide training for team and encourages continuing education and ongoing quality improvement • Supports diversity and inclusion initiatives • Fosters an innovative culture, including supporting new ideas and providing guidance on potential changes • In collaboration with Business Unit, Regional Middle Market leadership, and Finance leadership, develops, monitors, and maintains the budget for assigned region • Establishes and oversees budgetary goals and controls, ensuring underwriting strategies align with business objectives • Analyzes past financial data to predict future expenses and identifies areas for cost reduction • Monitors team to ensure that underwriters operate within set guidelines, authority limits, rate goals, and branch service directives while matching price to quality across the book of business • Performs audits on new business and renewals for compliance and quality.