AVP, Senior Underwriter, Environmental

AVP, Senior Underwriter, Environmental

Houston, TX - Hybrid

Since Aspen was founded in 2002, we have become a leading, diversified specialty insurance and reinsurance company. We respond thoughtfully and creatively to find the best outcomes for our clients and business partners through carefully-tailored solutions.

We believe the way we work is just as important as the work we do, and we are guided by our core values of respect, honesty, trust and professionalism.

Aspen is a great place to develop your career offering an exciting and challenging environment where achievement is rewarded.

The Role

To appropriately underwrite high value and complex risks in accordance with the business plan and within delegated underwriting authority.

“Our Aspen Values are expected to be reflected in the delivery and performance of every role.”

Key Accountabilities

Contributes to functional strategy development and prioritises the operational deliverables and activities of team to support delivery of overall business targets.

Manages tactical plan and provides support to others to achieve positive results for the business in line with strategy.

Monitors and manages underwriting service performance to ensure control of, and reliable prediction of underwriting cost and frequency.

Develops and implements processes to ensure that the underwriting function is aligned to the needs of the class of business and works closely with underwriters and other business functions.

Maintains underwriting quality assurance systems to ensure effective control and delivery of robust underwriting processes.

Adheres to underwriting standards, instructions and good practice to minimise risk and maximise efficiency.

Ensures the recording and measurement of insurance risks, including DUA’s where relevant, to ensure accuracy and good practice.

Understands and complies with any reinsurance requirements to minimise risk and to deliver business plan objectives.

Works with key stakeholders/business managers to develop sustainable underwriting products and services to attract and retain customers and increase profitability.

Establishes and strengthens strong relationships with stakeholders including customers, brokers, business partners and colleagues, to maximise influence, support their needs and achieve business objectives.

Demonstrates understanding and awareness of market dynamics and market cycle to drive and enhance business performance.

Performs complex underwriting activities in accordance with all legal and regulatory requirements to ensure obligations are met.

Acts as a technical expert to support the identification of issues and opportunities within area of expertise.

Produces reports on existing and new underwriting issues and any ad-hoc reports to provide accurate management information.

Identifies and evaluates potential improvements to maximise the use of technology.

Manages and supports specific operational team(s) within own function / department or specialism to ensure that people, resources and processes are aligned with business needs and fit for purpose.

Manage, resource, motivate, develop and focus the team(s) to ensure the required standards of performance and support the continuing personal and professional development of all team members.

Manage appointment, dismissal, performance management and reward of the team(s) to effectively manage resources within the function.

Establish clear accountabilities and authority levels for direct reports and build a strong culture of accountability and performance in order to ensure delivery of goals.

Skills & Experience

In depth experience of working in an underwriting environment within a specialised/complex underwriting area.

Specific professional qualifications at degree level or equivalent.

Qualified within own professional discipline, with significant post-qualification work experience within related environments and specialist function.

Associate of Chartered Insurance Institute (or equivalent).

Experience of successfully supporting technical and operational strategy.

Experience of managing underwriting teams/resources.

Experienced in the use of risk profiling and pricing tools and loss models.

Strong established customer/broker relationships.

Strong level of numeracy and literacy skills.

Able to manage conflicting priorities to achieve deadlines.

Able to plan effectively and efficiently.

Strong customer orientation skills.

Ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment.

Strong analytical skills.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Strong negotiating skills.

Ability to analyse data and use for decision-making.

Strong attention to detail.

People management – ability to engage and lead a team.

Proficient in relevant software, including MS Office applications e.g. Excel as well as other departmental software packages.

Able to work independently.

Project management.

Change management.

Resource and budget management.

At Aspen we know that having a diverse and inclusive workforce is good for our people, good for our business and good for the environments in which we operate. We therefore welcome applications from people which allows us to draw on diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences.