What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Underwriting (Remote) position at MEM?
Are you a strategic underwriting leader with a passion for driving performance and shaping the future of insurance? MEM Insurance is seeking a Head of Underwriting to lead our underwriting function with a focus on risk selection, operational excellence, and sustainable growth. In this high-impact role, you’ll partner closely with senior leadership to define underwriting strategy, oversee portfolio performance, and build a future-ready team. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and are energized by innovation, data-driven decision-making, and talent development, we invite you to join our mission to protect and serve our customers with excellence.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
At MEM Insurance, we’re more than just a workplace—we’re a community. We live our values every day by putting people first, embracing innovation, and striving for excellence. Our culture is built on collaboration, integrity, and a shared commitment to protecting our customers and supporting our employees. We believe in empowering our team members to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact. Join us and be part of a company that values your expertise and invests in your future.
Total Rewards Overview:
We care deeply about our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and professional growth:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Define underwriting priorities and performance strategies aligned with MEM’s growth, customer value, and risk posture.
- Collaborate with leaders across Claims, Sales, Actuary, Strategy/Product, and more to integrate pricing, service, and risk management.
- Advise senior leadership on underwriting implications of market trends, regulatory shifts, and organizational initiatives.
- Lead underwriting-focused projects related to technology, process modernization, and workflow efficiency.
- Operational Execution & Governance
- Oversee execution of underwriting practices across teams, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and adherence to policy.
- Monitor portfolio performance, identify trends, and adjust strategies to optimize profitability.
- Review and approve risk decisions beyond delegated limits; manage escalation processes.
- Establish and monitor key performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.
- Refine underwriting guidelines to reflect current conditions and support forward-looking strategies.
- Financial Oversight
- Develop and manage the departmental operating budget, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Collaborate with Finance, Actuary, and Product teams to inform premium planning and margin management.
- Talent & Capability Development
- Lead and develop a team of underwriting managers and professionals, fostering a culture of accountability and growth.
- Champion talent development, succession planning, and capability building for future underwriting needs.
- Ensure availability of effective training, coaching, and learning resources.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
- Serve as the senior liaison for underwriting across internal stakeholders.
- Partner with Claims, Risk Control, and Sales to ensure coordinated servicing and retention of large or complex clients.
- Engage external stakeholders such as producers and brokers to support profitable business acquisition.
- Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Oversee underwriting quality audits and implement improvement initiatives.
- Maintain governance over delegated underwriting authority and ensure decision controls are in place.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Insurance, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- CPCU designation highly desired; AU or INS preferred.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- 10 years of experience in commercial insurance underwriting, with a focus on workers’ compensation.
- 5 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
At MEM Insurance, we’re more than just a workplace—we’re a community. We live our values every day by putting people first, embracing innovation, and striving for excellence. Our culture is built on collaboration, integrity, and a shared commitment to protecting our customers and supporting our employees. We believe in empowering our team members to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact. Join us and be part of a company that values your expertise and invests in your future.
Total Rewards Overview:
We care deeply about our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and professional growth:
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Includes fertility benefits and fully paid preventative care
- Dental coverage includes adult orthodontia and other uncommon treatments
- Fully Employer-Paid Life and Disability Benefits
- Life Insurance – three times base salary
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Short and Long-term Disability
- Wellness & Recognition Program
- Employer-paid incentives for employees and spouses
- Flexible Spending Account & Dependent Care Options
- Health Savings Account with generous employer contribution
- Time Away from Work
- Generous PTO accruals
- 11 Holidays and 4 Early releases
- 16 Hours of Volunteer Time Off
- 20 days of paid parental leave (in addition to STD)
- Marriage, Bereavement, and Jury Duty leave policies
- Employee Assistance Programs
- 401k Retirement Plan with employer match and profit sharing
- Adoption Assistance
- Tuition Assistance
