What are the responsibilities and job description for the Commercial Lines Product Manager position at Penn National Insurance?
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Commercial Lines Product Manager to oversee the performance, profitability, and development of our Commercial Property line of business. This role is responsible for setting product direction, supporting growth initiatives, and ensuring alignment with corporate objectives. In addition to Property, this role also includes oversight of our Cyber Liability and Employment Practices Liability products, which are structured as automatic roll-on programs.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in evaluating market trends, guiding rate adequacy and product positioning, and providing technical leadership to underwriting teams. This position also involves collaboration with cross-functional partners in Actuarial, Analytics, Compliance, and Underwriting Operations to drive product enhancements, maintain regulatory compliance, and ensure underwriting excellence.
A minimum of 10 years of commercial lines underwriting experience is required, along with strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of commercial rate-making, product strategy, and market segmentation, and be capable of leading initiatives that support both profitability and sustainable growth.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Achieves profitability in the assigned line(s) of business, as measured through various metrics including net combined ratio, direct and net loss ratios, loss frequency and severity, expense ratio, and dividend ratio.
- Supports the CL Division in achieving production goals, including premium growth and diversification across geographic regions and classes of business.
- Evaluates, manages, and formulates product price position that supports both profitability and growth objectives.
- Maintains compliance within the product line, proactively supports product development and revisions, and ensures that product structures align with company methodologies and processing systems.
- Monitors industry developments and trends related to assigned line(s) of business, including active participation in trade organization meetings, seminars, and other industry events.
- Provides technical and referral support to branch underwriting personnel for assigned line(s) of business.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participates in the team that conducts periodic, qualitative field audits to verify compliance with established line of business guidelines; and where variances are identified, makes recommendations for corrective action to restore compliance and/or augment technical competency levels.
- Offers platform and technology consultation to ensure effective execution of product line strategies.
- Understands differences between small business and middle market segments and responds accordingly.
- Develops and administers training programs in collaboration with the branch offices to ensure technical proficiency of branch underwriting personnel.
- Performs other duties as may be assigned by the Vice President, Commercial Lines.
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS
- Interacts regularly with all levels of underwriting personnel in commercial lines, and cross-functionally (Underwriting Operations, Actuarial, Underwriting Offices, Advanced Analytics) as required by ongoing activities.
- Interact regularly with reinsurers, insurance departments, boards and bureaus.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Credentials
- Bachelor’s Degree required
- Continuing education in insurance related courses (CPCU, CIC, etc.) preferred
Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of commercial lines underwriting experience
Technical/Professional Knowledge
- Strong analytical skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate information of a highly technical nature
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Good project management skills
- Strong organizational and planning skills
- Thorough knowledge of commercial lines underwriting
- Demonstrated knowledge of commercial rate-making process
- Basic knowledge of commercial lines processing systems
- Good personal computer skills, with an emphasis on Microsoft Office Suite
- Basic training skills
- Good math aptitude
- Must be able to work independently
- Excellent problem-solving skills
JOB REQUIREMENTS (as required by ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act)
- This position is primarily a sedentary position that requires occasional standing and walking throughout the office environment.
- Must be able to see and effectively use a computer monitor.
- Must be able to operate a computer, keyboard and applicable printers and other general office equipment.
- Must be able to access and enter information accurately using automated systems.
- Must be able to hear and communicate via the telephone and/or monitoring devices to both internal and external clients.
- Must be able to present information to individuals and groups.
- Must be able to interpret and apply concepts that may or may not be based upon established guidelines.
- Must be able to maintain acceptable attendance and adhere to scheduled work hours.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
- Must be able to travel, with overnight stays required.
Why Choose Penn National Insurance?
At Penn National Insurance, we’re on a mission to help people feel secure and make life better when bad things happen . For over 106 years , we’ve been a trusted partner to individuals, families and businesses because we are a mutual insurance company where service and support for our policyholders are at the heart of everything we do.
We’re not just a company—we’re a community united by our core mission to “Make Life Better.” Here, you’ll find a place where your professional growth, success and personal well-being are our top priorities.
Your Career Journey: Empowering Your Growth
Your career should be more than just a job—it should empower you to feel secure, supported and inspired. At Penn National Insurance, we invest in your growth and celebrate your contributions with a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package. We’re committed to supporting your journey and helping you thrive at every stage of your career. Key highlights include:
- Benefits and Compensation : Generous 401(k) match, graded profit sharing, incentive compensation, and a wide range of benefits to support your financial health, physical well-being and career development.
- Flexibility : We offer remote and hybrid work options, flexible scheduling and a “dress-for-your-day” culture.
- Recognition : We celebrate your achievements, big and small, through employee recognition programs designed to honor your contributions.
Your Employer of Choice: A Legacy of Trust and Strength
Joining Penn National Insurance means becoming part of a company with over a century of experience , built on trust, innovation and strong relationships. From our beginnings as a mutual insurance company founded by farmers to our 100th anniversary in 2019, we've stayed true to our relationship-driven model, focusing on direct service and meaningful support.
Your Community: Making an Impact Together
Making life better isn’t just our mission—it’s a value that guides everything we do. Our employees are at the heart of this mission, giving back through community engagement and charitable efforts. We proudly support our community through financial support and employee volunteering opportunities including our annual United Way campaign, where employee contributions and company matches make a significant impact each year.
Your Future: Building a Rewarding Career Path
We’re not just offering a job; we’re providing a fulfilling and rewarding career. We support your growth with a range of resources designed to help you build your skills and achieve your goals, including:
- Continuing Education Support : Access to programs that help you enhance your knowledge, skills and educational goals along with 100% tuition reimbursement for academic studies.
- Professional Development Opportunities : Tailored designation programs to help you advance in your career such as CPCU, AINS, CPA, CISSP, and more.
- Long-Term Career Focus : With an average employee tenure of 14 years and many team members serving for over 40 years, we take pride in fostering a work environment that values long-term growth and development.
When you join us, you’re not just starting a job—you’re becoming part of a team that values your growth and invests in your future. Our commitment to long-term retention and employee development ensures that you will be part of a tradition and legacy of excellence that spans decades.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, creed, affectional and sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law . Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and EEOC guidance, it is the policy of Pennsylvania National Insurance to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to a HR Business Partner via telephone at 800-368-4764, or through email, HRBusinessPartner@pnat.com .