Crum & Forster Company Overview

Crum & Forster (C&F), with a proud history dating to 1822, provides specialty and standard commercial lines insurance products through our admitted and surplus lines insurance companies. C&F enjoys a financial strength rating of "A+"(Superior) by AM Best and is proud of our superior customer service platform. Our claims and risk engineering services are recognized as among the best in the industry.

Our most valuable asset is our people: more than 2000 employees in locations throughout the United States. The company is increasingly winning recognition as a great place to work, earning several workplace and wellness awards, including the 2024 Great Place to Work® Award for our employee-first focus and our steadfast commitment to diversity, equity and Inclusion.

C&F is part of Fairfax Financial Holdings, a global, billion dollar organization. For more information about Crum & Forster, please visit our website: www.cfins.com.

Job Description

Since 2000, Crum & Forster’s Accident & Health division (A&H) has offered a diverse portfolio of specialty insurance and reinsurance products nationwide. We place a strong focus on product development and creative distribution methods, along with excellent client service and support.

In addition to our robust domestic portfolio, which spans both special risk and medical solutions, A&H works on an international basis through various partnerships. Our global capabilities provide our partners with even broader flexibility in underwriting solutions.

The qualities and capabilities of Crum & Forster Accident & Health demonstrate our philosophy of building meaningful, long-term partnerships and our dedication to providing alternative strategies in an ever-changing insurance market.

The A&H Specialty Business Unit takes a forward-thinking, flexible approach to solutions that span a robust slate of products tailored to needs in Special Risk, International Travel Medical, retail and wholesale Travel and Occupational Risk. At year-end 2024, the SBU recorded $982M in gross premium written.

About the Role, Line of Business, and Team:This senior-level position is part of the Accident & Health (A&H) Strategic Business Unit (SBU), specifically within the Special Risk team—a group focused on delivering tailored insurance solutions to a broad range of niche markets. The A&H Special Risk team manages a diverse and evolving portfolio of programs through partnerships with Managing General Underwriters (MGUs), Third Party Administrators (TPAs), and other key producers.

As an AVP, Underwriting Manager, you will play a critical leadership role in shaping the profitability, direction, and growth of the book. With a high degree of autonomy, you will be responsible for the strategic evaluation, selection, and management of complex risks, while serving as a key decision-maker on underwriting and program structure. You will lead high-level negotiations, provide oversight on reinsurance placements with Crum & Forster for other carriers, and offer guidance on technical underwriting matters across multiple specialty lines.

In addition to cultivating strong relationships with MGUs, producers, and internal stakeholders, you will help drive operational efficiency and innovation across the business. You will lead the onboarding of new MGA and TPA partners across multiple chassis and serve as a mentor and technical resource to junior team members. This role requires a forward-thinking, solution-oriented professional with deep market knowledge, proven underwriting acumen, and the ability to influence strategy and outcomes at both the account and portfolio levels.

What you will do:

Meet profitability, retention, and written premium goals determined by the department
Make independent decisions within underwriting letter of authority and maintain proper file documentation
Assist in developing annual business goals for assigned agents/producers
Responsible for analyzing results and maintaining accountability of agency partners within the department
Maintain awareness of market trends and identify emerging threats to the department
Has an in-depth knowledge of department products and services
Clearly articulate the department’s value proposition
May provide input into the development of strategic annual department planning activities
Perform Underwriting Audits
Lead, develop, motivate, and retain a high performing team or UW staff members. Proactively addresses concerns, holds team accountable, makes sound decisions, and sets clear direction
Attend any necessary due diligence review for new MGUs
Participates in training and initiatives
On boarding of new clients and/or new accounts
Manage the reinsurance relationships and

AVP, Underwriting Special Risk A&H at Crum & Forster