At Argo Group, you can be part of an organization where we are small enough to be agile and big enough to make a difference. You can make a direct impact while working in a high-performing, innovative and inclusive team.
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: ARGO) is a global multiline underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty market. We help power the businesses that drive the world economy, offering a comprehensive line of high-quality products and services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims-handling needs of our clients. We foster an inclusive culture that embraces diversity and design thinking, relies on innovation and agility, promotes collaborative service delivery, frequent, integrated communication, and authentic recognition of excellence. View the latest Investor Presentation to learn more about Argo.
Argo Group, through its operating subsidiaries, offers high-quality Commercial Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance products and services tailored to the needs of businesses and public entities. Our experienced underwriting team is dedicated to providing effective solutions for all types of companies. We hire the best people, so we can deliver the best solutions.
We are looking for a highly capable AVP of Private Underwriting Manager to join the Argo Pro team reporting to the VP, Private Leader/ This role will be responsible for driving profitable growth in assigned territory with current and new trading partners. Collaborate with the executive team to develop strategic and tactical initiatives to reach the organization’s goals. The role can be based remotely, preferably in Philadelphia, PA, New York, NY, Maryland, D.C or Virginia.
The primary duties and responsibilities of the role are:
- Identify and support profitable new business and product opportunities.
- Participate in the acquisition process and assist with integration.
- Identify strategic agencies and facilitate effective partnerships with underwriting and marketing.
- Assist with process implementation and underwriting strategies for the business units, including R & D and coordination of shared services.
- Identify program opportunities and coordinate underwriting resources to accomplish.
- Contribute to product and platform expansion.
- Establish and communicate production and profit related goals including new business development, distribution platform management, target loss ratios, policy count, hit ratios, renewal retention as it relates to new product/program launch, etc.
- Provide leadership, mentoring and advice to division staff regarding underwriting risks.
- Assist as requested to proactively develop strategies and actions to resolve adverse trends or deviations from established underwriting standards identified through producer and account review audits.
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with distribution community at a senior level. Adds tangible value to the composition of our current distribution platform.
- Participate in the recruitment and selection process to ensure the organization has the necessary talent to accomplish business goals.
- Assists as requested to analyze profit and loss statements to make appropriate business decisions.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships within and outside Argo Group to develop and drive new business opportunities.
- Take a lead role in promoting other Argo pro and AGII products.
- Promote an environment that encourages self-motivation, teamwork and collaboration.
- As necessary, work with reinsurers and reinsurance intermediaries.
- Act as a role model demonstrating belief in, and commitment to, the aspiration values of the Argo Group continuing to build and lead a value-based organization committed to long-term success.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred and minimum of 15 years underwriting experience.
- Minimum 10 years management experience.
- Demonstrates knowledge of the E&S external market, producer community, competitive environment and contributes to the development of business strategy.
- Superior oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence decisions.
- Ability to influence, motivates, and promotes a team atmosphere to achieve desired results.
- Recognized as a leader within the organization that provides advice and guidance to others.
- Ability to read, understand and interpret company financial and actuarial reports to achieve business goals.
- Strong ability to partner with claims, finance, actuarial, IT and marketing resources.
- Independent decision maker – takes full responsibility for making decisions and consequences associated with decisions.
- Demonstrate significant contribution to underwriting profit.
- Continually seeks opportunities for niche products and potential agent opportunities.
- Experience in delivering presentations to internal and external audiences.
- Requires demonstrated experience in developing and implementing an annual department business plan
- Proven employee development, mentoring, coaching and performance management skills.
- Recognized as a leader within the organization that provides advice and guidance to others.
- Ability to travel as needed, and with short notice.
- Proficient in the use of computer programs, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin or citizenship (including language use restrictions), denial of family and medical care leave, disability (mental and physical) , including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), race, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, child birth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other status protected by laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
PLEASE NOTE: At this time, Argo Group will not sponsor an applicant for employment authorization for this position.
If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Argo Group, please contact our Benefits Department at 210-321-8400.
To all recruitment agencies: Unless you have been requested to work on this position, or other positions with Argo Group, please do not forward any resumes to Argo Group employees. Argo Group is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
How We Work - Our Employee Values
Employees at Argo thrive together as a responsible, profitable specialty insurer where all stakeholders share in our success.
We are committed to:
- The entrepreneurial spirit
- Doing the right thing
- Collaborating
- Respecting each other
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin or citizenship (including language use restrictions), denial of family and medical care leave, disability (mental and physical) , including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), race, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, child birth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other status protected by laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
Our Benefits
Developing our employees professionally and personally strengthens our organization.
Argo Group offers an attractive Total Rewards package that includes:
- A culture that recognizes performance and empowers employees to excel, offering competitive compensation and merit driven profit sharing.
- Flexible workplace policies that support employee well-being include compressed hours, flex-time, job-sharing, remote work, sabbatical leave, holiday and summer hours.
- Comprehensive health, wellness, and financial planning options that employees can tailor to meet their personal and family needs. In addition to traditional health and wellness plans, benefits include retirement savings, matching 401K, generous paid time off (PTO), paid caregiver and parental leave, employee assistance program (EAP), an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) offering a 15% discount, and an array of voluntary benefits.
- Argo Academy, a digital and instructor-led platform that offers continuous learning and professional development – Training magazine lists Argo among the Training "Top 125" Companies. Argo encourages career mobility and continuing education to pursue and maintain professional and industry designations, in addition to traditional university and higher education programs.
- An inclusive culture that develops and sponsors diverse teams, encourages cross-functional engagement and collaboration, builds community through employee resource groups (ERGs), and provides an environment that welcomes ongoing dialogue, creative innovation, professional and personal development.
- Active community outreach and volunteer programs in addition to matching charitable gifts by 150%.
- A generous Employee Referral program that has resulted in 25% of all new hires this year.
