Underwriting Governance Specialist

This position is responsible for assisting the Underwriting Audit Manager in delivering the audit plan, following up on audit findings, and helping with associated underwriting controls activities across all classes of business for both CNA and Hardy. The role will additionally involve assisting with the management of the underwriting governance framework, particularly associated with underwriting authorities, breach analysis and exception reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• The key function is the delivery of the underwriting audit plan to ensure we maintain a robust approach to underwriting controls within appropriate timescales for the entire organization. This will involve strong communication and organizational skills in order to gain expert resource to support the underwriting audit function and closely liaise with the Business Unit Heads and the senior underwriting team.
• Comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements and ensure, at a level appropriate to the position, that appropriate measures are in place to ensure this compliance.
• Assist the Underwriting Audit Manager with development and expansion of the underwriting audit framework.
• Support in the underwriting audit process including the design of the audit pre-audit questionnaires, pre-audit information and summary templates.
• Communicate the underwriting audit results to the business, providing regular reports to the relevant Business Unit Heads and senior management.
• Monitor and manage actions arising from underwriting audits, ensuring completion in a timely manner and producing monthly reporting on the status of outstanding actions.
• Maintain and monitor underwriting policy watch lists and the underwriting breach log, assisting the Underwriting Audit Manager with remediation and follow-up actions.
• Identify trends and themes within the underwriting audit actions and provide reports to the Underwriting Audit Manager and relevant stakeholders.
• Manage controls associated with issuing all staff underwriting authorities, ensuring that all authorities are reviewed annually and that all new starts are processed appropriately.
• Support the Business Unit Heads in coaching new employees on CNA Hardy underwriting principles.
• Provide support in the development of underwriting systems to promote remote auditing.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Knowledge and experience of both Lloyd’s and/or the company markets.
• Solid communication and presentation skills with the ability to manage difficult conversations.
• Solid knowledge and experience of either a technical area, underwriting a commercial line of business, or a role in compliance or governance for a commercial insurer or syndicate.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills, able to identify, analyse and resolve issues.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite as well as other business-related software.
• Good report-authoring skills, as the role will involve drafting a number of reports to stakeholders.
• Ability to work in conjunction with a number of key departments, including Underwriting, Legal & Compliance, Risk and Internal Audit.
• Effective time management to ensure completion of the underwriting audit timetable set by the Underwriting Audit Manager.
• Willingness to travel.
• Language skills in any or all of the following: French, German, Italian, and Danish would be beneficial.

The Company

CNA Hardy is a leading specialist commercial insurance provider for clients within the Lloyd’s and company markets. We offer a highly specialised and comprehensive portfolio of innovative and market-leading products. Coverage is available to businesses of all sizes for domestic, international and global exposures.