Underwriter/Senior Underwriter

Are you an experienced insurance underwriting professional looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career?

CIS is seeking an exceptional Underwriter III, Underwriter IV, or Underwriter V to join our Underwriting & Analytics team. This role offers the opportunity to apply your technical underwriting expertise, influence risk management strategies, collaborate with industry professionals, and help deliver innovative coverage solutions that protect Oregon's public entities and the communities they serve.

If you're energized by analyzing complex risks, exercising sound underwriting judgment, and partnering with stakeholders to develop practical solutions, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity.

Position Summary

The Underwriter III, Underwriter IV, or Underwriter V serves a critical role in evaluating and managing property and liability risks while supporting the organization's underwriting strategy and operational excellence.

This position applies increasingly advanced underwriting expertise based on level, evaluates complex submissions, provides technical guidance, reviews property valuation information, supports underwriting systems and data integrity, and partners with internal and external stakeholders to achieve successful risk management outcomes. Senior-level incumbents additionally contribute to underwriting program development, strategic initiatives, member engagement, and organizational leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Underwriting & Risk Analysis

• Analyze and evaluate complex property and liability risks.
• Apply underwriting judgment to determine appropriate coverage terms, limits, pricing, and conditions.
• Review non-standard or unusual exposures and develop recommendations.
• Communicate underwriting decisions and rationale to members, brokers, reinsurers, and internal stakeholders.
• Review and analyze coverage documents to determine how and if coverage applies.
• Evaluate prospective members for program eligibility consistent with CIS policies and governing documents.

Property & Exposure Management

• Manage and oversee the property appraisal process.
• Review valuation methodologies, schedules, and appraisal data for reasonableness and accuracy.
• Identify discrepancies, trends, and emerging risk concerns.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as a subject matter expert for underwriting systems and data.
• Provide guidance to underwriting staff regarding complex submissions and guideline interpretation.
• Support consistency and quality across underwriting operations.
• Mentor and support less experienced underwriting staff as appropriate to position level.

Strategic Contributions

• Assist with development of underwriting guidelines, program enhancements, and rating methodologies.
• Partner with internal teams to improve workflows, systems, reporting, and operational effectiveness.
• Participate in industry conferences, member meetings, and professional development opportunities.
• Recommend changes to underwriting programs, rating plans, policies, procedures, coverages, and partnerships to meet evolving member needs.
• Monitor underwriting marketplace and regulatory developments and recommend enhancements to CIS programs and services.
• Collaborate with reinsurers, actuaries, auditors, loss data analysts, risk management professionals, and legal partners.
• Provide underwriting data, analysis, and reports to internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent CIS through presentations, member meetings, conferences, and industry events.

Qualifications

Underwriter III

We're looking for strong underwriting professionals who bring:

Required

• 5-6 years of commercial insurance underwriting experience, public entity underwriting experience, or closely related insurance experience.


• Demonstrated ability to evaluate risk and make sound underwriting decisions.
• Strong knowledge of property and liability underwriting principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Underwriter IV

For candidates seeking placement at the Underwriter IV level:

Required

• 7-8+ years of progressively responsible underwriting experience.


• Advanced technical underwriting expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to handle highly complex risk situations and provide technical guidance to others.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

At least ONE of the following professional qualifications:

• Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
• Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
• Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU/AIU) or similar designation
• Property & Casualty Insurance License

Underwriter V

For candidates seeking placement at the Underwriter V level:

Required

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in commercial insurance underwriting, public entity pooling, risk management, or a related field.


• Expert knowledge of property and liability underwriting principles and coverage analysis.
• Proven ability to independently handle highly complex underwriting situations and develop practical risk management solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to recommend enhancements to underwriting programs, coverages, rating methodologies, policies, and procedures.
• Strong relationship management and communication skills, including the ability to effectively work with members, brokers, agents, reinsurers, auditors, actuaries, and executive stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in insurance administration, business management, or a related field.

At least ONE of the following professional qualifications:

• Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
• Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
• Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU/AIU) or similar designation
• Property & Casualty Insurance License

Position Level:

The successful candidate may be hired at the Underwriter III, Underwriter IV, or Underwriter V level based on experience, credentials, demonstrated expertise, and organizational needs.

• Underwriter III: Typically requires 5–6 years of related underwriting experience.


• Underwriter IV: Typically requires 7–8+ years of related underwriting experience and at least one listed professional credential.


• Underwriter V: Typically requires 10+ years of progressively responsible underwriting experience, advanced technical expertise, demonstrated success managing highly complex risks, and the ability to contribute to underwriting program strategy and organizational initiatives.