Commercial Lines Underwriting Quality Specialist in Oriskany, New York at Utica First Insurance Company

Utica First Insurance Company is currently seeking a Commercial Lines Underwriting Quality Specialist to join our team. This opportunity is available due to the upcoming retirement of a valued team member. The position offers a unique opportunity to build upon a well-established foundation while contributing to the continued success of our organization.

Job Summary

The Commercial Lines Underwriting Quality Specialist is responsible for ensuring underwriting accuracy, consistency, and adherence to company guidelines through comprehensive quality reviews. This role performs detailed underwriting file reviews, identifies trends and improvement opportunities, and supports underwriting excellence through clear feedback and documentation. The position serves as a subject matter expert on underwriting standards and quality expectations, without formal management responsibility.

Reports To: Vice President of Underwriting

Duties/Responsibilities

• Commercial Lines Underwriting Quality Review
• Conduct routine and ad hoc reviews of underwriting files to ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines, risk appetite, regulatory requirements, and internal standards
• Evaluate underwriting decisions for accuracy, completeness, documentation quality, and guideline adherence
• Document review findings clearly and objectively, identifying strengths, deficiencies, and recurring trends
• Provide clear, actionable feedback to underwriters to support consistency and quality improvements
• Track, analyze, and report quality metrics and trends to support risk and performance oversight
• Support internal audits, quality assurance initiatives, and regulatory or compliance reviews as needed
• Standards, Documentation & Improvement
• Serve as a subject-matter resource for underwriting guidelines, standards, and best practices
• Identify opportunities for guideline clarification, process enhancements, or control improvements
• Partner with underwriting leadership, compliance, and operations teams to address quality gaps and risk trends
• Assist with development, revision, and maintenance of underwriting standards, procedures, and reference documentation
• Ensure underwriting quality practices align with business goals and regulatory expectations
• Perform other duties as requested.

Skills/Abilities

• Experience in quality assurance, audit, or compliance-focused underwriting role
• Professional designations such as CPCU, AU, or similar (or progress toward)
• Experience with underwriting systems, QA platforms, or reporting tools
• Familiarity with quality metrics, trend analysis, and continuous improvement efforts

Core Competencies

• Sound Commercial Lines Underwriting judgment
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Collaboration and influence without authority
• Organization and time-management skills
• Integrity and objectivity in quality assessments

Work Conditions

• Office-based and/or hybrid depending on business needs
• May involve review of time-sensitive or high-volume underwriting activity

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• 5 - 7 years Commercial Lines Underwriting experience in the applicable line(s) of business
• Strong knowledge of underwriting guidelines, risk assessment, and regulatory requirements
• Experience conducting underwriting file reviews, audits, or quality assessments
• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to provide clear, professional, and objective feedback

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer, both in a home and office environment. The role involves frequent use of a headset, keyboard, mouse, and other standard office equipment. Occasional movement within the office may be required, such as walking to meetings or accessing shared equipment.

Pay Range

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of Utica First’s total compensation package for employees.