The posting
Old Republic Bitco is seeking a Vice President, Underwriting – Regional Manager to join our West Coast Region and Regional office located in Pasadena, CA. As a respected specialty insurer with 11 branch offices across 10 states, OR Bitco delivers tailored insurance solutions to complex industries such as construction, forest products, and oil and gas. This position is open to a hybrid work arrangement, blending flexibility with meaningful in person collaboration.
At OR Bitco, our work is guided by core values. We care deeply about our people, partners, and customers. We are committed to excellence and accountability. We deliver on our promises with integrity and precision, and we strive to make a meaningful impact in everything we do. These values drive our mission to protect the people and industries that keep America running.
Join the OR Bitco team and be part of a workplace built on collaboration, open communication, and a positive culture that supports growth and success. If you are passionate about operational excellence and ready to make a measurable impact within a growing, industry-leading organization, OR Bitco offers the platform and challenge you have been looking for.
Position Summary:
The Vice President, Underwriting is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of underwriting operations across a designated region. This role ensures underwriting activities are conducted in accordance with company guidelines, risk appetite, regulatory requirements, and profitability objectives. Working closely with Underwriting Managers and regional leadership, the Vice President drives underwriting performance, portfolio management, agency relationships, and business growth initiatives while maintaining disciplined risk selection and pricing practices. This position provides guidance, coaching, and direction to underwriting teams, fosters consistency in underwriting practices, and supports the achievement of regional and corporate business objectives. The Vice President monitors production, retention, loss ratio, and profitability trends, identifies opportunities for improvement, and implements strategies that promote sustainable growth and operational excellence throughout the region.
Primary Responsibilities:
- In conjunction with local Underwriting Managers, directs and supervises the work of assigned Underwriting teams, including the quality, quantity and timeliness of work product.
- Oversees underwriting practices carried out by underwriting personnel in the assigned branch offices or territories, including directing the planning and achievement of underwriting goals in the assigned programs of business.
- Decides whether to accept, decline or modify applications or requests to sell an insurance policy and once sold, recognizing and evaluating exposure changes as they occur during a policy period and including an understanding of the company's target programs and coverage.
- Works with local Managers to prepare and carry out each office's business plan each year, including overseeing such activities and setting of business objectives with revisions and modifications as needed to meet the branch sales and profit goals.
- Underwrites or provides guidance in underwriting large or unusual risks which require a high level of technical knowledge and skill in product and industry.
- Manages and develops business in the region, including achieving profitable underwriting results, sales development and customer service functions.
- Formulates, plans and achieves sales budgets and objectives for the region, including setting and achieving premium and loss ratio goals, agency and prospecting calls and business forecasting.
- Maintains current company and department procedures. Assigns work, provides training and feedback to team members, and conducts timely and appropriate evaluations of job performance in the department.
- Makes decisions within stated levels of authority and company guidelines, seeks exceptions to guidelines as needed when supported by appropriate data
- Guides assigned Underwriting teams in soliciting new business and retaining renewal business through effective presentations to agency and customer audiences.
- Helps ensure effective agency relationships, which may include prospecting for new agencies, agency appointment, growth and development, maximization of agency profit sharing opportunities and credit management; evaluating agency factors, including agency personnel, line diversification, loss ratio, agency book of business, volume and profit potential and which agencies to appoint or terminate.
- Maintains a high level of awareness and understanding of sales and marketing innovations, changes and strategies.
- Travel as necessary to perform sales and marketing activities, maintain territory, attend meetings, or for other reasons deemed necessary to fulfill position requirements
- As a management representative, consistently acts in the best interest of OR Bitco and provides leadership and communication to actively promote OR Bitco’s mission, values, and culture.
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Insurance, Risk Management, or other Business-related fields
- 8-10+ years of industry experience in the following areas: Commercial Underwriting in the Construction, Forest Products, Manufacturing, and/or Oil & Gas industries Underwriting New & Renewal Business – Determining pricing and understanding commercial lines policy forms and coverages Analyzing & Managing Exposures – Developing action plans to manage risks and changes during a policy period Agency Management – Growth and development; prospecting; appointment; and maximization of opportunities and responsibilities External Sales – Cultivating new business while demonstrating retention of current customers through presentations to agencies and customers
- 5+ years' experience in supervising or managing an Underwriting team
- Demonstrated proficiency in recognizing key underwriting issues and taking appropriate action on developed information
- Chartered Property Casualty Insurance (CPCU) or similar professional designation highly regarded
- Must be willing to travel, as required, to maintain territory and scope of responsibility; A valid driver's license is required.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary paired with a comprehensive benefits package
- Generous paid time off, plus 12 paid holidays annually
- Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans
- Additional protection through accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
- Company-paid life insurance equal to 2× annual salary
- Company-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage
- 401(k) Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan through Old Republic
- Ongoing education, training, and professional development opportunities
- Support for industry certifications and insurance designations, including financial assistance
- Flexible scheduling with a two-hour window for start and end times within a 7.5-hour workday
- Opportunities to give back through corporate philanthropy and community service initiatives
- Optional benefits including travel, commuter, and pet insurance
- Employee wellness support through a dedicated fitness program
