Underwriter (Workers' Compensation)

Senior Underwriter | 100% Remote (WFH) Opportunity General Summary Employers is one of the nation’s leading small business workers’ compensation insurers, with a deep focus on workers’ compensation that creates unmatched expertise for our underwriting professionals. Our underwriters become true workers’ compensation specialists — developing deep market knowledge, strong agent partnerships, and real influence over territory outcomes.

Our diverse distribution model spans independent agents, payroll partners, specialty programs, and digital channels. Underwriters here are genuine business partners — paired with a Territory Manager or Customer Relationship Manager and sharing real accountability for growth, profitability, and agency relationships in their market.

We offer the stability and resources of an established, publicly traded company and a remote-friendly culture that trusts our people to own their work. The Senior Underwriter is the highest individual contributor level on the Employers underwriting career track — a recognized technical expert, trusted business partner, and informal leader within the underwriting organization.

Senior Underwriters carry the broadest letter of authority, manage the most complex accounts, and play an active role in developing the next generation of underwriting talent. If you are ready to operate at the intersection of expert risk selection, strategic territory management, and team leadership, this is your role.

#LI-Remote About EMPLOYERS Essential Duties and Responsibilities Underwrite and retain new and/or renewal business through disciplined risk analysis, pricing in adherence to state filings, corporate guidelines, and delegated authority. Compile relevant information and document underwriting decisions; make referrals to management when appropriate with sound rationale and recommendations.

Develop and maintain strong agency relationships with shared accountability with your Territory Manager or Customer Relationship Manager partner in meeting territory goals. Provide thorough and pertinent guidance to Underwriting Services staff required to process coverage requests in accordance with service guidelines and SLAs.

Provide professional, timely, and courteous communication and service to internal and external customers to resolve issues. Operate with the highest level of independence; serve as the primary escalation resource for complex accounts, referrals, and underwriting judgment calls within the team. Own state/territory management for assigned states at a strategic level: contribute to state-level pricing and appetite reviews, advocate for territory-specific guideline adjustments based on market conditions, and serve as the go-to resource for state-specific nuances and regulatory developments.

Contribute to state-level strategic planning, including identifying growth opportunities and underperforming segments; influence territory strategy in collaboration with leadership and your Territory Manager or Customer Relationship Manager partner. Serve as a technical expert and mentor to Underwriters and Associate Underwriters; support coaching, skills development, and knowledge transfer within the team.

Support leadership by performing internal underwriting audits; assist in educating staff on findings, trends, and updated guidelines and procedures. Participate in organizational projects, cross-functional initiatives, and other leadership duties as requested. Maintain cutting-edge product line and industry expertise; actively gather and share competitive intelligence and market trend information with leadership and peers.

Contribute to tactical and strategic business planning with Sales and distribution partners at a senior level. Career Progression: The Senior Underwriter is the pinnacle of the individual contributor underwriting track at Employers. Senior Underwriters who have demonstrated sustained high performance and expanded their organizational impact are well-positioned for Underwriting Manager and leadership opportunities as they arise.

Career path: Associate Underwriter → Underwriter → Senior Underwriter. Channel-Specific Duties: Payroll Partners Channel Develop and maintain strong relationships with payroll company partners to facilitate marketing of integrated payroll and workers’ compensation products. Underwrite new and renewal business submitted through payroll distribution partners, with emphasis on efficiency and responsiveness.

Analyze portfolio performance within the payroll channel, identifying opportunities for improved growth, profit, and diversification. Conduct stewardship visits and collaborate with sales at various offices to increase market share. Maintain deep knowledge of payroll partners’ client base and business needs to deliver tailored solutions.

Channel-Specific Duties: Programs / Specialty Channel Apply specialized knowledge and independent judgment to determine eligibility of risks within assigned programs, using guidelines, applications, supplemental documents, loss control reports, and financial data. Underwrite new and renewal business within assigned specialty programs, applying appropriate underwriting standards, guidelines, and authority.

Maintain deep expertise in industries and risk types that fall outside the standard risk profile, including education, on-the-job training, and active market engagement. Apply underwriting methodologies to support coverage terms and conditions for non-standard risks, providing solutions and insight for niche markets. Stay current with trends, regulatory changes, and competitive developments that impact risk eligibility and program performance.

Serve as an internal resource for specialty program knowledge and appetite. Channel-Specific Duties: Digital / API Channel Understand and manage API workflows to ensure underwriting approaches and strategies are aligned with digital distribution requirements. Underwrite new and renewal business within digital distribution channels, ensuring alignment with system-driven workflows and appetite guidelines.

Make sound underwriting decisions efficiently within digital workflow parameters, escalating exceptions appropriately. Collaborate cross-functionally on digital product development and workflow optimization.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience underwriting property and casualty insurance. Workers’ compensation underwriting experience required. Demonstrated ability to serve as a technical expert and/or mentor to an underwriting team. Ability to support leadership by performing internal underwriting audits and educating staff on findings, trends, and updated guidelines.

Proficiency working with complex underwriting documents, coverage forms, financial data, and regulatory guidance. Advanced analytical skills including loss ratios, net rates, experience modifications, and portfolio metrics. Strong problem-solving skills involving complex, non-standard, and ambiguous underwriting situations.

Excellent written, verbal, telephone, and virtual communication skills. Excellent organizational, time management, and negotiation skills. Familiarity with AI tools and their application in underwriting or insurance workflows preferred. Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and other relevant software tools.

Preferred certifications: CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter). AU (Associate in Underwriting). ARM or CIC. Pursuit of relevant designations strongly encouraged and supported.

Education

Bachelor’s degree. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Work Environment Remote: This role is 100% remote, open to candidates currently located in the United States who are able to work without sponsorship. Requires a private, quiet workspace suitable for focused work and video collaboration.

Hours: Schedules are set to accommodate the needs of the role and organization, and may be adjusted as needed. Travel: Occasional travel to off-site locations for meetings may be required. Salary Range: $80,000- $110,000 with a comprehensive benefits package. Details: EMPLOYERS Benefits