Vice-President, Commercial Auto Department

POSTION PURPOSE: Responsible for the production and profitability of the Commercial Auto Department.  Must manage and direct all activities and functions of the department,  most importantly determine underwriting rates, rules, policy forms and procedures. Has overall responsibility for the competency of staff.  Plans, controls, leads and organizes the department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1.  Determines brokers' needs and develops the commercial auto program to fit those needs.
2. Develops rates, based on underwriting results and competition; ensures rates are current; maintains knowledge of competitors' current rates.
3. Develops information necessary to create procedure forms and policy forms to be used for the commercial program.
4. Creates rating and rule manuals for brokers in all states and promotional and informative brochures for them and insureds, e.g. Drivers Alert, CSA, etc.
5. Confers with clients regarding problems they are experiencing relating to our products and/or service; resolves the problem or explains company's position; arbitrates disputes between broker and company when necessary.
6. Assesses whether the marketing staff has built a profitable producer base in their particular region.
7. Receives and checks applications, licenses, bonds, E&O  for agency appointments; signs agency contracts on behalf of the Company; terminates agency contracts according to law and terms of the previously-signed contract when determined to be necessary for collection, claims problems, for lack of production; updates the contract as needed.
8. Assists Underwriters with risk acceptability, pricing and forms interpretation.
9. Meets regularly with the Underwriters to keep them informed of pertinent changes and to make sure they each are consistently following underwriting rules; annual fraud training.
10. Determines staffing needs of the department; oversees hiring, training, counseling, disciplining and termination of employees; oversees departmental salary administration.
11. Meets with marketing staff to establish marketing methodology; monitors results.
12. Evaluates the entire Commercial Auto program periodically; makes necessary changes or adjustments to obtain desired results.
13. Monitors departmental expenses and determines appropriateness to the percentage earned and percentage written.
14. Handles inquiries and/or complaints from brokers when questions or problems cannot be resolved by subordinates.
15. Fields procedural questions from staff and brokers; establishes and implements standards and procedures to be adopted within department; monitors efficiency of internal procedures; assists subordinates in resolution of problems.
16. Answers inquiries from Claims department regarding coverage and other policy questions; monitors large claims and determines if any action should be taken.
17. Develops solutions to a wide range of issues, including production, service‑oriented problems, collections and administration; develops new programs that coincide with or could facilitate more commercial auto production.
18. Interacts with other departments as necessary to ensure that all are acting in conformance with President and CEO’s expectations, relating to Commercial Auto.
19. Oversees collection of premiums and deductibles; works with Premium Accounting relating to premium collection; tracks results.
20. Composes regular letters to all agencies regarding their expirations/production; composes I- Contact messages to brokers for announcements, updates and reminders.
21. Consults with IS & BSAU regarding various issues; sends Track-Its and user requests for procedure, form and system problems and changes.
22. Maintains regular and consistent attendance.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Telephone, 10‑key Calculator, Computer/Printer

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Office work area with desks and adjustable chairs; floor mats are under desks/chairs for non‑slippage and ease of movement.  The sounds of calculators, telephones, keyboards and people speaking can be heard in immediate work area.  The floor is carpeted.  Some offices have partitions for privacy.  There is limited wheelchair access in individual offices.  The office suites are air‑conditioned in summer and heated when appropriate in winter.  The lighting is fluorescent.

SKILLS/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience

Minimum ten years experience including commercial automobile insurance underwriting and marketing.  Familiarity with Commercial Auto claims is required.  Must possess understanding of loss ratio make-up and rate development and have prior management or executive level experience.  Experience in making coverage determinations and interpretations of policy forms for Commercial Auto and Claims departments is required.  Must have experience in writing coverage, policy, and internal procedure forms. Background working with the California and/or other states’ Departments of Insurance in audits, filings and surveys preferred.  Must have familiarity with Excel Word, Word Perfect and otherwise be computer literate.

Physical/Mental Abilities

1.  Possess excellent written and verbal communications skills, as well as excellent listening and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate ideas.
2. Perform simple and complex calculations by use of 10‑key calculator.
3. Be highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently.
4. Learn terminology used in position.
5. Demonstrate ability to learn various computer applications specific to position in order to utilize these applications as required in the performance of job duties.
6. Pay close attention to detail, with the ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a busy environment.
7.   Demonstrate ability to work in a team-oriented, collaborative environment, with ability to interface with all levels within the organization in a congenial yet professional manner. 
8. Exhibit strong leadership and motivational ability with emphasis in setting departmental objectives and obtaining maximum productivity from subordinates.
9. Possess excellent understanding of the company’s goals and objectives.
10. Exhibit sound judgment and decision‑making ability.
11. Maintain professional conduct and appropriate decorum at all times.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

1. Evaluates and acts on as necessary, reports from Claims and Accounting regarding underwriting, expense, loss, agency, territory, class, department, and company results.; keeps current on the activities of other departments as to how they may affect Commercial Auto.
2. Keeps current on commercial insurance in the industry for states in which we write business by reading numerous periodicals and computer reports; assesses what, if any, changes should be made in our programs.  
3. Suggests new programs via monthly written reports to President and CEO.
4. Develops specifications for computer programming of Commercial Auto program.
5. Determines the necessary information to be included in computer-generated reports; reviews reports and works with IS and BSAU to make those changes.
6. Completes required  expense/activity reports and submits in a timely manner.
7. Performs other related duties as necessary.

Property Field Adjuster (Homeowners) Grade 24/ Exempt
Territory - Phoenix, Arizona

This is a residence based position. Our ideal candidate will reside in Phoenix, Arizona. Must have at least five years field experience adjusting/appraising of property claims and have knowledge of restoration and construction techniques and costs and have the ability to evaluate physical damage, personal property and liability and be well versed in SIU guidelines, Department of Insurance Regulations, the Insurance Code and legal case law. Travel throughout assigned territory inspecting, photographing and evaluating residential property losses to determine cause of loss; preparing scope of insured damages and estimate of repairs. Property Casualty Insurance experience a must. Successful applicants will train at our home office in North Hollywood. Company car provided, must have valid driver's license for Arizona and be insurable under the company's fleet automobile insurance policy. Also requires proficiency with Xactimate property estimating software and ability to type 25wpm. (A more detailed job description will be provided on request.)

You may submit your resume: via this website, by e-mail to jobinfo@cnico.com or by fax to 818 760-1643. When you submit your resume it is helpful if you indicate your understanding of the territory for this opening and your salary goal.

Personal use of Company vehicle is allowed and is treated as "non-cash-taxable income" which is taxed four times per year. Participation in the Company 401(k) plan begins on the first of the quarter after 6 months of employment.