Employment Opportunities

 Summary

Reporting to the CEO and a member of the senior leadership team, the Chief Marketing Officer provides executive and strategic vision for all internal and external communications, marketing communications and public relations. This individual is responsible for developing a vision for and implementing all marketing and communications activities for the Group using a range of marketing and communications channels.  Because our group represents a diverse group of audiences and offers a wide range of services to its members and brokers, the Chief Marketing Officer must develop messages targeted for a variety of audiences, while also recognizing the need for a consistent overall message and voice for the companies in the group. This individual must model respect and professionalism at all times.  All Chiefs are required to comfortably multi-task and should be energized by nearly constant change. Ours is an entrepreneurial culture, led by a senior leadership team, but engaging the entire staff. “Not my job” is not part of our vocabulary. Chiefs must be true team players willing to abandon “turf” issues for the greater good and must be an example for all staff for exemplary ethical conduct.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements internal and external communications, marketing and branding including collateral, websites and social media and public relations to fulfill the mission and strategic goals of NIA..
• Works closely with CEO and other senior leadership to effectively position NIA with key audiences.
• Builds, maintains, and improves strategic relationships with media representatives and key industry players.
• Maintains a wide perspective of the issues, including regulatory and political, that impact the organization and both the insurance and nonprofit sectors.
• Proactively drives NIA’s voice, strategy and message development and communication strategies.
• Serves as a spokesperson for NIA  as well as serving as the trusted communications advisor to the President and CEO and senior leadership team.
• Thinks creatively and proactively to produce opportunities that improve the visibility and profile of NIA  and senior leadership in line with strategic goals.  Develops and implements thoughtful media plans around each opportunity. Ensures that all media engagements senior leaders are fully vetted and fully leveraged.
• Develops and executes rapid response communication, as needed.
• Facilitates and staffs media requests for senior executives and prepare executives for interviews with messaging, background, etc.
• Develops plan and oversees all marketing-related travel, including conferences and events, using a cross-functional companywide team to meet the in-person marketing needs.  Includes training travel staff on marketing protocols, documentation, collateral, and expected outcomes.  This position is expected to travel up to 25% of the time.
• Effectively and efficiently develops and manages project budgets to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Oversees outreach to other organizations/associations within the nonprofit sector, especially those providing infrastructure and training support to other nonprofits.
• Provides the CEO, senior leadership and Board of Directors with regular statistical information and reports relative to communication and marketing targets.
• Augments and maintains database on insurance coverage and loss control services offered to nonprofits by the commercial marketplace and provides advice on the mission and market impact of proposed coverage forms and changes or additions to existing forms.
• Develops communication materials regarding board of director nominations and elections to increase participation by members.
• Oversees and coaches a team of marketing and communication employees. Maintains staffing levels appropriate for activities. Assigns work, sets priorities, and evaluates performance and evaluates departmental skill and experience needs and recruits, motivates and develops talent for present and future departmental needs.
• Ability to lift 30lbs and carry marketing collateral as needed
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to bend, reach or sit for up to 3 hours at a time
• Must have adequate vision (with corrective lenses if needed) to clearly view computer screen
• Must have adequate hearing to perform job tasks
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements, Skills and Abilities

• The successful candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of experience in marketing/communications roles with progressive responsibility in the insurance industry strongly preferred. Experience in coalition building a plus.
• Prior experience with marketing and communications initiatives at a commercial property/casualty  carrier or broker required.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing a comprehensive strategic communications, media relations, communications and marketing program to advance an organization’s mission and goals.
• A minimum of five (5) years managing a staff of creative individuals.
• Proven ability to develop and execute a strategic plan aimed at delivering growth in accordance with the organizational goals.
• Strong passion for and knowledge of the nonprofit sector and the mission of the Group.
• Strong organizational skills. Capacity to manage multiple tasks in response to both written and verbal requests.
• High level of diplomacy and tact, combined with a strong sense of confidentiality.
• Successful experience executing social media strategies and ability to develop and execute practical applications for the Group.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise program documentation, user procedures, reports of work performed, and other written materials.
• A track record of working collaboratively with internal and external resources to develop and implement proactive, thoughtful, creative, and impactful communications plans around significant events.
• A history of working  well with others and being an open/honest communicator
• A track record of developing and maintaining well-established, solid relationships with key media and industry representatives, along with the demonstrated skill, comfort, and drive to build new relationships as appropriate.
• Outstanding oral presentation and written communications skills with a remarkable professional presence.
• Ability to interact and build consensus internally with key influencers and stakeholders.
• A confident and highly capable manner with the ability to withstand challenges and push back while still being open-minded and flexible. An eager learner who can quickly understand the key aspects of the business, industry, and key players.
• Proven capacity to successfully multi-task in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment with the ability to maintain poise under pressure.
• Proven ability to perform in a collaborative, team-oriented environment with a strong customer orientation (internal and external).
• A hands-on, “roll up the sleeves,” action-oriented approach coupled with a comfort of working with a small communications team.
• Strategic thinker able to provide leadership about practical applications of current trends in information technology, computer hardware and software capabilities and limitations
• Demonstrated ability to ability to request and analyze relevant data and recommend strategic action, develop and monitor budgets and control expenditures, prepare departmental operating policies and procedures, ensure individual and Group performance targets are met and sufficient staffing levels, including appropriate training and development to meet current and future department demands.
• Team player who motivates and positively engages staff and management colleagues and earns their trust.
• Strong listener, who translates user needs into operational applications
• Ability to foster positive department relationships and mentorship while also providing critical feedback when necessary
• Impeccably honest and ethical. A successful executive who is smart, passionate, energetic, and results focused
• Basic knowledge of multi-state/multi-line commercial insurance
• Proficiency with Microsoft WORD applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook) and a solid understanding of key marketing and communications tools and technologies including the Adobe Creative Suite, web content management systems, mail delivery systems, Google Analytics and other web metrics.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or directly-related equivalent experience

If you are interested in applying for a position, please submit your resume and a cover letter that tells us why you want to work for AMS, a member of the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance at our Career page.

Summary

The IT Business Applications Manager reports to the Chief Information Officer.  The IT Business Applications Manager is responsible for managing the operational support, maintenance, and development activities for the platform of production insurance applications.  This role is also responsible for the successful project management of all new business applications.  The position combines managerial responsibilities with in-depth hands-on technical expertise.  The manager is responsible for appropriate staffing, staff management, performance management, and continuous service improvement. This position will be based in our main office in Santa Cruz, CA.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to)

• Provide oversight and management to the IT Application team to deliver IT services
• Ensures assessment of user needs to provide support and proactive service, including analysis of opportunities in order to take advantage of available tools
• Acts as a focal point for communicating related system problems within the department and collaborates with other teams and vendors on changes, fixes, and updates
• Manages the release process for applications which includes effective department wide and end user communication
• Manages testing scripts and identifies opportunities for improvement
• Negotiates resolution of conflicting requirements across the organization
• Sets and measures performance objectives and provides regular one-on-one feedback to all members of the team
• Hires and evaluates the performance of direct reports, and provides ongoing coaching and staff development
• Addresses individual staff performance problems as needed
• Manages delivery and SLAs by guiding incident resolution, problem management, maintenance, and enhancement tickets raised by the end users for production applications
• Develops relevant metrics, measures and publishes the performance of the services provided and enables continuous improvement activities
• Works closely with IT management in identifying, evaluating, selecting, and implementing specific information technologies that support the business plans and IT strategies
• Ensure department adheres to policies and procedures that are compliant with industry and regulatory policies
• Assists with the preparation of budget for IT systems and services related interfaces and applications
• Keeps abreast of new developments and forecasts future trends in the area of applications, application implementation, integration and other technologies
• Maintains a strong understanding of technology and its application to achieve business objectives
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Strong management skills
• Drive projects that integrate information technologies into the company for optimal effectiveness and efficiencies
• Participate in creating the strategic plan for IT
• Strong skills in planning, prioritizing and scheduling
• Interpersonal skills including collaboration, influencing and communications
• Software development and object oriented principles
• Agile/Scrum software development methodology
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
• Ability to work full-time from our main office in Santa Cruz, CA
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to bend, reach or sit for up to 3 hours at a time
• May occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-20 lbs
• Must have adequate vision (with corrective lenses if needed) to clearly view computer screen
• Must have adequate hearing to perform job tasks

Experience

• Prior management experience required. Minimum of 4 years of managing business application development teams required
• Minimum of 5 years of experience using .NET, SQL, and TFS in a Microsoft Windows environment required
• Some experience with Data Warehousing a plus, but not required
• Some experience administering SQL Server a plus, but not required
• Insurance industry or insurance production systems experience highly desirable, but not required

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science or a combination of education and directly related equivalent experience required.

If you are interested in applying for a position, please submit your resume and a cover letter that tells us why you want to work for AMS, a member of the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance at our Career page.

Summary

Under supervision of the Underwriting Manager, and within guidelines and authority established in the NIAC/ANI underwriting manual, the Senior Underwriter performs risk selection and pricing on endorsements, renewals, and new business. Reviews new business and renewal quotes prior to issuance. Makes marketing calls to members and brokers on an as needed basis. This position requires a great deal of creativity and latitude.

This position works out of the main office in Santa Cruz, CA or can be a remote, work from home position. Prior experience working remotely from a home office 100% of the time is required if the candidate elects to work remote.

Responsibilities

The Senior Underwriter’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assess and price all endorsements (beyond authority of underwriting assistant), renewals, and new business according to guidelines and authority as outlined in the underwriting manual. Lines of business to underwrite include general liability, auto liability and physical damage, improper sexual conduct, liquor liability, employee benefits liability, umbrella, property and crime, social service professional liability, and accident.
• Prepare the underwriting and rating work-up on all renewal and new business policies.  Such work-up to include but is not limited to:
  • Select and/or verify class code and premium base and rating exposure
  • Calculate final premium including specialty charges (special events and additional insureds)
  • Determine appropriate credits and/or debits to obtain a fair and sustained premium for risk
  • Determine all coverage forms and necessary endorsements
  • Effectively communicate to broker quote conditions
  • Provide accurate documentation in the file and/or in electronic notes of underwriting thought process
  • Ability to think outside of the box and develop solutions for our members that address their specific insurance needs
• A personal commitment to providing Inspired Service in every internal and external client engagement
• Provide customer service by responding promptly and courteously to all requests for information
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation and issuance of policies issuance. Effectively communicate company standards, mission, underwriting guidelines, and requirements to brokers and/or members.
• Provide accurate documentation in the file and/or in electronic notes of underwriting thought process.
• Order/review inspection reports to assess risk quality and to confirm exposure base accuracy.
• Actively manage assigned book of business.  Responsible for achieving company renewal retention ratio goal and amount of new business written on a monthly basis in addition to company profitability goals.
• Actively manage relationships with assigned brokers, customers and members
• Ensure that information available from internal and external resources is properly integrated into underwriting decision making.
• Ensure that referral guidelines are properly followed regarding all lines of business underwritten.
• Any and all assignments related to the insurance operations department as requested by the director or vice president of insurance operations.
• Provides training and mentoring for other members of the Insurance Operations team when required
• Some travel required.

Required Skills

• Strong technical P&C underwriting knowledge and skills.
• Advanced knowledge of ISO commercial class codes and CLM rules, forms, rating and regulatory requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of NIAG polices and coverages and how they differ from competitor’s forms and coverages.
• Very strong knowledge of underwriting and pricing principles and the ability to use this knowledge to make underwriting and pricing decisions with little oversight
• Results-oriented, self-motivated problem solver with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Consistent customer service focus for members and brokers.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload with little supervision and efficiently make sound business decisions within level of authority.
• Capacity to manage multiple tasks in response to both written and verbal requests.
• PC literate. Basic to intermediate skills with Word, Outlook and Power Point. Intermediate skills in Excel.

• Should expect to assist with training and development of less experienced staff.  This includes the ability to do formal and informal training sessions/classes.
• Candidate should possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and sharp attention to detail.  This includes strong documentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate with other staff members and external constituents.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to climb, stoop, bend, reach or sit for up to 3 hours at a time.  The employee must occasionally lift/and or move up to 20lbs.

• Must have adequate vision (with corrective lenses if needed) to clearly view computer screen.
• Must have adequate hearing to perform job tasks.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years experience as an Underwriter in a multi-state and multi-line commercial insurance environment required.

Education

• B.A. or B.S. degree in Business or Insurance strongly preferred (or directly-related equivalent experience required).

If you are interested in applying for a position, please submit your resume and a cover letter that tells us why you want to work for AMS, a member of the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance at our Career page.

Summary

Under the supervision of the Underwriter Manager, and within guidelines established in the NIAC/ANI underwriting manual, the Underwriting Assistant/Senior Underwriting Assistant provides technical and clerical assistance to the Underwriters in the areas of application entry, rating, preparing quotes, renewal underwriting, issuing policies, marketing, and interacting with brokers.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required but are not all inclusive.

This position works out of the main office in Santa Cruz, CA or can be a remote, work from home position. Prior experience working remotely from a home office 100% of the time is required if the candidate elects to work remote.

Responsibilities

• A personal commitment to providing Inspired Service in every internal and external client engagement
• Provide customer service by responding promptly and courteously to all requests for information
• Effectively communicate company standards, mission, underwriting guidelines, and requirements to brokers and/or members.
• Process incoming new applications.
• Accurately issue new and renewal policies.
• Order and review of inspection reports.
• Process endorsements within authority level. Refer any endorsements exceeding authority to Underwriter.
• Process renewal quotes for multiline policies up to assigned Authority Level. Refer any quotes exceeding authority to underwriter.
• Training/Mentoring:  Provides training and mentoring for other members of the Insurance Operations team when required.
• Develops amicable working relationships with underwriters/agents and handles some agent special service requests.
• Provide assistance and make inquiry of brokers regarding endorsements and renewals.
• Rate all lines of new business and renewal business as assigned or directed by underwriter.
• Process broker and member information changes such as address changes, phone, email, etc.
• Provide accurate documentation in the file and/or in electronic notes of underwriting thought process.
• Miscellaneous tasks – Any and all assignments related to the insurance operations department as requested by the Underwriting Manager or Vice President of Insurance Operations.

Required Skills

• Must possess a moderate understanding of property and casualty insurance coverages; familiarity with ISO commercial class codes is required.
• Knowledge of underwriting principles and processes is required.
• Solid mathematical aptitude
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently with little direct supervision and within a team environment as needed
• Basic to intermediate skills with Excel, Word, Outlook and Power Point.
• Candidate should be organized and able to multi-task, provide follow-up and manage a significant book of business.
• Strong customer service skills and a professional attitude are required.
• Candidate should posses excellent written and verbal communication skills, and sharp attention to detail.
• Assist with training and development of less experienced staff.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to bend and/or reach or sit for up to 3 hours at a time.
• Ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment
• The employee must occasionally lift/and or move up to 10-20lbs
• Must have adequate vision (with corrective lenses if needed) to clearly view computer screen
• Must have adequate hearing to perform job tasks.

Experience

• 3 to 5 years related work experience as Commercial CSR or Underwriting Assistant or Senior Underwriting Assistant preferred.
• Experience in a multi-state and multi-line commercial insurance environment preferred.

Education

• 4-year degree strongly preferred.
• Insurance Fire and Casualty license preferred or completion of at least 4 Property and Casualty insurance education courses.

If you are interested in applying for a position, please submit your resume and a cover letter that tells us why you want to work for AMS, a member of the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance at our Career page.