Application Instructions: Applicants must provide a current resume, completed SDAO application and answers to supplemental questions. These are to be submitted to [email protected] no later than noon on August 14th, 2026. Incomplete application packets will not be considered.
To review a full job description, access an application and supplemental questions go to https://www.sdao.com/special-districts-association-of-oregon-director-of-underwriting or contact hr @sdao.com
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The Director of Underwriting provides strategic and operational leadership for the underwriting functions of the Special Districts Insurance Services Trust (SDIS) and the Property and Casualty Coverage for Educational Trust (PACE) insurance programs. This position is responsible for the management of underwriting operations, staff supervision, rate development, coverage administration, reinsurance coordination, member relations, and insurance program development. The Director of Underwriting works collaboratively with executive leadership, trustees, committees, reinsurers, agents, and members to ensure long-term financial stability, competitiveness, and effectiveness of SDIS and PACE insurance programs.
Education, Experience, and Certification/Licensure:
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, mathematics or systems analysis or related field.
- Minimum four years’ experience as an Underwriter for an insurance company or self-insured pool
- State of Oregon Insurance License required; OR
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
Desired/Preferred
- Previous full supervisory experience strongly desired
- Five or more years of management level experience addressing the insurance needs of public entities
- Demonstrated project or program management or leadership skills within the public entity and/or insurance industries
Essential Functions/Major Assignments:
- Oversee the development, maintenance, review, and implementation of all insurance program coverage documents, endorsements, and related documentation, ensuring consistency with reinsurance agreements and identification of any coverage gaps or omissions.
- Ensure the SDIS Trust and PACE Trust are consistently informed and updated on what is occurring in the Underwriting department.
- Develop, analyze, and present exposure, loss, and underwriting trend reports to management, the Insurance Services Committee, and the Board of Trustees.
- Develop and maintain departmental procedures and internal controls to support efficient operations and effective risk management.
- Acts as SDIS liaison with all local insurance agents.
- In collaboration with Director of Property Casualty Services and the CFO develop and implement a rating plan each policy year based on the annual budget.
- Develop and maintain an underwriting manual for SDIS and PACE.
- Analyze the annual actuarial study to determine adequate rates and identify trends.
- Assist with development of the annual budget.
- Administer SDIS’s Longevity Credit Program.
- In collaboration with Director of Property Casualty Services, collaborate and share data with SAIF to assist with the SDAO Service Group as needed.
- Make pricing, renewal, and deductible decisions for each member of SDIS and PACE.
- Analyze pricing compared to exposure to make sure rates are adequate.
- Responsible for maintenance of the Trust and PACE coverage documents, including but not limited to.
- Developing a clear understanding of all coverage sections.
- In collaboration with Director of Property Casualty Services, on an annual basis, identify any coverage changes that need to be made for members; this is completed by an annual review of coverage reports, claims and loss; work in concert with the Insurance Services Committee to discuss changes to resolution.
- Communicate directly with reinsurance brokers to ensure their approval of any changes to coverages.
- Implementing coverage changes and distribute revised documents to the members.
- Collaborate with Claims, Risk Management, Accounting, and other departments to ensure alignment of underwriting, coverage, billing, member service, and risk management activities.
- In collaboration with Director of Property Casualty Services, work with reinsurance brokers to negotiate reinsurance pricing, terms, conditions, and limits of coverage.
- Work with other departments to discuss changes.
- Maintain and organize all reinsurance documents.
- Answer coverage questions from members and independent insurance agents.
- Communicate regularly with independent insurance agents to explain coverage and pricing issues.
- Oversee the contracts with outside appraisal companies.
- Responsible for reviewing and approving all new quotes sent to prospective members.
- Assist with policy changes, updates, additions, deletions regarding insurance products.
- In collaboration with the Insurance Services Committee, make decisions on coverage for unique exposures.
- Provide leadership, support, and guidance to the underwriting team.
- Must provide regular, reliable, and predictable performance of duties.
- Must be available and accessible during work hours.
Secondary Functions:
- Support strategic planning initiatives related to SDIS and PACE insurance programs.
- Assist with the evaluation, selection, and implementation of technology systems and process improvements related to underwriting operations.
- Participate in industry associations, conferences, and professional development activities to maintain current knowledge of underwriting trends, public entity pooling, and insurance market conditions.
- Serve as a backup resource for critical underwriting functions during periods of staff absence or increased workload.
- Maintain productive working relationships with members, agents, reinsurers, vendors, and business partners.
- All other duties as assigned.
Pay: $119,062.00 - $139,289.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- This position is located in Salem, Oregon. The Director of Underwriting must be in office full time during the introductory period and then in office a minimum of two days per week after a successful introductory period. Do you reside in a commutable distance to Salem, OR and are willing to work this required schedule?
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Salem, OR 97301
