This posting is scheduled to close on Sunday, July 13 at 11:59pm MDT. If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received, this posting may close early. Apply today!

About the job:

At Montana State Fund, we're more than just Montana’s largest workers’ compensation insurance company; we're Montanans working with Montanans. Our team understands our state, its diverse businesses, and its people. As an Experienced Underwriter (Underwriter II or Underwriter III), you'll be a critical part of our vision to achieve a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Montana by ensuring fair and accurate insurance solutions for businesses across the state.

This role offers a dynamic blend of analytical expertise, strategic thinking, and impactful relationship management. Whether you're skillfully underwriting new and renewal accounts of varying complexities or leading strategic portfolio management for our most intricate clients, you'll be instrumental in our profitable growth and retention goals. You'll assess risk characteristics, loss history, and loss control measures, applying your in-depth knowledge of NCCI rules, Montana statutes, and MSF best practices to determine optimal pricing.

We are open to hiring our next Underwriter II or Underwriter III at the level of experience you bring to the organization. Whether you're an emerging professional ready to develop your skills on accounts of low to medium complexity, or an experienced leader prepared to tackle our most complex portfolios and contribute to strategic initiatives, we offer a challenging and rewarding environment. Come be a part of a team dedicated to making a real difference for Montana businesses.

Required Skills

What you will do:

Strategic Underwriting & Risk Management: Evaluate and price new and renewal business accounts, ranging from low-to-medium to highly complex. This includes skillfully managing a book of Premier policies, assessing classifications, hazards, controls, and historical data to ensure fair, adequate, and non-discriminatory pricing. You'll leverage internal MSF insurance data for strategic recommendations and actively manage loss experience to preserve profitability.

Relationship Management & Business Development: Cultivate strong relationships with customers, insurance producers, and key accounts. You'll serve as a lead in coordinating safety services, participating in claim discussions, and providing underwriting expertise to meet ongoing service needs. For our most experienced underwriters, this will involve developing and implementing comprehensive business acquisition strategies and maintaining market intelligence to support MSF staff and agents.

Technical Expertise & Organizational Leadership: Act as a go-to workers' compensation technical expert for colleagues, customers, and producers across all business functions. You'll proactively provide advice and coaching, and collaborate cross-functionally with management and departments like Claims, Loss Control, and Marketing to develop strategies that drive business results and support organizational success. More advanced underwriters will also mentor peers and apply strategic financial understanding, working with actuaries to analyze rate tier systems and trends.

Strategic Contribution & Business Acumen: Directly contribute to the successful attainment of Premier team goals, including target returns, retention, and new business. You'll deliver high-quality insurance products to Montana businesses, demonstrating a deep understanding of MSF insurance data and staying current on business and insurance trends. You'll strategically leverage internal and external partners to maximize the quality and retention of your book of business.

Professional Development & Collaboration: Actively participate in professional meetings, account management, and MSF projects. You'll consistently demonstrate professional written and oral communication, behaviors, and exceptional customer service skills with both internal and external customers.

Required Experience

What you will need (minimum qualifications): 

Underwriter II:

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of internal or external experience in the role of an underwriter
  OR
• Two (2) years in the role of a MSF Underwriting Account Manager plus One (1) year in the role of Underwriter I

Underwriter III:

• Bachelor’s Degree and four (4) years of insurance experience in the role of an underwriter, including a minimum of two (2) years specifically in underwriting workers’ compensation insurance,  
  OR 
• High School diploma or GED and eight (8) years of insurance experience in the role of an underwriter, including a minimum of four (4) years specifically in underwriting workers’ compensation insurance, 
  OR
• Three (3) years as an MSF Underwriter II; or equivalent underwriting experience

AND

• Must have current Montana Workers’ Compensation Producer License or ability to obtain Montana Workers’ Compensation Producer License within 60 days of hire. 

Job location: This position requires some travel across the State of Montana to effectively engage with partners and stakeholders. While the position offers flexibility within Montana, candidates should anticipate travel throughout the state. 

Compensation and Benefits: Pay grade 3A-3B depending on qualifications and experience. Starting annual salary begins at $71,600- $99,300 per year. This is an exempt position. 

Montana State Fund offers excellent benefits, paid time off, and a competitive compensation program, including:

• Excellent health insurance with dental, vision, life, long-term disability and more, with optional dependent coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts for dependent care and medical expenses.
• Public employees’ retirement plan tax-deferred contributions with a generous employer match.
• Optional 457(b) deferred compensation to further increase retirement savings.
• Higher education reimbursement and other training and development programs.
• Robust personal leave, paid holidays, and extended leave.