Associate Underwriter (Jan 2027 Class)

Company Overview

Recognized as a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplace for 14 consecutive years, including three years of being honored as number one! Join us at West Bend, where we believe that our associates are our greatest asset. We hire talented individuals who are conscientious, dedicated, customer focused, and able to build lasting relationships. We create and maintain an environment where you feel a sense of belonging and appreciation. Your diversity of thought, experience, and knowledge are valued. We’re committed to fostering a welcoming culture, offering you opportunities for meaningful work and professional growth. More than a workplace, we celebrate our successes and take pride in serving our communities.

Job Summary

The Associate Underwriter is a Commercial Enterprise role designed to build foundational insurance and underwriting knowledge through structured training, guided practice, and hands-on experience. The position begins within West Bend Express (WBE), where the associate evaluates assigned small market new business submissions while developing the judgment, technical skills, and agency relationships needed for future underwriting opportunities across Commercial Enterprise.

Work Location

This position is an in-office role located in West Bend or Madison WI. No remote opportunities for this position are available at this time.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Development and Onboarding

The Associate Underwriter participates in a structured onboarding experience within WBE that combines formal learning, practical application, coaching, and feedback. The program is intended to provide consistent foundational development while allowing associates to build confidence and progressively apply underwriting skills in day-to-day work.

• Complete assigned training and development activities.
• Apply learning through guided review of new business submissions and progressively more independent underwriting decisions.
• Partner with leaders, trainers, mentors, and underwriting colleagues to strengthen technical knowledge and decision-making.
• Demonstrate proficiency in underwriting fundamentals, systems, workflows, documentation, service, and agency communication.
• Prepare for future underwriting opportunities within Commercial Enterprise. Advancement and placement are based on demonstrated proficiency, business needs, and available opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Underwrite assigned Commercial Enterprise new business submissions, within the small market segment.
• Evaluate exposure, coverage needs, pricing considerations, and overall insurability in accordance with established appetite, guidelines, best practices, and Letter of Authority.
• Gather, review, and analyze underwriting information needed to make or support sound decisions.
• Communicate underwriting decisions, questions, and next steps clearly and professionally with agency partners.
• Support written premium, profitability, quality, and service goals through timely and accurate underwriting decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Document underwriting files with appropriate detail, rationale, and clarity.
• Use underwriting systems and workflow tools accurately and efficiently.
• Seek feedback, apply coaching, and demonstrate continued progress toward underwriting independence.
• Build productive agency relationships and cultivate West Bend culture and values in each interaction.
• Complete other duties and development activities as assigned.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Organizational and analytical skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Fluent in system navigation and workflow management tools.
• Ability to gather and analyze underwriting information.
• Enjoys relationship building and cultivating West Bend culture with external agents.

Preferred Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Insurance or related field. Or relevant experience.

Salary Statement

The salary range for this position is $53,459-$66,824.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal equity.  Compensation decisions are made by West Bend and are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. 

Benefits

West Bend offers a comprehensive benefit plan including but not limited to:  

• Medical & Prescription Insurance 

• Health Savings Account 

• Dental Insurance 

• Vision Insurance 

• Short and Long Term Disability 

• Flexible Spending Accounts 

• Life and Accidental Death & Disability  

• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance 

• Employee Assistance Program 

• 401(k) Plan with Company Match 

• Pet Insurance 

• Paid Time Off. Standard first year PTO is 17 days, pro-rated based on month of hire. Enhanced PTO may be available for experienced candidates

• Bonus eligible based on performance 

• West Bend will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for Colorado employees, in accordance with its plans and policies.

EEO

West Bend provides equal employment opportunities to all associates and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, and promotion.