[Associate] Director, Underwriting

[Associate] Director, Underwriting

Branch is on a mission to make insurance less expensive, so more people can be covered. We innovate using data, tech, and automation to simplify insurance from start to finish—we eliminated inaccurate quotes in favor of real prices, created a better way to bundle, and cut unnecessary costs in the traditional insurance process. Then we pass those savings along to our members. Basically, we’re doing insurance the way it was meant to be.

But we didn’t just create the insurance we’ve always wanted, we also created the company we’ve always wanted to work for. As we redefine insurance, we also want to redefine what it means to work in insurance. Find out for yourself.

Branch has a preference for candidates in Ohio, but is open to candidates located in AL, AZ, CT, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS. MO, NE, NV, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WI.

Branch is remote first, with most Branchers choosing to work from home. Our headquarters are located in Columbus, Ohio, where we come together from time to time to build relationships and connect with each other in real life. Once a year, the entire company gathers for “BranchFest”, a highlight of the year for many Branchers.

About the Director, Underwriting role

The Director, Underwriting Practices is a senior leader within Branch's Product organization, reporting to the VP, Head of Insurance Product. This role sets the strategic direction for the Underwriting Practices function, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals, regulatory standards, and Branch's growth strategy.

The Director is responsible for shaping a high-performing function that delivers scalable, data-informed underwriting practices. They are accountable for overseeing the full portfolio of current and future underwriting initiatives, ranging from automation strategies to risk philosophy evolution, and ensuring these initiatives are designed and executed for enterprise-wide impact.

Through close collaboration with Product, Technology, Data, Member Experience, and Agency teams, the Director drives system and process innovations that strengthen Branch's competitive advantage, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the member experience. This role also serves as a key thought partner to executive leadership, advising on underwriting strategy, lifecycle impacts, and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads the strategic direction and execution of the Underwriting Practices function, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals, regulatory requirements, and market competitiveness.

• Manages, develops, and mentors team members and cross-functional partners, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Owns the enterprise-level portfolio of underwriting initiatives, including automation strategies, risk appetite frameworks, and underwriting philosophy, ensuring initiatives deliver measurable business value.

• Prioritizes and allocates resources across multiple, high-impact underwriting projects, balancing short-term deliverables with long-term strategic objectives.

• Oversees the creation of implementation, change management, and enterprise communication plans for underwriting initiatives spanning people, processes, and technology.

• Champions business requirements and process governance, ensuring documentation is comprehensive, future-proof, and aligned with regulatory and operational standards.

• Serves as the executive-level liaison to Product, Technology, and Data teams, shaping product roadmaps, influencing development priorities, and ensuring successful delivery of underwriting capabilities.

• Evaluates end-to-end policy lifecycle impacts of strategic initiatives, proactively engaging senior stakeholders to ensure holistic, business-wide integration.

• Monitors, evaluates, and reports on the performance of underwriting practices at a functional level, identifying opportunities for scalability, automation, and innovation.

• Acts as the executive sponsor for Member and Agency-facing enablement related to underwriting changes, ensuring consistent messaging, adoption, and performance outcomes.

• Establishes enterprise-wide best practices for underwriting, including adherence frameworks, monitoring mechanisms, and performance metrics.

• Partners with Technology, QA, and Data teams to design and approve test strategies that validate functional and financial outcomes of underwriting initiatives.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

Experience & Leadership

• 7+ years of progressive experience in P&C Personal Lines insurance underwriting, product, or agency, with demonstrated leadership in shaping underwriting strategy and driving operational excellence.

• 5+ years in people leadership, including managing other leaders and building high-performing, scalable teams.

• Proven track record of setting functional vision and translating it into actionable strategies, priorities, and initiatives that materially advance underwriting capabilities.

Strategic & Cross-Functional Influence

• Extensive experience leading enterprise-level, cross-functional initiatives, aligning underwriting strategy with Product, Claims, Legal, and Technology teams.

• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and navigate competing priorities to achieve business outcomes.

• Expertise in governance of underwriting practices, including risk appetite frameworks, compliance alignment, and market competitiveness.

Business & Technical Expertise

• Mastery in writing and reviewing business requirements, use cases, and strategic project charters for high-impact initiatives.

• Advanced experience with product delivery methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid) and the ability to select and scale approaches based on business needs.

• Proficient in strategic use of task/project management tools (Asana, Jira, Clubhouse) to oversee multi-team execution.

• Skilled in technology ticketing/work management platforms for prioritization, roadmap planning, and product lifecycle oversight.

Analytical & Process Excellence

• Ability to diagnose process inefficiencies at the functional level and implement data-driven, scalable solutions.

• Strong command of underwriting-related technology capabilities and their integration into workflow optimization.

• Comfortable with financial modeling, performance metrics, and ROI analysis to support strategic decision-making.

Communication & Change Leadership

• Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate vision, drive alignment, and inspire teams.

• Skilled facilitator and presenter to both technical and executive audiences.

• Experienced in leading change management initiatives that improve adoption and outcomes.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in business, risk management, or related field preferred, or equivalent work experience.
  

Why join us at Branch?

We’re all about getting back to getting each other’s back—that means Branchers, too. So we provide benefits that let you work and live to your fullest.

• Above-market salary—Branch is a data-driven company, so we do the math on salaries, too. If you get an offer from Branch, you can expect compensation that hits above the mark.

• Pay equity and transparency—Our pay isn’t just above market, it’s equitable. We let experience and performance drive your success, never your gender, race, orientation, or beliefs.

• Remote-first (with perks)—Work from where you’re most comfortable. We’ll take care of your work from home set-up and monthly internet. We also have a Columbus headquarters if you’d like to join us in an office.

• Flexible YouTime—We don’t just let you control your own time off. We actually encourage you to use it. After your first year at Branch, we’ll give you $1000 toward your next vacation.

• Employee stock options—You’re not just an employee. If you’re full-time, you’re also a part-owner. You’ll have stock options so you can invest in the company you’re helping to grow.

• Medical, vision, dental—Get all the coverage you need for a healthy, happy life.

• 401k and contribution matching—Invest in your future. Branch helps you get to retirement on time with a portion of your contributions matched each month.

What to expect

In light of recent hiring scams across the United States, here’s what the process will look like with Branch (so you know it’s us):

• Please apply to open positions directly through our site. If you don’t see it here, then it shouldn’t exist on another job board. If you’re ever unsure about the legitimacy of a Branch job posting found on another site, please check the listings here to verify.

• If you're selected to move onto the next phase of the hiring process, a member of our Branch talent team will reach out to you directly from the email domain @ourbranch.com to guide you through our process.

• The process will include a number of interviews, which will all happen either over the phone or on video calls.

• We will never ask for personal payment or require you to purchase equipment during our interview process. Always be sure to protect your personal information.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

At Branch, we are deeply committed to community. Branch is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants and/or employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to the individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.