Description:

Job Description:
This is an opportunity to join Ascot Group - one of the world's pre-eminent specialty risk underwriting organizations. We are a modern era insurance group operating through an ecosystem of interconnected global operating platforms and bound by a common mission and purpose. We utilize every aspect of our global business as part of a unified system aligned around common underwriting, product and distribution strategies.

Designed as a modern-era company operating through an ecosystem of interconnected global operating platforms, we're bound by a common mission and purpose: One Ascot. Our greatest strength is a talented team who flourish in a collaborative, inclusive, and entrepreneurial culture, steeped in underwriting excellence, integrity, and a passion to find a better way, The Ascot Way.

The Ascot Way guides our people and our organization. Our underwriting platforms collaborate to find creative ways to deploy our capital in a true cross-product and cross-platform approach. These platforms work as one, deploying our capital creatively through our unique Fusion Model: Client Centric, Risk Centric, Technology Centric.

Built to be resilient, Ascot maximizes client financial security while delivering bespoke products and world class service — both pre- and post-claims. Ascot exists to solve for our clients' brightest tomorrow, through agility, collaboration, resilience, and discipline.

Position Summary:
The Underwriting Counsel position is an attorney role that works with the Senior Underwriting Counsel and underwriting leaders to draft all policy wordings and related documents for all lines of business written by Ascot in the United States, which includes, among others, Professional Liability, General Liability, Management Liability, Crime, Cyber, Environmental, Inland Marine, Property, Ocean Marine, and Trade Credit. The Underwriting Counsel will serve as the legal subject matter expert for Ascot insurance products, including monitoring evolving insurance coverage caselaw, developing policy wording, and counseling the Business on underwriting intent, coverage, alternative risk structures, and product compliance matters. As part of the US Product Development team, this role will also assist in the maintenance, filing, and implementation of all Surplus lines and Admitted products. This is an exciting opportunity for a go-getter who can be successful in a fast-paced environment, is able to balance multiple daily priorities, and is excited to be exposed to all aspects of commercial specialty insurance. You'll be a part of a highly collaborative Legal and Regulatory Compliance team where your contribution is crucial to the ambitious goals of this fast-growing US Business Unit.

Responsibilities:

Work both independently and with the Senior Underwriting Counsel to collaborate with underwriters and draft clear and accurate new and amended insurance policy wordings, forms, endorsements, applications, and related documents
Opportunity to oversee and manage legal aspects of the product filing process, including responding to state Department of Insurance objections and drafting state-specific endorsements and wordings
Review alternative distribution and Program opportunities from a products standpoint and advise on necessary changes to or creation of policy documents in line with Ascot's underwriting appetite
Advise underwriters with risk analysis by offering coverage and wordings analysis and other legal related advice
Stay up-to-date on current and emerging underwriting risk and coverage trends
Work with stakeholders to embrace "Plain English" wordings that are easy for customers and brokers to understand, without detracting from their legal precedence, meaning or significance
Work closely with the Actuarial, Operations, Reinsurance, Underwriting, and Claims departments to implement new products in Ascot's IT systems, including the drafting and review of business and technical requirements for policy form implementation and behavior

Experience And Skills Required:

Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school and Bar admission in good standing
Minimum of 7 years of relevant insurance coverage, wordings, and/or claims experience, including direct interaction with clients and/or internal stakeholders
Background in US commercial casualty and specialty insurance markets
Excellent communication (both written and verbal), organizational and time-management skills.
Proven skills managing/participating in cross-departmental efforts, and the knowledge to collaboratively work until a matter is resolved, as opposed to waiting for others to advance an effort
A self-starter, who is comfortable working independently and “rolling up their sleeves” or in leading or playing a part on collaborative teams
Ability to quickly adapt and learn new areas that might fall outside his/her scope of experience.
The successful candidate will have an ability to act independently, to think matters through fully and drive them as close to completion as possible seeking guidance as appropriate
Strong desire to learn and gain exposure to other legal and business areas
Location near one of our office locations for hybrid working model required, and location in the general northeastern tri-state area preferred

Compensation:
Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to experience, subject matter expertise, and skills. The base pay is just one component of Ascot's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual cash bonus, and other forms of discretionary compensation awarded by the Company.

The annualized base pay range for this role is: $170,000 - $190,000

Company Benefits
The Company provides a competitive benefits package that includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):
Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, AD&D, Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program), and more.

Leave Benefits: Paid holidays, annual Paid Time Off (includes paid state /local paid leave where required), Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, Other leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, Adoption, Maternity, Military, Primary & Non-Primary Caregiver)

Please be aware that Ascot Group's job opportunities will be posted on our official careers page. All official communication comes from @ascotgroup.com email addresses, if you receive a job offer or recruitment communication from Ascot Group that you suspect might be fraudulent, do not hesitate to contact us directly to verify its legitimacy. We will never ask for payment or sensitive personal information during any stage of the recruitment process. Your privacy and trust are of utmost importance to us, and we strive to ensure that you have a positive experience with Ascot Group.

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