AVP of Underwriting

Pinnacol Assurance does just one thing, and does it better than anyone: provide caring workers’ compensation protection to Colorado employers and employees. And while we may be a little biased, we believe that our work shapes communities and changes lives.

We have big hearts and love big ideas. We’ve been around for more than  100 years, but don’t let that fool you. Pinnacol is committed to taking care of Colorado employers and workers in the most innovative ways. We celebrate continuous improvement, new ideas, compassion, teamwork, integrity and excellence.

What you’ll do:

As the Associate VP of Underwriting, you will architect and execute the short- and long-term strategies for Underwriting (UW) and Customer Experience (CXP) to drive enterprise growth and achieve Pinnacol’s financial goals. You will guide the development of best-in-class programs, philosophies, and services, ensuring our competitive advantage by collaborating with cross-functional leaders and external partners to implement leading-edge marketplace practices. By modernizing technology to optimize operations and scale growth, you will position Pinnacol as a recognized leader in underwriting, customer experience and data-driven insights.

You are responsible for the intentional curation of an inclusive culture where a high-performance team of insurance professionals is empowered to thrive and grow. This includes establishing clear priorities, targets, and performance standards (metrics) while providing the feedback and calibration necessary to drive efficiency and deliver superior member value. Through your leadership, you will inspire high engagement to reach operational excellence, ensuring our underwriting and CXP disciplines remain agile and aligned with Pinnacol’s strategic priorities.

What you can expect:

• The following demonstrated leadership skills will be necessary to achieve success in this position;
  • Underwriting and Customer Experience Leadership
    • Strategic Architecture & Philosophy: Lead the development and implementation of best-in-class Underwriting strategies. This includes curating the philosophy, programs, and business processes that define Pinnacol’s marketplace standards and ensure long-term enterprise growth.
    • Operational Excellence & Accountability: Establish clear performance benchmarks and measurable outcomes to ensure accountability. Collaborate with business and discipline leaders to continuously improve standard work and consistency across all operations teams, driving operational efficiency and maximizing member value.
    • Market Innovation & Tech Modernization: Maintain a constant scan of the external environment to identify and deploy leading-edge technology, analytics, and industry best practices. Promote the adoption of AI solutions and collaborate with Information Services, Product, and Communications teams to develop and implement resources such as automation and algorithmic underwriting capabilities that modernize the risk-understanding and pricing process, and enhance team performance.
    • Stakeholder Relationships: Build critical external relationships to deeply understand stakeholder needs and expectations, allowing Pinnacol to anticipate future opportunities to add value for our members.
    • Cross-Functional Governance: Partner with Actuarial, Compliance, Marketing, and Executive leadership to guide pricing and underwriting governance. Oversee the delegation and audit of underwriting authority levels across the enterprise, using customer-driven insights to align business standards with the evolving needs of members and injured workers.
  • Operations Leadership
    • Operational Execution & Growth: Execute operational strategies in partnership with peers, business, and discipline leaders to achieve key financial and business objectives, including underwriting profit, growth, retention, and superior customer experience.
    • Culture & Talent Development: Lead and inspire a high-performance team by cultivating an inclusive culture where team members are empowered to thrive. Promote continuous learning and improvement to drive efficiency and best-in-class operational performance.
    • Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Partner with corporate compliance and discipline directors to maintain effective relationships with internal and external auditors, regulatory, legislative and governmental bodies, ensuring alignment with industry standards and ethical governance.
    • Strategic Product & Resource Management: Support the expansion of products and service offerings (e.g., Safety Services) to enhance Pinnacol’s market position. Prudently manage departmental resources and budgets in accordance with company policy and fiscal guidelines.
    • Span of Influence: Leverage extensive knowledge of insurance operations, business, and the marketplace to establish trusted influence across the organization and externally, particularly with agents.
• ADDITIONAL DUTIIES
  • Strategic Negotiation & Partnership: Establish and maintain robust relationships with strategic business partners. Demonstrate the ability to bargain and negotiate effectively to achieve enterprise goals while maintaining long-term partnership health.
  • Inclusive & Decisive Leadership: Exercise strong, decisive judgment while remaining open to new ideas. Balance an assertive, persuasive leadership style with active listening and a commitment to diverse perspectives.
  • Operational Agility: Navigate shifting business priorities with a balanced, action-oriented approach. Maintain the ability to move between independent and team-based decision-making, while remaining acutely aware of the downstream impact on stakeholders.
  • Performance Accountability & Candor: Use a systematic approach (such as project and time management) to finish complex tasks and follow through on plans. Manage performance challenges with a blend of candor and sensitivity, addressing tough business issues directly while supporting individual growth.

What you need to be successful:

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Seven or more years of insurance operations management experience with significant experience in underwriting. Professional insurance designation (e.g., CPCU) preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

• This role operates in a remote or in-person office environment, necessitating frequent communication, collaboration, and virtual or in-person meetings with multiple internal and external stakeholders. It requires the consistent use of a computer and other standard office equipment, which involves extended periods of sitting and screen time in either a remote or in-person setting.

We can’t do our work without people like you.
Our employees are extraordinary and committed to making a difference. Here’s some of the ways we show our appreciation.

• Our benefits go beyond the basics. You’ll get to choose from diverse benefit offerings for medical, dental and vision.
• We care about each other. We enjoy a positive, collaborative work environment. We are hard workers and high performers.
• We love who you are. We’re committed to creating a culture that deeply values differences, where everyone feels like they belong.
• Take a day (or 20!) off. Enjoy 20 paid days off your first full year plus 9 paid holidays.
• Take care of yourself. Sign up for unique wellness programs, including on-site, company-paid fitness facilities and classes
• Get your learning on. We promote a learning culture to help you master your current job and cultivate the skills of the future through a variety of on-site, online, and off-site professional development opportunities.
• Give back and get paid. Through our employee volunteer program, Pinnacol in Action, employees receive paid time off to volunteer with Colorado nonprofits.
• Share in our success. This role is eligible to participate in Pinnacol’s Executive Performance Plan.

When we find the right person, we try to put our best foot forward with an offer that excites you. We consider what you’d like to be paid, the skills and experience you bring, what similar jobs pay in the Denver area and make sure there’s equal pay for equal work among those you’ll be working with. The compensation amount for this role is targeted at $220,000 to $238,000. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including your experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed above.

Want to love your work? Apply today!

Pinnacol is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. To request assistance with the application process, please email recruiting_team@pinnacol

This posting will close 15 days after being published: March 14 2026