Description

Pay Philosophy 

The typical starting salary for this position is determined by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, acquired skills, experience, education, and certifications/designations. This position may be eligible for annual merit increases and participation in our bonus program.

What are we looking for?

Columbia Insurance is searching for an E & S Operations Manager. The Operations Manager will manage the daily activities of Ozark Specialty’s underwriting support and operational advocate teams. This role ensures consistent execution of business processes, supports compliance and billing functions, and drives continuous improvement in service delivery. The manager will work closely with the VP of Excess & Surplus to implement strategic initiatives and foster a high-performing, customer-focused team culture.

This is a hybrid position that may work out of the following branch locations:

• Atlanta, GA
• Austin, TX
• Columbia, MO
• Omaha, NE

Who we are and what we do?

Here at Columbia Insurance, we believe that our employees are our greatest asset. Which is why our robust employee benefits and fun, family-like culture is something we pride ourselves on. Our commitment to our mission revolves around building and maintaining enduring relationships with our customers, and the only way to achieve that is by bringing together a team of skilled, passionate, and talented individuals.

Why us?

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401(k) and company match
• Generous paid time off (PTO), paid company holidays, paid maternity/paternity leave, and supplemental sick leave
• Family-like culture
• Year-round wellness initiatives
• Company sponsored events
• Opportunities for professional development with conferences, events, and continued education

Company History

Our legacy has roots back to 1889 when we first became part of the mutual insurance movement in the Midwest. Today, our extensive heritage resonates nationwide, as we proudly serve customers in 14 states across the country.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

•  Supervise and coach assistant underwriters and operational advocates to ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality support for underwriting and agent-facing operations.
• Coordinate onboarding and training programs for team members, ensuring alignment with Ozark Specialty’s operational standards, business processes, compliance, reporting, and best practices.
• Monitor daily workflows and service levels, identifying and resolving bottlenecks or inefficiencies in collaboration with the Director.
•  Support the development and refinement of policy systems and tools in partnership with internal departments and external vendors.
• Prepare reports and make recommendations to Senior Leadership that identifies enhancements to team performance, process improvements, and operational metrics.
• Conduct periodic audits and reviews to ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements. Report to leadership with recommendations for improvements. Serve as a liaison with Accounting and Billing teams to address operational questions and ensure smooth customer billing processes.
• Contribute to cross-functional initiatives with Columbia Insurance colleagues to enhance agency partner experiences.
• Evaluate and promote professional development and continuous learning within the team, including insurance education and certifications.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Enforce Company policies and procedures.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+years of experience in property and casualty (P/C) insurance industry, with a focus of insurance operations or underwriting support.
• Demonstrated experience with strong technical underwriting knowledge and skills.
• Proven ability to lead, train, and develop teams in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
•  Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced knowledge of insurance principles, rates, rules, forms, procedures, regulations, coverages and business processes, including ISO-based commercial classification codes.
• Ability to analyze complex administrative or business problems, evaluate alternatives, and make appropriate recommendations
• Experience with process improvement and change management initiatives.
• Ability to travel up to 25%

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

•  Insurance certifications or designations (e.g., AINS, CPCU, etc.).
• Familiarity with surplus lines underwriting and the independent agency model.

EOE

Columbia Insurance prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are unable to complete the electronic application for any reason, please contact Mandi Giboney: [email protected] 573-777-4087