Underwriting Operations Manager

Branch is on a mission to make insurance more accessible, 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. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

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. We also have office space in Columbia and Concordia, Missouri as well as Forreston, Illinois. Once a year, the entire company gathers for “BranchFest”, a highlight of the year for many Branchers.

About the Underwriting Operations Manager role

The Underwriting Operations Manager reports to the VP, Head of Insurance Product in Branch’s Product organization. This role is accountable for the execution of Underwriting practice at a policy level in the segments managed by the team, leading a team of Underwriting Operations Specialists in priority and process. The Underwriting Operations Manager is responsible for bringing Branch’s Underwriting Practice to life in execution; leading the most complex policy-level workstreams, such as property inspection decisioning, post-claim underwriting action and Correct Classification Projects. They should be tenacious in their quest for quality, efficiency and continuous improvement of the underwriting function execution at Branch.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads and develops a high-performing team of Underwriting Operations Specialists, setting clear expectations, fostering accountability, and building a culture of trust and continuous growth.

• Shapes and refines underwriting operational processes, ensuring they are well-documented, scalable, and aligned to Branch’s philosophy, appetite, and practices.

• Partners closely with the Underwriting Practices team to translate strategic direction into operational execution that supports business goals.

• Analyzes workload trends, policy action rates, and operational metrics to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, automation, and capability enhancement—presenting data-backed recommendations to leadership.

• Oversees quality, SLA, and communication standards, proactively addressing performance gaps and implementing corrective actions where needed.

• Drives a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring operational protocols evolve with business needs and industry best practices.

• Manages relationships with third-party service providers, ensuring service levels meet Branch’s underwriting support objectives and representing Branch’s needs in vendor strategy discussions.

• Serves as an escalation point for complex or ambiguous policy scenarios, exercising sound judgment within authority and modeling effective decision-making for the team.

• Balances day-to-day task delivery with intentional talent development, coaching individuals to take on greater scope and impact.

• 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

• Extensive industry experience: 5+ years in P&C Personal Lines insurance underwriting, product, or agency, with proven success in delivering operational and business outcomes.

• Leadership track record: 2+ years in roles accountable for operational processing, corrective action, or project enablement, with demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive accountability, and achieve sustained results.

• People leadership capability: Preferred experience managing teams, including full-cycle hiring, onboarding, performance coaching, and career development.

• Cross-functional influence: Proven ability to collaborate across multiple teams and departments to align on priorities, solve complex problems, and deliver shared goals.

• Advanced communication skills: Strong oral, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to facilitate discussions, lead training, and present to diverse audiences, including senior stakeholders.

• Operational analytics and decision-making: Comfort with workload management reporting, interpreting metrics, and using data to inform decisions; experience driving process automation initiatives.

• Adaptability in ambiguity: Thrives in evolving environments; able to set direction and execute effectively with limited structure.

• Continuous improvement mindset: Instinctively identifies process gaps and proposes innovative, data-backed solutions that drive efficiency and scalability.

• Technical fluency: Solid understanding of technology’s role in underwriting operations, including experience with workflow automation, task management, and policy administration systems.

• Education: Four-year college degree or equivalent professional experience desired

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 market-driven, 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.