Kiara Taylor

• Manage the profitability, growth, and retention of an assigned book of business in a high-volume, fast paced environment. Balance individual account underwriting within an assigned portfolio of business.
• Underwrite and skillfully negotiate property and casualty accounts to minimize risk and maximize profitability.
• Ensure underwriting quality and profitability through application of the appropriate level of underwriting analysis based on risk complexity to accept, decline, modify, or rate and quote accounts.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with internal partners within the business unit and across the enterprise to create sales plans and identify cross-selling opportunities.
• Foster and maintain relationships with external partners by regularly meeting in person with agents and brokers to market and sell Travelers products with a goal of writing and retaining accounts consistent with our risk appetite.
• Partner with Sales Executives to identify and write new business opportunities using consultative marketing and sales skills.
• Collaborate effectively with underwriting leadership

Underwriting and Pricing:

• Under direct supervision, underwrites and assesses risk and makes recommendations for less complex accounts in a market segment.

Distribution and Agency Management:

• Establishes effective relationships with customers, agents and brokers.

Sales:

• Develops consultative sales and marketing skills through their interaction with agents/brokers and via coaching from their manager.

Negotiation:

• Develops negotiation skills through their interaction with agents/brokers and via coaching from their manager.

Executes Strategy and Drives Results:

• Develops planning and organization skills necessary to effectively manage desk and assume a territory.

Business Planning and Collaboration:

• Effectively collaborates with others on all aspects of job.
• Understands the need to seek enterprise-wide solutions to business problems.

Leading Self:

• Takes initiative for personal development and seeks to learn through underwriting, marketing, and other related opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Actively manage multi-state, multi-line accounts throughout the lifecycle which could include rating/pricing, quoting and issuing policies as well as handling related account activity
• Contribute to a positive workplace culture by building and maintaining strong working relationships with business partners and agents
• Demonstrate a rich understanding of business processes by leveraging standardized workflows and state compliance guidelines
• Synthesize multiple sources of information to make sound decisions
• Exercise critical thinking and decision-making skills to be a trusted advisor solidifying customer confidence
• Make a difference to our customers by executing on service level commitments and delivering quality products in a timely manner.

• Analyzed the indicators that affected the Sephora business and coached team to delivering an amazing shopping experience for our clients
• Provided team with frequent coaching / feedback which set expectations with the team on what needed to be done and what successful performance looked like
• Analyzed business performance by reviewing reports and any other information to better understand how and why the business performed the way it did in an effort to take action to make a difference
• Actively supported the store's talent management process through sourcing, recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding
• Responsible for making visual merchandising decisions that drove sales and were visually stimulating.

• Managed, developed, and motivated non-exempt Associates through effective performance management and guidance
• Resolved elevated customer issues/inquires and collection account disputes
• Created recognition programs to motivate associates to achieve goals
• Tracked, measured and processed associate incentive
• Monitored associate productivity statistics and created reporting
• Reviewed and approved associate schedules and analyzed associate coverage to ensure scheduling met business needs
• Conducted live or recorded phone monitors/account audits to evaluate associates on quality of customer service provided, effectiveness of collection efforts, and compliance with company policies
• Effectively managed positive associate and peer relations
• Oversaw and conducted associate technical training and educated associates regarding CarMax philosophies
• Recruited, interviewed, made hiring decisions, and extended employment offers for staff
• Developed and conducted effective team meetings
• Analyzed and tracked trends based on data and recommend policy updates or changes.

• Effectively managed the performance of a team of 8 non-exempt associates, while supporting the management of other teams
• Created recognition strategies to motivate associates to achieve departmental metrics
• Monitored associate productivity statistics, conducted phone monitors and account audits to evaluate associate’s quality of customer service provided, effectiveness of collection efforts and compliance with company policies
• Completed month-end reviews with associates to provide performance updates
• Conducted associate technical training and educated associates regarding CarMax philosophies, policies and procedures
• Completed annual associate Performance Reviews and developed associate individual development plans
• Resolved elevated questions, concerns or account disputes from customers, CarMax Stores, or third party vendors.

• Managed the recruiting process by posting job openings, reviewing resumes, and scheduling interviews and interview rooms
• Assisted with onboarding process for all new hires including processing background checks and managing new hire paperwork
• Completed personnel file audit, set up new employee personnel files; maintained current employee personnel files
• Aided with HR policy and procedure audit, developed a tracking mechanism for current policies, recently updated policies and recommended policies
• Helped with open enrollment including attending benefit meetings and assisting employees with online enrollment
• Supported office administrator, training and communications team members as needed.

• Completed a group project where we researched and gave recommendations on how Travelers can improve employee retention by leveraging technology, social media, and diversity to retain the new generation of talent entering the workforce and increase empathy across diverse generational groups
• Analyzed, gathered, and researched data from the Construction industry to provide evidence and recommendations for opportunities of growth and improvement for the Construction business unit
• Designed a profile of accounts within the retail industry that fit the appetite of National Accounts in order to build a list of prospects for the National Accounts business unit
• Communicated with Account Executives and Account Managers within my assigned business unit as well as in different business units for opportunities to shadow and learn more about their roles and business unit practices.

• Completed appropriate online training and modules to gain knowledge of underwriting, Travelers, and the insurance industry
• Communicated with the Industry Edge group in home office to assist in researching the Broadcast industry and the risks associated with insuring business in this industry
• Analyzed and reviewed data by reading APPLE reports to identify agency production within Commercial Accounts
• Interviewed Sales Executives to inquire about potential business through agency relationships for Commercial Accounts.