If you’re passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them, as well as innovating and simplifying processes and operations to provide the best customer value, then Nationwide’s Property and Casualty team could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

Emerging Markets is a specialized department within the Alternative Risk & Emerging Markets organization. ESS Emerging Markets team is focused on the exploration and discovery of emerging risks and unmet customer needs that are strategically aligned to generate new sources of revenue by leveraging traditional and non-traditional partnerships. We are focused on creating current and future views of strategic market segments and industry verticals to help business partners make informed decisions on future product offerings and understand the impact of changing markets on current product sets.

In this position, you will be responsible for attracting, developing, and enhancing organizational offerings across all of ESS Underwriting Divisions and engaging on Enterprise efforts, as called upon, sometimes on a national scale. You will need the capability to recognize unique, potential connections and leverage Nationwide’s financial strength, brand value, operational excellence, world class underwriters, and strategic partnerships, to develop innovative solutions and create new sources of revenue.

This role will be accountable for the design, development and implementation of underwriting guidelines, rates, forms, procedures, operating models, distribution, and technology solutions. You will work with enterprise partners, InsureTech, program managers, agents, brokers, and other strategic partners to create and implement inorganic solutions. You will be responsible for leading major process modeling, analysis and design efforts and be instrumental in the development of compelling business cases to decision makers. You will direct the activities and staff responsible for providing business performance management, organizational design, and business risk management capabilities. You will be responsible for ensuring account authorizations are strategically aligned with the department. To be successful, you will need to build and maintain strong effective relationships with internal business liaisons, external program managers, agents, brokers, and internal key partners.

Pay band HSD170 (internal use)

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Job Description Summary

Are you a problem solver who can analyze highly complex risk and find insurance solutions that balance customer needs with business goals? If you can take initiative, use both your analytical and creative abilities to make sound decisions and have a desire to help people solve real challenges, we want to know more about you!

As the Director, you will be responsible for directing the management of your respective Programs operation functions. You'll provide leadership, direction, and development to underwriting staff and program managers. You'll direct the review of your Program lines of business, ensuring individual risks meet underwriting guidelines. You will direct the rates and form filings development process. You will be responsible for ensuring account authorizations meet program strategies of the department. In order to be successful, you will need to build and maintain strong effective relationships with internal business liaisons, external program managers, and other key partners. You will direct the communication of department initiatives and goals.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Drives the sales and underwriting relationship for complex Programs products and services. Responsible for establishment of program goals and metrics for the department; ensuring alignment with business scorecards. Provides department forecasting related to trends and profitability; takes action based on results as needed.

• Directs the program manager relationships/results, and recommends corrective action if necessary. Understands business needs and identifies new business opportunities.

• Reviews highly complex (e.g. including D&O, E&O, Employment Practices Liability, Medical Professional Liability, Contractual Liability, Cyber Liability, Shared and Layered Property, General Liability, Excess, auto, Recreation Marine, Energy, Environmental, Inland Marine, Warranty and Workers Compensation) individual risks, programs, or referrals within assigned vertical from program managers and declines or accepts business based upon information necessary to make the decision. Some of the risks could be multinational or have alternative arrangements in place that make them unique. Approves accounts which exceed underwriting staff/program managers authority due to level of complexity, premium, class of business or coverage provided.

• Administers and participates in discussions with reinsurers per department guidelines verifying the appropriate use of all reinsurance facilities used by the department, including various treaty, semi-automatic and facultative reinsurance. Maintains good working relationship with reinsurers.

• Directs the development, implementation and monitoring of underwriting guidelines, rates, forms, product endorsements and procedures. Monitors and approves the preparation of rates, forms, and endorsement filings and authorizes the use of such rates, forms, and endorsements.

• Interacts with various business partners (i.e. claims, actuary, compliance, etc.) to achieve company goals and objectives. Communicates department program initiatives and goals. Builds alignment within and across Nationwide.

• Directs the audit of individual risks/programs for compliance with company guidelines, state regulations and reinsurance conditions. Development and implementation of specific action plans may be required. Ensures that advanced questions have been resolved.

• Independently establishes and maintains effective relationships with program managers in order to generate growth and profitably. Travels to existing and potential program managers offices, as required for marketing visits. Frequently entertains program managers to market services and ensure strong relationships to write business.

• Accountable for identifying new program opportunities, facilitating all steps involved in the due diligence process and making recommendations to senior management on new opportunities. Responsible for the implementation of all new programs from development of underwriting guidelines, form/rate filings, compliance/regulatory matters, finance, reinsurance, claims, legal, accounting, actuarial and marketing matters to ensure proper program integration.

• Attends industry functions to promote E&S/S Programs brand and capabilities of the programs team in order to help identify new program business opportunities.

• Directs the management of the E&S/S Programs operation functions. Directs the development of department guidelines, policies, procedures, and standard methodologies. Directs associate management including: performance management, salary planning and administration, training and development, workflow and organizational planning, hiring and placement, and disciplinary actions.

• Maintains knowledge of insurance regulations; provides consulting regarding legislation that impacts the organization.

May Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to AVP

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate studies with focus in Finance, Accounting Economics, and/or Risk Management. Graduate degree preferred.

Experience: Typically eight or more years related experience as a Professional, Financial and/or Specialty lines underwriter. Leadership experience in management and professional liability lines of business is preferred. Proven ability to supervise, train, motivate employees and set work priorities. Experience in the technical aspects of data management, imaging and procedures and processes helpful.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: In-depth knowledge of Professional, Financial, and/or Specialty lines underwriting policies, practices and procedures, insurance law and underwriting marketing principles and techniques. In-depth knowledge of financial documents, financial analysis, investments, market conditions essential. Legal knowledge related to insurance, contract and business law preferred. Comprehensive knowledge of employment principles and practices.

Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with internal/external business partners at all levels. Ability to work with the wholesale brokerage distribution system. Demonstrated advanced skills to influence and negotiate with internal/external business partners at all levels. Must possess interpersonal savvy and well-developed program leadership ability. Must have the ability to manage large programs; develop and apply innovative strategic approaches to program initiatives and problem solutions. Must be able to analyze and interpret mathematical, statistical and logical data and evaluate its reliability and significance. Proven ability to analyze highly complex insurance risks to determine acceptability including policy language, various commercial and alternative rating plans and methodologies, reinsurance. Must have strong project and process management skills. Must have ability to evaluate, analyze and devise solutions to complex programs; implement the most appropriate business solution and monitor the effectiveness. Ability to support numerous internal/external business partners and make decisions that reflect the goals of the company, both financially and ethically. Ability to build and maintain a high level of customer trust and confidence. Must have ability to direct operations functions. Ability to establish department objectives and lead, direct, and develop staff. Ability to apply/learn job related software.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and HR Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Ability to travel locally and overnight for client meetings as needed.

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 06/20/2024. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.

Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.

This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states.Smoke-Free Iowa Statement: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas on or around company premises as well as company issued vehicles. The company offers designated smoking areas in which smoking is permitted at each individual location. The Act prohibits retaliation for reporting complaints or violations. For more information on the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, individuals may contact the Smokefree Air Act Helpline at 888-944-2247.
For NY residents please review the following state law information: Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations LS740 (ny.gov) https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/02/ls740_1.pdfNationwide pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement within the actual starting salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. If a Sales job, Sales Incentives, based on performance goals are possible in addition to this range.The national salary range for Director, Program Underwriting - E&S/Specialty : $126,000.00-$242,000.00The expected starting salary range for Director, Program Underwriting - E&S/Specialty : $136,000.00 - $204,000.00