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.

The Agribusiness Team is hiring for two Middle Market Commercial Lines Underwriting positions. One underwriter will focus on traditional ag accounts, and one will focus on food and beverage accounts. The person in the role(s) can work remotely or if near the Des Moines, IA office in a hybrid environment.

Compensation Grade: G4

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Job Description Summary

For associates whose primary focus is MM accounts - Underwrites the largest, most complex or unique MM commercial lines accounts, both new and renewal, and drives market development, profit and premium objectives. Provides service to agents on all accounts underwritten, working independently, with field territory management and other underwriting and service personnel. Acts in a leadership capacity to develop, underwriting initiatives, agency management and team capabilities. Highest level of underwriting authority on account underwriting and pricing based on expertise and focus. Acts as a technical resource to Commercial Lines Underwriting team members on product line or market segment, providing guidance on regulatory issues, specific risks, policy forms, underwriting appetite and guidelines.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducts detailed research on all aspects of a product line or market segment to help make policy and practice decisions. Gathers information from multiple sources according to company guidelines, in order to perform underwriting analysis. May require gathering verbal information or data through reports or other electronic means. May research issues in support of unit objectives and participate on committees or special projects.

• Analyzes quality and quantity of risks underwritten and prepares reports accordingly. May review agency books of business as well as profit/growth results and trends to recommend and implement action plans. May perform portfolio analysis or additional underwriting analysis in support of unit objectives. Analyzes regional underwriting performance experience, identifies problems on a territory level and proposes action plan to address/rectify those situations.

• Manages larger, more complex work that requires working with and through others to meet overall project timelines and maximize workflow. Manages referral underwriting, which have been escalated from other underwriting staff, and provides suggested decision or approach. Ensures file handling quality and workflow efficiency. Assists in managing work inventories within the unit. Helps ensure appropriate workflow for unit and department by providing subject matter expertise to resolve issues.

• Underwrites new business, renewals and endorsements for middle market accounts. Decisions at this level may require review of additional variables, leveraging agency, sales and underwriting relationships, inspection reports and evaluation of exceptions. Reviews for acceptability and handles those within authority using company underwriting guidelines and standards. May assist manager in performing audits including corporate, underwriting, agency and self audits. Highest level underwriting authority and decision-making.

• Plans completion of assignments to meet agreed upon timelines and service level agreements. Provides input and feedback regarding operational business plan. Coordinates account service plans from loss control and claims.

• Proactively identifies and drives opportunities for business development and issues resolution through consulting with agents and internal partners. Understands organizational capabilities and opportunities to drive maximum value of relationships. Provides technical expertise to underwriting associates and agents. Advises on the underwriting of larger, more complex, and/or unusual business to determine acceptability, terms, conditions, pricing and sales techniques. Counsels commercial underwriting on the interpretation of issues regarding policy contracts, legislation, rules and standards. Provides industry trend observations to leadership.

• Communicates with agents and other internal and external business partners by requesting and providing requested information. Helps digest and communicate technical requirements. Consolidates and summarizes product and underwriting changes.

• Strengthens internal and external relationships through regular contact on underwriting matters, promoting profit and new business growth, renewal retention and service capabilities. May participate in the review and analysis of agency performance. May act in a consultant role for all large accounts and participate in agency/insured visits to discuss profitability initiatives in conjunction with Claims and Loss Control representatives.

• Oversees and facilitates appropriate customer service levels. Follows up on and ensures proper handling of escalated customer service requests.

• Educates internal and external partners on underwriting process, practice and tools. Helps train less experienced underwriting staff. Coordinates, participates and/or leads training development or delivery as a subject matter expert. Identifies and communicates training needs and opportunities. May develop and deliver training within the unit. Provides technical underwriting and/or mentoring as needed.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Manager/Director. Typically no direct reports.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: Completion of INS, AU or similar designations with progress toward CIC and/or CPCU is preferred.

Experience: Typically ten years of progressively responsible commercial lines middle market underwriting experience

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Commercial underwriting policy, practices and procedures. Rating plans and plan concepts. State and Federal insurance laws and regulations. Commercial insurance processing systems. Working knowledge of company operations and products. Sales, claims, service center, property/casualty field operations, loss control principles and legal issues involving knowledge of commercial contracts.

Verbal and written communication skills used to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts. Ability to manage and train associates in all aspects of commercial underwriting activity. Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing situations. Ability to set work priorities that conform to established standards. Ability to analyze insurance risks, apply logical judgment and utilize procedures effectively. Able to operate PC and applicable business 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 the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Occasional travel may be required to travel to client or meeting locations. Extended or non-standard work hours as required to meet business need. Must have a valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards.

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 08/23/2024. 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 Consultant, Middle Market Underwriting - Commercial Lines : $93,000.00-$192,000.00The expected starting salary range for Consultant, Middle Market Underwriting - Commercial Lines : $103,000.00 - $155,000.00