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.

This Director, Middle Market Commercial Underwriting – Agribusiness will lead the Traditional Agribusiness Underwriting Team.  The person in this role will work in a SuccessFlex environment working both in the Des Moines office and remotely if in the Des Moines area.  Will consider candidates for fully remote work in areas outside of Des Moines.

Qualified candidates will have strong technical underwriting background in agribusiness/farm, middle market commercial and/or E&S.  Prior people leadership experience is also required.

Compensation Band:  H4

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Job Description Summary

For directors whose primary focus is MM accounts - Drives profitable underwriting results through leadership, development and engagement. Directs resources to deliver quality, timely underwriting decisions in support of the business. Proactively identifies issues, ideas and makes recommendations to profitably grow the business.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

Establishes research objectives and practice standards for the department. Ensures that methodologies and outcomes meet business and strategic objectives.

Leads identification of organizational needs that require analysis and directs department in completion. Sets expectations and standards of practice for analysis. Ensures compliance to legal requirements and organizational, business and strategic objectives.

Determines project priorities and workflow standards for the department. Monitors and manages performance measurements to ensure effectiveness of the department's service delivery process. Effectively aligns organizational structure to drive business needs.

Directs pricing standards and practice for department. Provides recommendations to leadership regarding underwriting strategy and opportunity. Measures and manages underwriting processing and quality. Actively manages and participates in agency management and participates in agency reviews.

Translates strategic plans into organizational direction. Creates business plans, goals, budget and timelines to meet company standards. Directs associates and provides performance management, salary planning and administration, organizational planning, hiring and placement, and disciplinary actions.

Consults with all levels of internal and external partners regarding policy and practice. Provides input into strategic and business plans and helps identify operational opportunities and efficiencies.

Communicates strategic direction and operational plans to internal associates and external partners.

Develops effective internal and external collaborative partnerships across all customers and related functions, including: Claims, Marketing, IT, etc. to understand business developments and build a support network to help resolve business needs.

Develops customer service standards for department. Drives customer service performance to established standards.

Determines and ensures delivery of training and development based on individual and department needs. Coaches, develops and provides feedback to associates. Directs education of internal and external partners and key organizational groups regarding underwriting practice, goals and strategies.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Regional Vice President (RVP) or Underwriting Officer. Direct Reports:  Multiple CL Underwriting Managers for assigned states. 

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education:  Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience. MBA in business or a related field is preferred.

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

Experience:  Typically ten years of commercial lines underwriting experience, middle market experience preferred. Significant business management and people leadership experience desired.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:  Requires knowledge of property/casualty insurance operations and products, procedures and practices; commercial lines of insurance including credit-collections, rating, loss control and related functions; and commercial lines customer environment and markets. Requires extensive knowledge of commercial property/casualty case underwriting best practices, field underwriting operations and day-to-day underwriting operational needs. Familiarity with other company products preferred.

Ability to set strategic goals and priorities. Demonstrated decision-making ability required in day-to-day operations where there may be unclear or competing priorities, including evaluating and recommending solutions to customer service issues, work processing issues, underwriting selection and rating problems, and best practices compliance. Ability to reach a solution in situations where there may be multiple options or competing priorities. Strong analytical skills and drive for results. Skilled communicator with strong people leadership, engagement and development skills.

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.

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 12/20/2024. 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.pdf

Nationwide 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, Middle Market Underwriting - Commercial Lines : $121,000.00-$233,000.00

The expected starting salary range for Director, Middle Market Underwriting - Commercial Lines : $131,000.00 - $197,000.00