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.

Compensation Grade: F.SD100

Position to be based in Chicagoland area. Hybrid/work from home.

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Job Description Summary

Do you thrive in an environment where you can put your critical thinking and communication skills to work every day? Do you appreciate being able to contribute individually as well as collaboratively? Our Surety Underwriting team values initiative, the ambition to grow and learn, a broad skill set that includes everything from marketing to finance to risk analysis and a solutions focused approach. We’re technology savvy and highly motivated to grow our business with excellent career advancement opportunities. If you can see yourself as a member of our team, in a company that wants to grow in this space, then we want to know more about you!

Markets, manages and underwrites new, profitable surety business production, through direct and in person contact with select agencies or brokers. Drives profit and premium to meet financial goals and objectives through development, negotiation and execution of business plans. Collaborates with internal partners to extract new business from the agency force to review, quote, inspect and issue. Expands and enhances agency/company relationships for the purposes of writing new business. Under limited direction, underwrites accounts based on authority level granted to the role and underwriting appetite. Authority is granted based on experience and expertise.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

Monitors market conditions, competitive landscape, and confirms information gathered within market space. Researches risk, environment and factors necessary to win the account. Additional and more complex research may be required to appropriately assess more complex accounts.

Analyzes quality and quantity of risks underwritten and prepares reports accordingly. Accurately evaluates complex risk exposures and ensures review of financial documents, credit reports, bank and other underwriting documents.

Accepts, rejects, or modifies new commercial lines business to ensure profitability. Prices business according to company underwriting and pricing guidelines, and ensures standards for timelines are met. Reviews for acceptability and handles those within authority using company underwriting guidelines and standards.

Manages workflow and intricacies of underwriting more complex assigned work, utilizing company tools and systems to meet service level agreements. Ensures file handling quality and workflow efficiency with a thorough understanding of overall surety strategic direction and operating plans.

Key contributor to robust agency business development planning discussions. Develops annual DWP goals with assigned agents and develops plans in partnership with agents to achieve annual production goals.

Markets surety products to help drive agency and company results. Assists agency with strategies for pipeline management and to develop new business in targeted industries and preferred markets. Responds effectively to assess accounts and develop business propositions to win the business. Makes accurate assessments of future agency potential and is able to communicate/discuss the assessment with agency partners in a positive and professional manner.

Consults with agents, accounts and internal partners to resolve business issues and makes recommendations based on findings. Shares understanding of organizational capabilities and opportunities to drive maximum value of relationships. Consults regarding the appetite, acceptability, terms, conditions, pricing and sales techniques of large or complex accounts. Provides industry trend observations to leadership.

Effectively communicates with agencies to establish the company as the surety provider of choice for the territory. Communicates product, technology changes and company objectives. Communicates and collaborates actively with leadership to share industry trends and field underwriting experience.

Completes agency visits, as appropriate, to develop new accounts, service existing accounts, review agency performance and enhance agency relationship. Establishes and maintains strong business relationships with agencies, producers and key groups.

Leads delivery of appropriate customer service levels. Follows up and ensures proper handling of advanced customer service requests.

Ensures that tools, training and support are in place to positively impact success for assigned agencies. Identifies and communicates training needs and opportunities. Participates in program and product orientation meetings in conjunction with Sales/Marketing partners as the underwriting subject matter authority. Provides professional development knowledge and insight to team members. May help mentor new field underwriters and provide coaching.

Proven ability to manage heavy workload effectively and backup other team members as needed.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to manager or director. No direct reports.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate degree in business or a related field preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: Pursuit of technical insurance coursework such as AFSB is highly desirable.

Experience: Five years experience in surety underwriting preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Knowledge of Surety's overall strategic direction and plan, including goals and objectives to achieve profit and growth. Requires advanced knowledge on all aspects of surety underwriting practices, procedures, policies, and company Excellent interpersonal and sales skills, including ability to make presentations and meet with all levels of agency personnel. Ability to build and maintain cooperative and mutually rewarding internal and external partnerships. Must have the ability to perform duties with independent judgment with underwriting authority and company underwriting standards. Demonstrated decision making ability and strong drive for results.

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: Extended and/or non-standard work hours may be required as well as extensive travel in the field. May require the ability to relocate. 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.

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.

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 Sr Underwriter - Business Development - Surety : $72,000.00-$148,500.00

The expected starting salary range for Sr Underwriter - Business Development - Surety : $80,000.00 - $120,000.00