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: E3 Payband

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Job Description Summary

Success on our team requires a blend of customer service skill and analytical prowess. There’s no shying away from challenges here. Each account we work on is complex and interesting. Satisfaction comes from finding solutions that provide the best coverage and give our partner agents a way to differentiate themselves from the competition. If you are adaptable, responsive, love customers and really want to make a difference, we want to hear from you!

As a Senior Underwriter, you'll accept, retain and price moderate to high exposure new, renewal and endorsement commercial business policies based on granted authority. We'll count on you to provide other underwriting technical support, too. You'll work within broad limits of authority on underwriting assignments of varied complexity. You'll have opportunities to provide guidance and assistance to less experienced underwriters and other functional areas. In addition, you'll partner with assigned agencies and field sales underwriters to consult on and develop business opportunities.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

Takes ownership and gathers information from multiple sources, according to company guidelines and strategic initiatives, to perform underwriting analysis.

Independently reviews individual risks for acceptability and exercises judgement and discretion within appetite and authority level, based on company underwriting guidelines and industry standards.

Handles workflow and intricacies of underwriting to maintain expected service level goals. Exhibits proficient use of company tools and systems.  Ensures file handling quality and workflow efficiency for a best-in-class customer experience. 

May lead larger, more complex project work that requires focused business partner collaboration, working with and through others, to meet overall project timelines.  May assist in managing work inventories within the unit.

Underwrites new business, renewals, and endorsements with a portfolio management viewpoint. Decisions at this level may require review of additional variables, using agency relationships, inspection reports and evaluation of exceptions, which may include utilizing available reports and data.  

Will negotiate price and coverage as appropriate to the book of business based on various business strategies and underwriting tools. 

Completion of assignments to meet agreed upon timelines and service level agreements, as well as projects of increased complexity, which may include utilizing available reports and data.

Proactively consults and collaborates with external and internal partners to resolve business issues and projects of moderate complexity requiring more discernment or robust solutions.

Understands and tactically drives strategic initiatives within the business unit. 

Understands organizational capabilities and opportunities to drive maximum value of relationships. 

Identifies and drives opportunities for business development, growth, and retention. 

Strengthens agency experience through proactive and quality contact on underwriting matters, promoting profit and new business growth, renewal retention and service capabilities. 

Is solution oriented and will solve problems in a first-time final manner.  

Participates in the review and analysis of agency business performance by utilizing analytical tools to help make data driven business decisions and strengthening the overall portfolio of the business units’ book of business.     

Responds to requests from external and internal partners with resolution within established time and service standards to facilitate and expedite service needs. Will own problems or issues as they arise.  When needed will route calls and higher-level issues to appropriate individuals.

Educates internal and external partners on underwriting process, practice, and tools. Helps train and mentor less experienced underwriting staff. May participate in training development or delivery as a subject matter authority.  

Delivers peer to peer feedback and coaching to associates when appropriate.   

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to supervisor or manager; 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, three years of underwriting experience or related business experience preferred. Experience leading or working on complex projects and teams preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills: Commercial underwriting policy, practices, and procedures. Rating plans and plan concepts. State and federal insurance laws and regulations. Commercial insurance processing systems. Solid understanding of company operations and products. Verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts. Ability to evaluate and recommend solutions to work-related problems. Ability to analyze insurance risks to determine the degree of acceptability and pricing. Effective time management skills and competencies preferred. Ability to operate personal computer and related software. Ability to advise agents and agency staff on commercial contracts, procedures, and business practices. 

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. Work from home and hybrid work options available with leader consultation. Occasional travel may be required to visit clients or attend meetings. 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 03/11/2025. 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 Sr Underwriter - Commercial Lines : $55,500.00-$113,500.00

The expected starting salary range for Sr Underwriter - Commercial Lines : $61,500.00 - $91,500.00