Manager, Underwriting Middle Market - Commercial Lines (Agribusiness)

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 Manager, Underwriting Middle Market – CL (Ag) role will support our Agribusiness work within our Food and Beverage Manufacturing vertical. Agribusiness, Farm and/or Commercial Lines experience is required for this role.  Prior leadership experience is strongly preferred.

Compensation Band:  G4

Job Description Summary

For managers whose primary focus is MM accounts - Manages a commercial lines underwriting function and staff. Drives profitable underwriting results and growth through leadership, development and engagement. Manages agency relationships to ensure objectives are met.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversees research within unit. Establishes practice and methodology guidelines. Identifies needs or potential issues and consults on research issues from staff and leadership.

• Reviews and provides oversight to analysis and conclusions within unit. Analyzes and interprets collective data within territory. Drives operational changes and ensures implementation of practice standards and procedures.

• Establishes workflow standards and processes. Manages performance measurements pertaining to the effectiveness of the unit's delivery process, service capabilities and customer satisfaction.

• Accountable for all pricing, underwriting and operational decisions for unit. Interprets underwriting guidelines and standards and ensures direction is followed. Resolves escalated issues, applies underwriting appetite in local market and provides technical oversight to complex issues. Handles underwriting files in cases of work overload or other local needs. Reviews for acceptability and handles those within authority using company underwriting guidelines and standards.

• Develops and manages operational plans for unit. Plans implementation of organizational objectives. Responsible for the planning and management of associates including: budget, performance management, salary planning and administration, hiring and placement, and disciplinary actions.

• Provides technical advice on complex underwriting and service issues to unit ensuring compliance to state laws and company requirements. Consults with all levels of internal and external partners regarding policy and practice, customer service issues, sales, claims and underwriting. Promotes and monitors agency performance.

• Communicates vision, operational plans, direction and underwriting results to internal associates and external partners.

• Responsible for the relationship management of the unit. Strengthens internal and external relationships through regular contact on underwriting matters, promoting profit and new business growth, renewal retention and service capabilities. Participates and partners in the review and analysis of agency performance based on production results. Manages resolution of relationship issues.

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

• Determines and leads delivery of training and development based on individual and unit needs. Coaches, develops and provides feedback to associates. Educates internal and external partners on underwriting process, practice and tools.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Director. Direct reports: Typically 5-8 underwriting associates and may include multiple indirect reports.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education:  Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience 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, middl