Director, Middle Market Underwriting - Commercial Lines

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 a newly developed team consisting of the processing and associate underwriting teams.  Responsibilities will also include building out a team of small commercial agribusiness underwriters.  The person in this role will work in a SuccessFlex environment working both in the office and remotely if in the Des Moines, Scottsdale or Columbus areas.  Will consider candidates for fully remote work in other areas.

Qualified candidates will have strong technical underwriting background in agribusiness/farm or middle market commercial.  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: