Sr Field Underwriter, Small 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 position may be filled at a different level based on experience and qualifications of the candidate. This role may be filled at the Specialist level or Consultant level.

This position will be accountable for profitable Small Commercial new business growth for assigned agencies within their local geography. This position will report to the Small Commercial Underwriting Director responsible for the Eastern Field, Mid-West Field, or Western Field Underwriting teams, dependent on location.

We are hiring field underwriters in the following areas (subject to change): New England; NY/NJ; TN/KY; NC,/Southern VA; GA/SC; DC/MD/Northern VA; IL/WI; MI/IN; CO/NE; KS/MO; CA; TX; ID/UT

Regular travel is expected.

Candidates must reside in the geography served by this position.

Job Description Summary

JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for independently generating new, profitable commercial lines business production from agencies in assigned territory. Has an expert level of knowledge in commercial insurance contracts and is familiar with the various policy languages and endorsements. Works in partnership with sales managers in assigned territory to extract new business from the agency force to review, quote, inspect and issue. Continues to expand and enhance agency/company relationships for the purposes of writing new business. Achieve the territorial strategic and operating plan objectives for profit, production, and service

Job Description

Reports to: Manager or Director.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Within delegated authority levels and company guidelines, 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. 

2. Accurately evaluate risk exposures of the most complex nature.  Underwrite new business, review apps., select business to quote and reject the business that is unacceptable, class and price according to guidelines.  Underwriting also includes reviewing MVR's, financial reports and loss control reports.

3. Gather competitive data, prepare reports, and perform loss control inspections. 

4. Conduct routine field inspections of accounts, with and without agents.    Make recommendations based on findings.  Make accurate assessments of future agency potential and be able to communicate/discuss the assessment with agency partners in a positive and professional manner.

5. Expected to maintain frequent visitation schedule with all assigned agents and establish the company as the commercial lines provider of choice for the agencies in the territory.

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

7. Thorough understanding of regional office strategic direction and operating plans, including goals and objectives to achieve profit and growth. 

8. Serve as a top underwriting resource.  Provide professional development knowledge and insight to team members.  May help train new field underwriters and provide them coaching as they develop in their role.

9. Conduct program and product orientation meetings in conjunction with the sales managers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education:  Undergraduate degree preferred.  Pursuit of technical insurance coursework such as CPCU highly desirable.

Experience:  Four to six years experience in commercial underwriting and/or portfolio management.

Knowledge: Requires advance knowledge on all aspects of commercial underwriting practices, procedures, and policies. Thorough knowledge of agency operations and field agency support needs. Strong proficiency in loss control and risk management techniques. 

Skills/Competencies:  Strong sales skills to match the emphasis on production, including the ability to make presentations and meet with all agency personnel (owners and employees).  Requires strong oral and written communication skills; able to convey the commercial message in a positive manner to agents.

Staffing Exception to the above minimum job requirements must be approved by: Office of Human Resources

JOB CONDITIONS:

Overtime Eligibility: Not eligible, (Exempt)

Working conditions: Requires the ability to travel regularly in the field, service centers, agency offices, and customer business locations.  Must have and maintain a safe driving record. 

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. 

Job Evaluation Activity: DEK 02/05
 

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 09/03/2025. 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

NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES:

We value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. Nationwide does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. All resumes submitted by employment agencies directly to any Nationwide employee or hiring manager in any form without a signed Nationwide Client Services Agreement on file and search engagement for that position will be deemed unsolicited in nature. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is subsequently hired as a result of the referral or through other means.

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 Field Underwriter, Commercial Lines : $72,000.00-$148,500.00

The expected starting salary range for Sr Field Underwriter, Commercial Lines : $80,000.00 - $120,000.00