Consultant, Field Underwriter - Small Commercial (IL/WI)

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 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 Underwriting team.  Regular travel is expected.

Candidates must reside in the geography served by this position.

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Job Description Summary

Serves as a top-tier technical expert in commercial lines underwriting, responsible for independently evaluating and underwriting the most complex and high-value risks across a broad field territory. Operates with elevated authority and autonomy, applying advanced risk assessment techniques and deep market insight. Acts as a consultative resource to field underwriters, sales teams, and agency partners. Drives underwriting excellence and contributes to strategic initiatives that support profitability, growth, and operational efficiency.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: 

Advanced Underwriting Execution: Independently underwrites and prices the most complex and specialized commercial risks within expanded authority levels while promoting a steady flow of lower-premium and complexity new business. Applies advanced judgment and technical expertise to ensure profitable growth.

Risk Analysis & Technical Consultation: Performs in-depth risk analysis using financials, loss control reports, industry trends, and predictive data models. Provides consultative guidance to field underwriters and agents on risk mitigation and coverage solutions.

Territory Management: Manages a field underwriting territory focused on new business production, ensuring alignment with underwriting strategy, mix of business, and profitability goals. Identifies trends and recommends adjustments to underwriting approach or appetite. May serve as the primary point of contact for consolidation or transfer opportunities within an agency.

Agency Engagement & Strategic Support: Builds and maintains strong relationships with key agency partners. Regularly conducts in-person meetings and takes advantage of opportunities to embed and quote within the agency’s office. Provides expert-level support in complex negotiations and coverage discussions. Participates with Territory Managers in strategic planning with agencies to drive mutual success. Identifies and drives opportunities for business development and issue resolution by consulting with agents and internal partners. Understands organizational capabilities and opportunities to drive maximum value of relationships.

Market Intelligence & Innovation: Monitors market developments, emerging risks, and competitor activity. Contributes feedback to the Portfolio Management and Technical Underwriting organizations to influence the evolution of underwriting guidelines, tools, and practices.

Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Serves as a technical resource and informal mentor to field underwriters. Shares best practices and supports skill development across the team.

Program & Product Expertise: Partners with Territory Managers and Learning & Development resources to conduct product orientation and training sessions for agents and internal teams. Provides feedback on product performance and market fit.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned. 

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Manager or Director.

Typical Skills and Experiences: 

Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced insurance designations (e.g., CPCU, ARM) strongly preferred.

Experience: Minimum 6–8 years of commercial underwriting experience, with demonstrated success in handling complex risks and portfolios.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Expert-level understanding of commercial underwriting principles, risk management, and industry-specific exposures. Strong knowledge of agency operations and market dynamics. Exceptional analytical, consultative, and communication skills. Ability to influence underwriting outcomes and support strategic initiatives. High proficiency in risk evaluation tools and techniques.

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 Human Resource Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

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. 

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.

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 Consultant, Field Underwriter - Commercial Lines : $94,000.00-$194,000.00

The expected starting salary range for Consultant, Field Underwriter - Commercial Lines : $104,000.00 - $156,000.00