Sr Underwriter, Contract Underwriting - E&S/Specialty (P&C Contract Binding)

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.

Open to remote work in the contiguous US.

This role does not qualify for employer-sponsored work authorization. Nationwide does not participate in the Stem OPT Extension program.

Compensation Grade: E.SD80

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Job Description Summary

Are you a critical thinker who can analyze complex risk and find insurance solutions that balance customer needs with business goals? If you can take initiative, use both your analytical and creative abilities to make sound decisions and have a desire to help people solve real challenges, we want to hear from you! Our Excess & Surplus/Specialty (E&S/S) lines allow us to provide insurance that other carriers may not offer. It’s a fast-paced environment in a collaborative, team-oriented culture, working in an always-changing, growing industry.

As a Sr Underwriter, you will determine individual risk acceptability, pricing, coverage, terms and conditions, by developing, analyzing and evaluating information and exposures on risks of moderate technical complexity and with limited authority. You will be responsible for achieving production and loss ratio goals within an assigned territory by reviewing and analyzing claims, loss history and taking appropriate action on individual accounts and/or program or territory. We'll count on you to drive profit and premium to meet financial goals and objectives through developing, negotiating and implementing business plans. Your knowledge of reinsurance placement requirements, if any, on individual accounts, is important and valued. You will have opportunities to foster positive business relationships with agents and reinsurers.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: 

• In partnership with underwriting (UW) leader / team member, reviews individual risks from agents, brokers or programs with or without an assigned territory, from agents, brokers or program managers and either declines or accepts business based upon information necessary to make the decision. Analyzes exposure to loss, develops an adequate premium charge for the exposure and determines appropriate endorsements and exclusions to address loss exposures for the insurance contract. 

• Achieves team/ individual production and loss ratio goals through sound broker or territory management and marketing, with or without an assigned territory. Achieves production, profitability and service objectives. Quotes, prices and underwrites new and renewal policies and endorsements, primarily for complex or service sensitive accounts. Monitors risk selection and pricing decisions for entire agency plant, both on a book of business and individual account level basis 

• Continually analyzes premium and loss results in their territory by agency, broker, state, major class of business and by program. Audits individual policies for compliance with company guidelines. Development and implementation of specific action plans may be required. 

• Handles policy maintenance items and other mid-term requests. Reviews endorsement requests and processes necessary changes to the policy. Reviews loss control reports and makes recommendations to the agent and/or changes to the policy. Follows up on outstanding information as required. Reviews claim activity and takes appropriate action. 

• Fosters positive business relationships with agents and brokers, through daily contact with assigned agents by developing and maintaining good rapport and resolving agency conflicts. Travels to agency offices as required for audits, training or marketing visits. Entertains agents visiting the company as required. Assists with development of marketing ideas and strategies for underwriting seminars and other marketing campaigns. Strengthens internal and external relationships through regular contact on underwriting matters, promoting profit and new business growth, renewal retention and service capabilities. 

• Within defined parameters may place reinsurance per department guidelines based upon the appropriate use of all reinsurance facilities used by the department, including various treaty, semiautomatic, and facultative reinsurance. Maintains good working relationship with reinsurers. 

• Markets Nationwide products and services to help drive agency and company results, including all enterprise products that may enhance offerings. Assists agency with strategies for pipeline management, producer development and to develop new business in targeted industries and preferred markets. Responds effectively to assess accounts and develop business propositions that win the business. 

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.
 

Reporting Relationships:  Reports to Underwriting Manager.
 

Typical Skills and Experiences: 
 

Education:  Undergraduate degree preferred. Equivalent work experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

License/Certification/Designation: Completion of general insurance courses such as CPCU, CIC, AU, ARM, CPIW, CWIS, or ASLI is preferred.

Experience:  Four years related experience or two years as an underwriter, excess & surplus lines preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:  Knowledge of lines underwriting policies, practices and procedures, insurance law and underwriting marketing principles and techniques, rating plans and plan concepts, Treaty & Facultative reinsurance concepts, general agency system and company operations, regulatory issues, the general agency system, market conditions and company operations. Ability to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing, interpersonally with individuals and groups via telephone, fax, e-mail and in person. Demonstrates advanced negotiation skills. Ability to manage the assigned line or lines of business, which may include monitoring of aggregates. Ability to work with the wholesale/general agency distribution system. Ability to analyze insurance risks to determine acceptability including policy language, various commercial rating plans and methodologies, reinsurance. Ability to use/learn job related computer software. Ability to devise business solutions to problems, implement the most appropriate, and monitor its effectiveness. Ability to make decisions with minimal supervision.

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. Travel out of state as required several times a year. In-town entertaining required as necessary after 5:00 P.M.

ADA:  The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or requisitions some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 05/23/2025. 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, Contract Underwriting - E&S/Specialty : $57,500.00-$118,500.00

The expected starting salary range for Sr Underwriter, Contract Underwriting - E&S/Specialty : $64,000.00 - $96,000.00