Manager, Underwriting - Personal 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 opening can be filled in a remote/work-from-home (WFH) capacity or in one of our offices.  Iowa, Ohio, and Arizona are preferred, though other locations may be considered.

Successful candidates will have a strong people leader competency and P&C insurance experience.  Diversity in carrier experience and agency relationship management approach is especially preferred.

Compensation Grade: G3

#LI-MS1

#LI-REMOTE

Job Description Summary

Success on our team requires a blend of customer service skill and analytical prowess. Each account we work on is interesting and challenging. Satisfaction comes from finding solutions that provide the best coverage and give our partner agents a way to differentiate themselves from the competition. If you are adaptable, responsive, love customers and really want to make a difference, we want to hear from you!
In this role, you'll manage a personal lines underwriting team and be responsible for meeting quality and productivity standards for risks underwritten. We'll count on you to manage the work activities and adherence to the service level agreements of the team and be responsible for the quality processes and related services to producers and members and handles escalated underwriting and customer service issues. You'll be key in driving profitable underwriting results and growth through leadership, development and engagement. You will also assist the director with planning, budgeting and reporting.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversees research within underwriting team. Identifies needs and resolves research issues from the underwriting team and leadership. May research issues or lead research projects in support of unit objectives.

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

• Manages workflow for the underwriting team and ensures compliance to all time and service standards. Manages underwriting transactions which have been escalated from other underwriting staff, and provides suggested decision or approach. Ensures file handling quality and workflow efficiency. Manages larger, more complex issues that require working with and through others to meet business needs and maximize workflow. Manages work inventories within the team.

• Accountable for all underwriting and operational decisions for the unit. Interprets and ensures alignment with underwriting guidelines and standards. Resolves escalated issues, applies underwriting appetite in assigned territories and provides technical oversight to complex issues. Reviews for acceptability and handles those within authority using company underwriting guidelines and standards. Authorizes and/or interprets approved coverage forms and duration of coverage, classification rates, selection standards and insurance laws and regulations.

• Develops and manages operational plans for underwriting team. Plans implementation of organizational objectives and underwriting initiatives. 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 underwriting and service issues to the unit ensuring compliance to state laws and company requirements. Consults as an underwriting subject matter expert with all levels of internal and external partners regarding policy and practice, customer service issues, sales, claims and product.

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

• Responsible for the relationship management of the team and resolution of relationship issues. Strengthens internal and external relationships through regular contact on underwriting matters, promoting profit, new business growth, and retention. May participate in the review and analysis of agency performance.

• Responsible for delivery of appropriate customer service levels within the team. Follows up and ensures proper handling of escalated underwriting and customer service requests and underwriting issues.

• Coaches, develops and provides feedback to associates. Determines and ensures delivery of training and development based on individual and team needs. Manages education of internal and external partners on underwriting process, practice and tools.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to director; Direct reports: Typically 7+ underwriting associates at various levels.

Typical Education and Experiences:

Education: Bachelor's degree and pursuit of continued education preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: Completion of technical insurance coursework such as CPCU preferred. 

Experience: Six years underwriting, customer service or related experience. Supervisory or management experience desired.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Detailed knowledge of personal lines insurance products, state regulations, underwriting policies, procedures, and best practices. Working knowledge of company operations, financials, trend analysis and competitor data to assist in the management of underwriting staff. Strong verbal and written communication skills used to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts. Ability to lead and train associates in all aspects of Personal Lines underwriting. Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing situations. Ability to set work priorities that conform to established standards. Ability to analyze insurance risks, apply logical judgment and utilize procedures effectively. Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions and apply critical thinking skills. Skilled in Excel and other analytical tools to evaluate data.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence. 

Staffing Exceptions to the above Minimum Job Requirements must be approved by the: hiring manager’s leader and HRBP.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.
Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Occasional travel may be required to visit agencies or attend meetings. Extended or non-standard work hours as required to meet business need.

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.

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.