Specialist, Underwriting Middle Market - Commercial Lines (Agribusiness)

If you’re passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them at a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales, 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 and partners are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

This Specialist, Underwriting Middle Market - Commercial Lines (Agribusiness) can work in a hybrid environment in the Des Moines IA office or remotely if outside that area. Agribusiness, farm and/or middle market commercial lines underwriting experience is needed for this position.

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Job Description Summary

Success on our team requires a blend of customer service skill and analytical prowess. There’s no shying away from challenges here. Each account we work on is complex and interesting. 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!
As a Specialist Middle Market Underwriting, you will accept, retains and price complex moderate to high exposure new, renewal and endorsement commercial business policies based on granted authority. We'll count on you to provide technical direction and account expertise in the development and guidance of the underwriting staff. You will review and makes decisions regarding larger, more complex, and/or unusual business. You may also be asked to function as team lead depending on business need.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Gathers information from multiple sources according to company guidelines, in order to perform underwriting analysis. May require gathering verbal information or data through reports or other electronic means. May research issues in support of unit objectives and participate on committees or special projects.

• Reviews individual risks for acceptability and handles those within authority based on company underwriting guidelines and standards. Analyzes quality and quantity of risks underwritten and prepares reports accordingly. May review agency books of business as well as profit/growth results and trends to recommend and implement action plans. May perform portfolio analysis or additional underwriting analysis in support of unit objectives.

• Manages larger, more complex work that requires working with and through others to meet overall project timelines and maximize workflow. Manages referral underwriting, which have been escalated from other underwriting staff, and provides suggested decision or approach. Ensures file handling quality and workflow efficiency. Assists in managing work inventories within the unit.

• Underwrites new business, renewals and endorsements . Decisions at this level may require review of additional variables, leveraging agency, sales and underwriting relationships, inspection reports and evaluation of exceptions. Reviews for acceptability and handles those within authority using company underwriting guidelines and standards. May assist manager in performing audits including corporate, underwriting, agency and self audits.

• Plans completion of assignments to meet agreed upon timelines and service level agreements. Provides input and feedback regarding operational business plan.

• Proactively identifies and drives opportunities for business development and issues resolution through consulting with agents and internal partners. Understands organizational capabilities and opportunities to drive maximum value of relationships. Provides technical expertise to underwriting associates and agents. Advises on the underwriting of larger, more complex, and/or unusual business to determine acceptability, terms, conditions, pricing and sales techniques.

• Communicates with agents and other internal and external business partners by requesting and providing requested information.

• Strengthens internal and external relationships through regular contact on underwriting matters, promoting profit and new business growth, renewal retention and service capabilities. May participate in the review and analysis of agency performance.

• Responds to requests from agents and underwriting staff with resolution within established time and service standards in order to facilitate and expedite service needs. Handles escalated underwriting issues from unit.

• Educates internal and external partners on underwriting process, practice and tools. Helps train less experienced underwriting staff. Coordinates, participates and/or leads training development or delivery as a subject matter expert. Identifies and communicates training needs and opportunities.

May perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting relationships: Supervisor or Manager; typically no direct reports.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: Completion of INS, AU or similar designations with progress toward CIC and/or CPCU is preferred.

Experience: Typically six years of commercial lines underwriting experience. Middle market experience preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills: Commercial underwriting policy, practices and procedures. Rating plans and plan concepts. State and Federal insurance laws and regulations. Commercial insurance processing systems. Working knowledge of company operations and products. Sales, claims, service center and legal issues involving knowledge of commercial contracts.Verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts. Ability to evaluate and recommend solutions to work-related problems. Ability to analyze insurance risks to determine the degree of acceptability. Ability to operate PC and related software. Ability to advise agents and agency staff on commercial contracts, procedures and business practices. Ability to analyze portfolio data and develop appropriate action plans. Ability to train and lead lower level commercial underwriters in all aspects of underwriting and processing functions.

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

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 the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Occasional travel may be required to visit clients 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.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 06/05/2026. 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. Note on Compensation for Part-Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full-time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full-time schedule.

The national salary range for Specialist, Underwriting Middle Market - Commercial Lines : $88,000.00-$164,000.00

The expected starting salary range for Specialist, Underwriting Middle Market - Commercial Lines : $88,000.00 - $132,000.00