Consultant, Middle Market Underwriting - Commercial Lines (Agribusiness)

Nationwide•Des Moines, IA

4d•$108,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This Consultant, Middle Market Underwriting Commercial Lines will support Agribusiness. Experience working on food and beverage accounts would be beneficial. Qualified candidates will have strong middle market multi-line commercial underwriting experience. For associates whose primary focus is MM accounts - Underwrites the largest, most complex or unique MM commercial lines accounts, both new and renewal, and drives market development, profit and premium objectives. Provides service to agents on all accounts underwritten, working independently, with field territory management and other underwriting and service personnel. Acts in a leadership capacity to develop, underwriting initiatives, agency management and team capabilities. Highest level of underwriting authority on account underwriting and pricing based on expertise and focus. Acts as a technical resource to Commercial Lines Underwriting team members on product line or market segment, providing guidance on regulatory issues, specific risks, policy forms, underwriting appetite and guidelines.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
Typically ten years of progressively responsible commercial lines middle market underwriting experience
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, property/casualty field operations, loss control principles and legal issues involving knowledge of commercial contracts.
Verbal and written communication skills used to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts.
Ability to manage and train associates in all aspects of commercial underwriting activity.
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.
Able to operate PC and applicable business software.

Nice To Haves

Experience working on food and beverage accounts would be beneficial.
Completion of INS, AU or similar designations with progress toward CIC and/or CPCU is preferred.

Responsibilities

Conducts detailed research on all aspects of a product line or market segment to help make policy and practice decisions.
Gathers information from multiple sources according to company guidelines, in order to perform underwriting analysis.
Analyzes quality and quantity of risks underwritten and prepares reports accordingly.
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.
Helps ensure appropriate workflow for unit and department by providing subject matter expertise to resolve issues.
Underwrites new business, renewals and endorsements for middle market accounts.
Reviews for acceptability and handles those within authority using company underwriting guidelines and standards.
Plans completion of assignments to meet agreed upon timelines and service level agreements.
Provides input and feedback regarding operational business plan.
Coordinates account service plans from loss control and claims.
Proactively identifies and drives opportunities for business development and issues resolution through consulting with agents and internal partners.
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.
Counsels commercial underwriting on the interpretation of issues regarding policy contracts, legislation, rules and standards.
Provides industry trend observations to leadership.
Communicates with agents and other internal and external business partners by requesting and providing requested information.
Helps digest and communicate technical requirements.
Consolidates and summarizes product and underwriting changes.
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.
May act in a consultant role for all large accounts and participate in agency/insured visits to discuss profitability initiatives in conjunction with Claims and Loss Control representatives.
Oversees and facilitates appropriate customer service levels.
Follows up on and ensures proper handling of escalated customer service requests.
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 develop and deliver training within the unit.
Provides technical underwriting and/or mentoring as needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.