Director, Construction Services Business Development - Commercial Lines (Middle Market Construction Field Underwriting Director)

Nationwide•Washington, DC

7d•$152,000 - $269,000•Remote

About The Position

This Director is responsible for a team of Territory Managers (field-based senior production underwriters) spread throughout the East Coast and the respective book of business within our Commercial Middle Market Construction Services organization. This is a remote/WFH (work-from-home) role, requiring travel throughout the territory as well as conferences and leadership/team meetings - average travel is likely on a monthly basis, including overnight trips. Strong preference for the selected individual to be located in-market and specifically in one of the following states: CT, DC, DE, NJ, NY, NC, MA, MD, PA, VA. As a critical role in driving growth, this leader must be action-oriented, able to work at a high pace for an extended period, and focused on continuing to drive the business forward. Due to the nature of the role and the complex accounts they are responsible for leading, qualified candidates must have prior commercial underwriting experience (with authority), as well as a strong people leadership competency. The most ideal candidates will also have Construction insurance expertise, formal people leadership experience, and existing broker/agency relationships in the market. This role does not qualify for employer-sponsored work authorization. Nationwide does not participate in the Stem OPT Extension program.

Requirements

Prior commercial underwriting experience (with authority)
Strong people leadership competency
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is preferred.
Ten years of commercial line underwriting, sales, marketing and agency management experience, middle market experience, specifically in the area as defined by the job title, preferred.
Significant business management and people leadership experience preferred.
Requires sophisticated knowledge of property/casualty insurance operations and products, procedures and practices; commercial lines of insurance including rating, loss control and related functions; and commercial lines customer environment and markets.
Requires extensive knowledge of commercial property/casualty cases, best underwriting practices, field underwriting operations and day-to-day underwriting operational needs.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to disseminate vision of senior leadership and to motivate a large agency force.
Ability to set work priorities and to initiate, evaluate and recommend solutions to upper management.
Must have the ability to perform duties with independent judgment with underwriting authority and company underwriting standards.
Demonstrated decision-making ability required in day-to-day operations where there may be unclear or multiple priorities, including evaluating and recommending solutions to customer service issues, work processing issues, underwriting selection and rating problems and compliance.
Strong drive for results.
Competencies include building organizational talent, optimizing diversity, selling the vision, leading change and driving execution and entrepreneurship.
A valid driver’s license and safe driving record are required.

Nice To Haves

Construction insurance expertise
Formal people leadership experience
Existing broker/agency relationships in the market
Familiarity with all enterprise products preferred.
Relevant professional designation such as CPCU or CIC is preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitors market conditions and confirms information gathered within market space.
Researches risk, environment and other factors to win the account.
Receives input and monitors risk selection, renewal retention and pricing decisions.
Establishes research objectives and standards for the department.
Ensures methodologies and outcomes meet business and strategic objectives.
Analyzes performance of portfolio as well as individual performance and develops appropriate action to drive profitable growth based upon the analysis.
Partners with territory managers in the large account review process.
Directs pricing standards and practices.
Provides recommendations to leaders about underwriting strategy and opportunity.
Measures and manages underwriting processing and quality, using company underwriting guidelines and standards.
Determines priorities and workflow standards for the department.
Monitors and manages performance measurements to ensure efficiency of the department's service delivery process.
Effectively aligns organizational structure to drive business results.
Plans, develops and integrates territory sales plans to achieve top and bottom line objectives.
Translates strategic business plans into organizational direction.
Creates financial and operational goals, budget and timelines to meet company standards.
Drives sales strategies to develop new business, improve retention and maintain profitability.
Meets with agents at member locations to help with renewals and to ensure agency and account needs are being met and service plans are in place and working.
Consults with all levels of internal and external partners regarding policies and practices.
Provides recommendations regarding operational practices and procedures.
Provides input into agency strategic and business plans and regional strategic business planning.
Communicates strategic direction and operational plans to internal associates and external partners.
Communicates policies, procedures and financial budgets that result in attainment of business objectives.
Ensures awareness of strategic corporate initiatives to maintain effectiveness in the field.
Develops and maintains strong business relationships with key groups and individuals within the commercial line market.
Develops effective internal and external collaborative partnerships across all customers and related functions, including Loss Control, Claims, Marketing, Nationwide Technology, etc. to understand business development and build a support network to help resolve business needs.
Develops customer service standards for middle market construction team.
Drives customer service performance to established standards.
Collaborates with fellow leaders to guide training within the middle market organization to ensure a high degree of proficiency and professionalism.
Coaches territory managers/account executives on actively pursuing commercial line business with agencies and/or brokers to develop and grow a profitable territory.
Sets operational expectations, goals and strategies.
Provides oversight, ensuring necessary internal support is provided to resolve issues and appropriate service levels.
Ensures that unique agency business capabilities are assessed and emphasized as competitive advantages across all producers within the business unit.
Supervises associate management including performance, salary planning and administration, training and development, workflow and organization planning, day-to-day management, hiring and placement and disciplinary actions for direct and possibly indirect reports.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

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