Director, Credit & Political Risk - E&S/Specialty

Nationwide•Washington, DC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

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 know more about you! The primary role of the position is to leads an underwriting team that includes field underwriters that own the sales and underwriting relationships for the Credit and Political Risk line of business. Establishes and maintains business relationships with agencies and/or brokers for the purpose of sales growth and distribution expansion. Primary focus of this role is on underwriting, agency / customer relationship management, employee engagement and expense management for a territory. Independently underwrites accounts based on authority level granted to the role and underwriting appetite. This includes underwriting obligor balance sheets, income statements and cash flows, obligor credit ratings, management reputation and company business and trading histories.

Requirements

At least 10 years of credit and political risk underwriting experience gained working at a top-tier bank, credit and political risk insurance carrier or similar
Expertise in corporate, bank and sovereign credit risk analysis.
Expertise in country risk analysis
Experience in negotiating bespoke nonpayment and PRI insurance wordings
Bachelor degree required; MBA or Master degree in finance, international affairs or business administration a plus
At least 10 years of experience in trade credit underwriting 5-10 developing rating and pricing models as well as system solutions that deliver excellent customer service
Financial statement analysis, Credit underwriting, Country analysis, IT development, scoring and rating models
Demonstrated expert in the field
Excellent relationships with the US broker community and corporate and bank clients
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Prior underwriting credit authority
Excellent knowledge of IT solutions

Nice To Haves

Formal credit training is a plus.
A background in credit and political risk modeling is preferred

Responsibilities

Analyzes performance of portfolio as well as individual account performance and develops appropriate action to drive profitable growth based upon the analysis.
Monitors risk selection, renewal retention and pricing decisions on a portfolio and an individual account level.
Reviews and approves underwriting decisions of staff and ensures compliance to legal requirements and organizational, business and strategic objectives.
Provides recommendations to leadership regarding underwriting strategy and opportunity.
Measures and manages underwriting processing and quality.
Actively manages and participates in agency management.
May review complex or escalated business and make underwriting decisions based on the underwriting authority granted to the role, using company underwriting guidelines and standards.
Determines priorities and workflow/service standards for the department.
Monitors and manages performance measurements to ensure effectiveness 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.
Directs associates and provides performance management, salary planning and administration, organizational planning, hiring and placement.
Drives sales strategies to develop new business, improve retention and maintain profitability.
Meets regularly with clients to enhance relationships and drive business results.
Handles escalated customer service issues and requests.
Provides input to leadership regarding strategic and business plans and helps identify operational opportunities and efficiency.
Consults with agents and brokers to provide expertise, educate and identify business opportunities.
Consults with team to develop experience, understanding and expertise in each situation to make the best possible decisions.
Consults with Home Office leaders on accounts requiring higher level of authority.
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.
Ensure operational excellence through the timely issuance of non-binding indications and policy wordings as well as good coordination with the back office for policy servicing, including billing and accurate data input.
Works in partnership with fellow leaders to manage the training of associates within the credit and political risk organization to ensure a high degree of competency and professionalism.
Coaches territory managers and field underwriters on actively pursuing credit and political risk opportunities with agencies and/or brokers to develop and grow a profitable territory.
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