Executive Underwriter - Workers Compensation (E&S/Specialty)

Nationwide•Des Moines, IA

3d•$120,000 - $224,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Nationwide's Property and Casualty team is seeking a technically strong workers compensation underwriter to help steer a growing portfolio of WC programs. This role will serve as the go-to expert for complex WC referrals and program questions, directly impacting profitability, volatility, and partner experience across the book. The ideal candidate will be a problem solver who can analyze complex risk and find insurance solutions that balance customer needs with business goals. This role involves underwriting individual risks for acceptability, pricing, coverage, terms and conditions, leading the development and integration of new and existing programs, and identifying new program opportunities. Collaboration with internal business partners, external program managers, and other key partners is essential. The role also includes training and mentoring of underwriting team members.

Requirements

7+ years of workers compensation experience (underwriting or similar), with a strong preference for program, large risk, or high-hazard WC.
Proven ability to underwrite complex, multi-state WC risks and to use data, models, and financial information to support your judgment.
Strong working knowledge of WC coverages, rating plans, and state-specific requirements.
Clear, confident communication skills — able to translate technical insight into practical guidance for leadership, program partners, and brokers.
A disciplined, portfolio-minded approach that balances growth, profitability, and volatility.
Undergraduate studies with focus in Finance, Accounting Economics, and/or Risk Management.
Typically five or more years related experience as a Professional, Financial and/or Specialty lines underwriter.
Demonstrated knowledge of Professional, Financial, and/or Specialty lines underwriting policies, practices and procedures, insurance law and underwriting marketing principles and techniques.
Strong understanding of financial documents, financial analysis, investments, market conditions essential.
Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with internal/external business partners at all levels.
Must have skills to influence and negotiate with internal/external business partners at all levels.
Must have the ability to manage large programs; develop and apply innovative approaches to program initiatives and problem solutions.
Proven ability to analyze and interpret mathematical, statistical and logical data, and evaluate its reliability and significance.
Must have project and process management skills.
Must have ability to evaluate, analyze and devise solutions to complex programs; implement the most appropriate solution and monitor the effectiveness.
Ability to support numerous internal/external business partners and make decisions that reflect the goals of the company, both financially and ethically.
Ability to lead, train, motivate employees and set work priorities.
Ability to apply/learn job related software.

Nice To Haves

Program, large risk, or high-hazard WC experience.
Designations such as AU, ARM, CPCU, (or in progress) are a plus.
Program leadership experience in professional lines of business is preferred.
Some experience in the technical aspects of data management, imaging and procedures and processes helpful.
Legal knowledge related to insurance, contract and business law preferred.
Understanding of employment principles and practices.
Graduate degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Underwrite complex WC program and large account referrals end-to-end (exposures, losses, structure, and pricing recommendations).
Use internal pricing tools, actuarial input, and financial analysis to recommend sound pricing, terms, and structures (e.g., deductibles, large deductibles, dividends, alternative risk).
Assess jurisdictional risk (e.g., CA, NY, FL and other challenging venues) and incorporate severity, ALAE, CT, and regulatory nuances into your decisions.
Monitor a defined slice of the WC program portfolio (loss ratio, growth, retention, mix), surfacing trends and recommending corrective actions.
Serve as a primary WC underwriting contact for assigned program administrators / MGUs and MGAs, shaping submission quality, data, and expectations.
Partner with Finance, Actuarial, Claims, Risk Control, and Operations to align on risk quality, loss drivers, collateral, and improvement plans.
Model disciplined documentation and communication, including clear system notes and concise leadership-ready summaries.
Drives the sales and underwriting relationship for Programs products and services.
Provides input and data to help drive and implement strategic underwriting plans.
Provides business forecasting related to trends, and profitability within Program vertical.
Responsible for achieving established goals for assigned programs.
Analyzes program manager relationships/results and recommends corrective actions if necessary.
Understands business needs and identifies new business opportunities.
Reviews highly complex individual risks, programs, or referrals within assigned territory from program managers and declines or accepts business based upon information necessary to make the decision.
Acts as a subject matter expert in analyzing exposures to losses; develops adequate premium charge for the exposure.
Determines appropriate endorsements and exclusions to address loss exposures for the insurance contract.
Actively engages in discussions with reinsurers per department guidelines verifying the appropriate use of all reinsurance facilities used by the department, including various treaty, semi-automatic and facultative reinsurance.
Responsible for compiling data to be provided for reinsurers presentations.
Maintains good working relationship with reinsurers.
Develops and implements underwriting guidelines, rates, forms, product endorsements and procedures.
Assists in the development of department policies and underwriting and standard methodologies.
Interacts with various business partners (i.e. claims, actuary, compliance, etc.) to achieve company goals and objectives.
Acts as an internal consultant responsible for resolving escalated issues and communicating to business liaisons and external sources regarding program initiatives.
Responsible for audits of individual risks/programs for compliance with company guidelines, state regulations and reinsurance conditions.
Development and implementation of specific action plans may be required.
Responsible for the resolution of advanced complex technical issues.
Independently establishes and maintains effective relationships with Program Managers in order to generate growth and profitably.
Travels to existing and potential program manager offices, as required for marketing visits.
Frequently entertains Program Managers to market services and ensure strong relationships to write profitable business.
Leads in the implementation of all new programs from development of underwriting guidelines, form/rate filings, compliance/regulatory matters, finance, reinsurance, claims, legal, accounting, actuarial and marketing matters to ensure proper program integration.
Attends industry functions to promote E&S/S Programs brand and capabilities of the programs team in order to help identify new program business opportunities.
Acts as a resource for direction, training and guidance for less experienced staff.
May be responsible for underwriting and support staff.
Maintains knowledge of insurance regulations; provides consulting regarding legislation that impacts the organization.
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