Sr Consultant, Underwriting Practice – Middle Market (Agribusiness)
About The Position
The Senior Consultant, Underwriting Practice supports the development and execution of captive and alternative risk strategies, collaborating with underwriting, product, sales, and key business partners. The position applies analytical thinking and business acumen to assess risk-financing solutions and contribute to profitable growth. It requires substantial hands-on captive-insurance experience, including exposure to captive structures, fronting or reinsurance arrangements, and the financial, actuarial, governance, and operational disciplines that support them. In Middle Market, the Senior Consultant develops and recommends underwriting policies, procedures, and standards, and provides specialized advice on risks and accounts, policy forms, underwriting appetite and guidelines, technical training, underwriting projects, and agency relationships. The role provides a technical underwriting perspective to field teams, supports portfolio management, researches and recommends underwriting initiatives and products, and develops the underwriting expertise of field staff. The preferred location is Des Moines, Iowa, in a hybrid environment, though remote candidates will also be considered. The position may be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states. It reports to the Underwriting Practice Director, Middle Market National Underwriting, and may have direct or indirect reports.
Requirements
- Typically more than 10 years of commercial lines underwriting experience, including at least five years of Middle Market experience in a specialty area such as property, casualty, construction, or specialty care.
- Substantial hands-on captive-insurance experience, including meaningful exposure to captive structures, fronting or reinsurance arrangements, and the financial, actuarial, governance, and operational disciplines that support them.
- Strong underwriting and insurance-industry knowledge and business acumen.
- Detailed knowledge of products and forms, underwriting policies and procedures, and standard methodologies.
- Knowledge of financials, trend analysis, and competitor data to support territory and book management and counsel field teams.
- Strong communication, collaboration, relationship-management, and influencing skills for interaction with field teams at all levels, including upper management.
- Demonstrated decision quality, problem-solving, and strategic abilities.
- Ability to drive results and deal with ambiguity; customer focus and conflict-resolution skills.
- Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards.
Nice To Haves
- Undergraduate studies in business or a related subject area; advanced studies preferred.
- CPCU, ARM, another industry designation, or equivalent.
- Exposure to or experience in both field and staff operations.
Responsibilities
- Provide a highly technical underwriting perspective to assigned field teams and make consultative recommendations on underwriting opportunities.
- Consult with field staff on new or specialized concepts, business opportunities, and practices, including assessment of opportunity and risk exposure and decisions to accept or reject business.
- Evaluate risks submitted by the field organization and recommend action; make final recommendations on highly specialized or niche opportunities advanced from field practices.
- Coach and prepare field teams for negotiations with agents and customers.
- Maintain competitive intelligence and advise and mentor field teams on writing and retaining profitable business, including account stewardship when needed.
- Assist assigned field management with book and portfolio management issues and execution.
- Lead research to develop and implement underwriting initiatives and recommend new products, including forms and endorsements, to meet market needs.
- Work with Commercial Lines Product and Performance on new product development and anticipate and address the effects of underwriting projects and initiatives on other teams.
- Coach, mentor, train, and develop underwriting expertise among field Territory Managers and Underwriters.
- Develop, maintain, and use relationships with Quality, Loss Control, Premium Audit, Claim/CBC team members, and field leaders to strengthen Middle Market underwriting acumen.
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Paid time off: newly hired associates receive a minimum of 18 days per full calendar year, prorated quarterly based on hire date
- Nine paid holidays
- Eight hours of Lifetime paid time off
- Eight hours of Unity Day paid time off
- 401(k) with company match
- Company-paid pension plan
- Business casual attire
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
