Sr Consultant, Underwriting Practice – Middle Market (Agribusiness)

Nationwide Mutual Insurance•Des Moines, IA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role supports the development and execution of captive and alternative risk strategies by working across underwriting, product, sales, and key business partners. It is ideal for someone who brings strong analytical thinking, business acumen, and curiosity about creative risk financing solutions. This is an opportunity to help build a growing capability, influence meaningful decisions, and contribute to solutions that support profitable growth. The position focuses on helping others learn and succeed when writing and retaining business, and involves strategic work on high-profile, impactful projects where teamwork is key. The Senior Consultant will develop and recommend underwriting policies, procedures, and standards for Middle Market, and will have a specialty practice designation. Responsibilities include providing advice and counsel on specific risks/accounts, policy forms, underwriting appetite and guidelines, technical training initiatives, underwriting projects, and agency relationships.

Requirements

Typically, more than 10 years of commercial lines underwriting experience, including at least five years of middle market experience in area of specialty, e.g., property, casualty, construction, specialty care.
Strong underwriting and insurance industry acuity and overall business savvy.
Exposure/experience in both field and staff operations preferred.
Detailed knowledge of products/forms, underwriting policies and procedures and standard methodologies.
Proven knowledge of financials, trend analysis and competitor data to assist in effective territory/book management and counsel of assigned field team.
Strong communication, collaboration, relationship management and influencing skills to effectively interact with all levels of the field team, including upper management.
Proven excellence in decision quality, problem solving and strategic abilities.
Strong ability to drive for results and deal with ambiguity.
Customer focus and conflict resolution skills are also essential.
Must have a valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards.

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate studies in business, or other related subject area, plus advanced studies preferred.
CPCU, ARM or other industry designation or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides highly technical underwriting perspective to assigned field teams.
Assesses underwriting opportunities and make consultative recommendations.
Consults with field staff on new or highly specialized concepts, business or practice opportunities, including assessment of the opportunity, risk exposure and decision to accept/reject business.
Provides technical evaluation and recommended action for risks submitted by field organization.
Makes final recommendation relative to highly specialized/niche underwriting opportunities that are advanced from the field practices.
Coaches and prepares field team for negotiations with agents and customers.
Maintains competitive intelligence to consult and mentor field team on writing and retaining profitable business.
Consults and coaches on account stewardship as needed.
Assists assigned field management team with book/portfolio management issues and execution.
Leads research to develop/implement underwriting initiatives and makes recommendations for new products (e.g. forms/endorsements) to meet market needs.
Works with Commercial Lines Product and Performance organization in development of any new products.
Anticipates, understands and addresses the impact that any underwriting projects and initiatives have on other teams (e.g. Product, Loss Control, AUs etc.).
Coaches, mentors, trains and develops underwriting expertise of field Territory Managers and Underwriters.
Develops, maintains and utilizes key business relationships with Quality, Loss Control, Premium Audit, Claim/CBC team members as well as field leaders to strengthen overall underwriting acumen of middle market business.
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