Sr Underwriter - Personal Lines

Nationwide • Iowa City, IA

11h

About The Position

If you’re passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them at a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales, as well as innovating and simplifying processes and operations to provide the best customer value, then Nationwide’s Property and Casualty team could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers and partners are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care. Job Description Summary Success on our team requires a blend of customer service skill and analytical prowess. Each account we work on is interesting and challenging. Satisfaction comes from finding solutions that provide the best coverage and give our partner agents a way to differentiate themselves from the competition. If you are adaptable, responsive, love customers and really want to make a difference, we want to hear from you! As a Sr. Underwriter you will accept, retain and classify moderate exposure new and renewal policies (case and account underwriting) based on granted authority. We'll count on you to manage an assigned underwriting territory to identify business trends, ensure profitability and build agency relationships. You'll be counted on to make decisions on larger more complex and unique assignments. You'll be key to provide input into and responsible for implementation of strategic recommendations for portfolio profitability and growth management action plans through partnership with product and sales in support of portfolio underwriting efforts for profitable growth within assigned territory or specialty. You may also provide guidance and assistance to less experienced underwriters and other functional areas. May lead projects or research activities in support of business goals. Job Description

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience: Two years of underwriting experience.
• Experience leading or working on complex projects and or task teams.
• Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Strong knowledge of underwriting policies, practices and insurance contracts. Understands and can articulate company product details and values. Working knowledge of core business functions, state specific statutes and regulations, pricing and marketing. Has a good understanding of competitor products and market conditions. Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills are required. Strong written and verbal communications skills are necessary to present information to all levels of internal and external contacts. Skilled in Excel and other analytical tools to evaluate data. Ability to train and develop lower level underwriters in all aspects of underwriting.
• Key competencies include: business acumen, functional/technical skills, command skills, interpersonal savvy, negotiating, problem solving, drive for results, managing and measuring work, customer focus, and decision quality. Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing situations.
• Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.
• Staffing Exceptions to the above Minimum Job Requirements must be approved by the: hiring manager’s leader and HRBP.
• Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Nice To Haves

• License/Certification/Designation: Pursuit of technical insurance coursework such as CPCU preferred.

Responsibilities

• Researches agency, district, and market data for assigned underwriting territory to identify business trends and opportunities for profitable growth.
• Obtains data/information from published sources, company data bases, and partnerships with sales, claims, agency and portfolio or other contacts. May research issues in support of unit objectives and participate on committees or special projects.
• Reviews individual risks for acceptability and handles those within authority based on company underwriting guidelines and standards. Uses critical thinking and understanding of the market and underwriting best practices to assess the total risk proposition and alternatives for acceptability. May analyze issues related to rules performance through automated systems.
• Completes assigned underwriting transactions and tasks within established time and service standards. Strives to complete all transactions in a first time final mode. Meets overall timelines for project or team assignments.
• Makes decisions to accept, modify or decline personal lines business based on underwriting analysis, best practices and judgment. Determines the proper classification of risks to ensure the matching of price and product to the customer. Decisions at this level may require review of additional variables, leveraging agency, sales and underwriting relationships, inspection reports and evaluation of exceptions. May perform quality assurance reviews from within the department to ensure acceptable decision making.
• Plans completion of assignments to meet agreed upon timelines and service level agreements. Provides input and feedback regarding operational business plan.
• Consults with agents and collaborates with internal partners regarding underwriting decisions. Uses underwriting curiosity to recommend additional products, coverages and discounts to ensure the agency and customer receive maximum value and adequate coverage. May consult regarding risk mitigation strategies.
• Provides technical expertise to underwriting associates and agents. Communicates underwriting decisions to agencies and internal departments. Provides clear communication of rationale for decisions and options. Chooses most effective communication method based on issue, situation and audience. May communicate to various audiences regarding underwriting, product, rate classification and processes.
• Strengthens agency relationships through regular contact on underwriting matters, promoting profit and new business growth, renewal retention and service capabilities. May participate in the management of agency performance as part of the underwriting team.
• Responds to requests from agents and underwriting staff with resolution within established time and service standards. Handles escalated underwriting issues.
• Educates internal and external partners on underwriting process, concepts and principles. Helps train and develop less experienced underwriting staff. Participates and/or leads training development or delivery as a subject matter expert. Identifies and communicates training needs and opportunities.
• May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: 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, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level