This Specialist, Life Underwriting opportunity sits within Nationwide’s Brokerage General Agency (BGA) area, a relationship-driven part of the life insurance business that partners closely with brokerage firms and distribution partners to support new business through the underwriting process.

In this environment, underwriters work on a broad range of life insurance cases and play an important role in evaluating risk, navigating complex case details, and helping move business efficiently from submission through decision. The work combines strong technical underwriting judgment with thoughtful communication and partnership across the case lifecycle.

What makes this team especially distinctive is the nature of the work: it is underwriting in a less automated environment, where associates are expected to think critically, apply judgment, and stay grounded in the nuance of each case rather than relying on a highly standardized process.

The role is especially attractive for underwriters who want meaningful case complexity. The team supports large and sophisticated cases, works under real volume and field pressure, and values underwriters who can balance responsiveness with sound decision-making.

Overall, this is a strong fit for candidates who are energized by challenging work, want exposure to complex brokerage-oriented underwriting, and are looking for a place where strong judgment, partnership, and long-term development are genuinely valued.

This role is open to fully remote work.

This role does not qualify for employer-sponsored work authorization. Nationwide does not participate in the Stem OPT Extension program. 

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Job Description Summary

Our underwriters work hard to provide the exceptional customer experience for which Nationwide is known. Actively engaging with our firms and financial professionals to get to know their clients and their needs builds our understanding of the market, what is needed to win business and put our best offer out first.

If you thrive working autonomously, making decisions on a variety of impactful issues and continuing to learn and adapt to grow, we want to know more about you!

As a Senior Life Underwriting Specialist, you'll analyze, select and classify applications for life insurance of a more complex nature according to established underwriting policies, practices and standards. You'll coordinate life insurance selection standards according to underwriting practices and procedures to achieve satisfactory mortality and morbidity experience and acceptable administrative results. We'll count on you to use independent judgment based on your underwriting authority and company underwriting standards. You will also likely serve as a referral point for less experienced underwriters and will often have cross distributional experience. You may also represent your distribution on underwriting related projects.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: 

• Receives, evaluates and underwrites, on a medical or non-medical basis more complex applications for life insurance up to their maximum handling limit as approved by the Chief Underwriter. Protects the confidentiality of documentation and information acquired throughout the underwriting process. Works independently, but engages referral points, mentors and staff underwriting and medical staff for complex issues and cases.

• Maintains in-depth knowledge of manuals, underwriting materials, rules, regulations, procedures medical factors and practices impacting mortality and morbidity underwriting. Maintains proven understanding of all underwriting administrative systems to conduct business and provides outstanding service to all internal and external customers and field partners.

• Evaluates and accesses applications requiring additional evidence of insurability. Determines the need for and authorizes the ordering of, underwriting requirements to include, but not limited to, medical examinations, blood profiles, home office specimens, attending physician reports, inspection reports, client direct interviews, and other essential information.

• Develops a strong understanding of the accelerated underwriting process and can apply risk-based decision-making skills to determine the appropriate requirements needed to provide protective value as well as determining appropriate risk class.  This may include but not limited to, making fluid-less underwriting decisions as well as the utilization of alternative sources of medical information while maintaining appropriate tolerance for accepting risk.

• Consults with other underwriters and accepts referred cases when designated. Suggests innovative solutions, motivates team performance and facilitates open communication to achieve results.

• Evaluates, appraises and quantifies data derived from personal or business financial information and establishes insurable interest in keeping with the principle of indemnification. Assists with training other team members in this area

• Reaches terms on and coordinates both automatic and facultative reinsurance within the contractual terms and conditions of Nationwide's various reinsurance treaties and product and market practices.

• Meets and presents with field partners as needed. Acquires input and feedback during these visits to build a better understanding of partner needs and expectations.

• Determines eligibility for temporary insurance and authorizes disbursement of policy refunds if the Temporary Insurance Agreement (TIA)is not eligible.  Also authorizes reimbursement for medical records or other fees associated with requirements needed to confirm evidence of insurability.

• Interprets electrocardiogram tracings received as evidence for life insurance applications. Consults with Medical Director on cases where physician input is required.

• Consults with Chief Underwriter, Staff Underwriting, Underwriting Consultants, Senior Underwriters and the Medical Director as the need arises.

• Supports and assists in meeting goals and objectives for varying territories, special agent programs and contests.

• Resolves challenges with effective solutions while maintaining focus on improving time service, quality of application submissions and underwriting quality 

• Handling up to $5,000,000 for life, up to $750,000 sign off for morbidity underwriting, and ability to sign off on exceptions for Intelligent Underwriting.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Underwriting Manager or Director

Typical Skills and Experiences: 

Education: Undergraduate studies in medical related discipline, marketing, insurance, risk management, economics, finance or business management preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: LOMA Level 1 Certificate (LOMA 280, LOMA 290) preferred. Participation in, or attainment of, professional/technical studies or designation such as ALMI (ALU Level 1 Cert, ALU 201, 202, LOMA 320, 335).

Experience: Five years of life underwriting experience

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:  Proven foundation for basic financial underwriting. Ability to evaluate the life financial supplement, understand more sophisticated beneficiary situations, e.g., buy/sell agreements, beneficiaries other than immediate family, foreign risks. In-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology and non-medical risks. For investment life, proven knowledge of independent distribution systems.

Relationships: Very comfortable negotiating offers and calling out on offers that are other than applied for to explain reasons to the advisor or sales leader. 

Basic knowledge of products and reinsurance - is comfortable and has relationships with our facultative reinsurance partners. Advanced ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, with all contacts, including policyholders, applicants, field sales personnel, managers and associates in other operational departments. Exhibits creativity by bringing innovative ideas to problem solving and continually offering new ways to achieve desired objectives and results through effective decision making. Collaborates to resolve complex problems. Ability to analyze performance and financial operating reports to assess cause and effect relationships, and make recommendations providing assistance, knowledge, leadership and improving and influencing overall team efficiency. Constructively resolve customer issues, and within the team and cross-functional areas. Ability to set work priorities that conform to time service and quality standards. Demonstrates resilience.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence. 

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resources Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions: 

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment and may have the option to work from home.  Non-standard hours and some travel may be required.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 08/28/2026. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.

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. To learn more about the benefits we offer,click here.

This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states.