This Sr Underwriter, CL position will be part of the Farm Underwriting Team. The person in this role will support agents in the Central and Eastern time zones; therefore, preferred candidates will reside in those time zones or be able to work business hours aligned with those regions.
The ideal candidate will have commercial and/or farm underwriting or cross functional farm/agribusiness experience.
Job Description Summary
Success on our team requires a blend of customer service skill and analytical prowess. There's no shying away from challenges here. Each account we work on is complex and interesting. 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 Senior Underwriter, you'll accept, retain and price moderate to high exposure new, renewal and endorsement commercial business policies based on granted authority. We'll count on you to provide other underwriting technical support, too. You'll work within broad limits of authority on underwriting assignments of high technical complexity. You'll have opportunities to provide guidance and assistance to less experience underwriters and other functional areas. In addition, you'll partner with assigned agencies and field sales underwriters to consult on and develop business opportunities.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
• Gathers information from multiple sources, according to company guidelines, to perform underwriting analysis.
• Reviews individual risks for acceptability and handles those within authority, based on company underwriting guidelines and standards. Underwriting analysis requires review of total relationship using all available information relevant to the book of business.
• Handles workflow and intricacies of underwriting increased volume of work to maintain service level goals, u company tools and systems. Ensures file handling quality and workflow efficiency. May lead larger, more complex work that requires working with and through others to meet overall project timelines and maximize workflow. May assist in managing work inventories within the unit.
• Underwrites new business, renewals and endorsements. Decisions at this level may require review of additional variables, using agency relationships, inspection reports and evaluation of exceptions. May negotiate price and coverage as appropriate to book of business.
• Plans completion of assignments to meet agreed upon timelines and service level agreements, as well as projects of increased complexity, which may include utilizing available reports and data.
• Proactively consults with agents and internal partners to resolve business issues and projects of moderate complexity requiring more discernment or robust solutions. Understands organizational capabilities and opportunities to drive maximum value of relationships. Identifies and drives opportunities for business development.
• Communicates with agents and other internal and external business partners by requesting and providing requested information.
• Strengthens agency relationships through quality contact on underwriting matters, promoting profit and new business growth, renewal retention and service capabilities. Participates in the review and analysis of agency business performance.
• Responds to requests from agents and underwriting staff with resolution within established time and service standards in order to facilitate and expedite service needs. Routes calls and higher-level issues to appropriate individuals. May handle advanced customer service issues.
• Educates internal and external partners on underwriting process, practice and tools. Helps train less experienced underwriting staff. May participate in training development or delivery as a subject matter authority.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Reporting Relationships: Reports to supervisor or manager; no direct reports.
Typical Skills and Experiences:
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
License/Certification/Designation: Completion of INS, AU or similar designations with progress toward CIC and/or CPCU is preferred.
Experience: Typically, three years of underwriting experience preferred. Experience leading or working on complex projects and teams preferred.
Knowledge/Abilities/Skills: Commercial underwriting policy, practices and procedures. Rating plans and plan concepts. State and federal insurance laws and regulations. Commercial insurance processing systems. Solid understanding of company operations and products. Verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts. Ability to evaluate and recommend solutions to work-related problems. Ability to analyze insurance risks to determine the degree of acceptability and pricing. Effective time management skills and competencies preferred. Ability to operate personal computer and related software. Ability to advise agents and agency staff on commercial contracts, procedures and business practices.
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.
Job Conditions:
Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)
Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Occasional travel may be required to visit clients or attend meetings. Extended or non-standard work hours as required to meet business need.
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.
Smoke-Free Iowa Statement: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas on or around company premises as well as company issued vehicles. The company offers designated smoking areas in which smoking is permitted at each individual location. The Act prohibits retaliation for reporting complaints or violations. For more information on the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, individuals may contact the Smokefree Air Act Helpline at [redacted].
For NY residents please review the following state law information: Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations LS740 (ny.gov) https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/02/ls740_1.pdf
NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES:
We value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. Nationwide does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. All resumes submitted by employment agencies directly to any Nationwide employee or hiring manager in any form without a signed Nationwide Client Services Agreement on file and search engagement for that position will be deemed unsolicited in nature. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is subsequently hired as a result of the referral or through other means.
Nationwide pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement within the actual starting salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. If a Sales job, Sales Incentives, based on performance goals are possible in addition to this range. Note on Compensation for Part-Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full-time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full-time schedule.
The national salary range for Sr Underwriter - Commercial Lines : $62,500.00-$115,500.00
The expected starting salary range for Sr Underwriter - Commercial Lines : $62,500.00 - $93,500.00