Compensation Grade: G4

Ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate extensive experience in underwriting both Public Auto & Business Auto segments within the Excess & Surplus/Specialty Lines market. Candidate should also be comfortable underwriting a broad range of business from best-to-distressed (i.e. both Contract Binding & Brokerage business, Fleet and Non-Fleet, with or without Facultative Reinsurance, etc.)

Please note this role may be filled at a different level depending on candidate skills and experience.

*Colorado Residents: Email taproces@nationwide.com for salary information.

Job Description Summary

Are you a critical thinker who can analyze complex risk and find insurance solutions that balance customer needs with business goals? If you can take initiative, use both your analytical and creative abilities to make sound decisions and have a desire to help people solve real challenges, we want to hear from you!

Our Excess & Surplus/Specialty (E&S/S) lines allow us to provide insurance that other carriers may not offer. It’s a fast-paced environment in a collaborative, team-oriented culture, working in an always-changing, growing industry.

As a Consultant, Underwriting, you will underwrite individual risk for acceptability, pricing, coverage, terms and conditions, by developing, analyzing and evaluating information and exposures on risks of the most complex, technical nature. You will be responsible for achieving production and loss ratio goals within assigned territory by reviewing and analyzing claims, loss history and taking appropriate action on individual accounts, program or territory. You will also audit and manage specialized programs as assigned. Territory assignments are the most complex in terms of coverage, programs, and agents/broker/program manager relationships. You will need to exercise a high level of authority and judgment with minimal direction. In addition, in this role you’ll be responsible for determining appropriate reinsurance placement, if any, on individual accounts or programs. We will count on you to foster positive business relationships with co-workers, agents, brokers, program managers and reinsurers. You will have opportunities to provide research, development and presentations of new programs, including market viability forms development, manuals and available reinsurance. You will assist the manager with department strategies and employee mentoring and development.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: 

• Reviews individual risks or programs within assigned territory from agents, brokers or program managers and either declines or accepts business based upon information necessary to make the decision. The underwriter analyzes, with the highest level of technical expertise and accuracy, exposures to loss, develops an adequate premium charge for the exposure and determines appropriate endorsements and exclusions to address loss exposures for the insurance contract. Within department guidelines places reinsurance, if any, for the account.

• Achieves individual production and loss ratio goals within assigned territory through sound territory management and marketing. Works with the most complex issues concerning coverage, programs, agents, brokers and program managers. The underwriter continually analyzes premium and loss results in their territory by agency, state, major class of business and by program. Performs audits of agents, individual risks and programs for compliance with company guidelines, state regulations and reinsurance conditions. Development and implementation of specific action plans may be required.

• Handles policy maintenance items and other mid-term requests. Reviews endorsement requests and processes necessary changes to the policy. Reviews loss control reports and makes recommendations to the agent and/or changes to the policy. Follows up on outstanding information as required. Reviews claim activity and takes appropriate action.

• Fosters positive business relationships with agents and brokers through daily contact with assigned agents by developing and maintaining good rapport and resolving agency conflicts.  Travels to agency offices as required for audits, training or marketing visits. Entertains agents visiting the company as required. Assists with development of marketing ideas and strategies for underwriting seminars and other marketing campaigns.

• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of facultative reinsurance and places reinsurance per department guidelines based upon the appropriate use of all reinsurance facilities used by the department, including various treaty, semiautomatic and facultative reinsurance. Maintains good working relationships with reinsurers. Assists with the development of treaty proposals.

• Researches and develops new programs as directed. Assesses market viability, creates forms & endorsements, and develops rates with actuarial support. Programs may include risk purchasing groups, captives or other alternative risk transfer mechanisms.

• Responsible for the resolution of technical questions of the highest complexity.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships:  Reports to Department Manager   Direct Reports: Up to 3 employees.

Typical Skills and Experiences: 

Education:  Undergraduate studies and completion of general insurance courses such as CPCU, CIC, AU, ARM, CPIW, CWIS, or ASLI is preferred.

Experience:  Eight years underwriting experience handling large or complex programs and accounts, excess & surplus lines preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:  Ability to communicate effectively, verbally, and in writing, interpersonally with individuals and groups via telephone, fax, e-mail and in person. Demonstrates advanced negotiation skills and ability to work as a project lead. Ability to manage the line of business assigned, Ability to work with the wholesale/general agency distribution system, Ability to analyze highly complex insurance risks to determine acceptability including policy language, various commercial and alternative rating plans and methodologies, reinsurance, Ability to use/learn job related computer software. Ability to handle the most complex accounts. Ability to devise business solutions to complex problems, implement the most appropriate, and monitor the effectiveness. Ability to make decisions on highly complex issues and work with minimal direction. Ability to train and mentor all levels of underwriters, underwriting assistants and interns. Ability to analyze and interpret mathematical, statistical and logical data, and evaluate its reliability and significance.

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

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the Vice President or Human Resources and HR Business Partner.

Values:  Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions: 

Overtime Eligibility:  Exempt (Not Eligible)

Working Conditions:  Normal office environment. Extended and non-standard work hours based on project and customer deliverables.

ADA:  The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.