Location is Scottsdale, AZ office. Open to remote locations as well. 

This individual will primarily handle accounts in western states, especially California.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Strong decision making, time management, and customer service competencies
• Ability to make quick decisions, handling smaller accounts (contract)
• Commercial and E&S underwriting experience
• Experience handling California policies/accounts a plus

Compensation Grade: F4

Please note that this role may be filled at either the Sr. Underwriter or Underwriter II level, depending on qualifications and related experience.

Multiple positions are available.

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 Senior Underwriter, you will determine individual risk acceptability, pricing, coverage, terms and conditions, by developing, analyzing and evaluating information and exposures on risks of a 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. You will work independently, and be responsible for determining appropriate reinsurance placement, if any, on individual accounts. It’s important to establish and maintain effective relationships with brokers to generate premium dollars and profitably. Territory assignments are more complex in terms of coverage and agent/broker/program manager relationships. In this role, you may also develop, audit and manage specialized programs, agents or territories. You will have opportunities to train and mentor Underwriters and Underwriting Assistants.

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 a high level of technical expertise, 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 more 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 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.

• 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 relationship with reinsurers.

• Other responsibilities as assigned may include program research and development, form development, rate development, technical assistance to Agents, Underwriting Assistants, and other Underwriters.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships:  Reports to Department Manager

Typical Skills and Experiences: 

Education:  Undergraduate degree preferred. Equivalent work experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. Completion of general insurance courses such as CPCU, CIC, AU, ARM, CPIW, CWIS, or ASLI is preferred.

Experience:  Six years related experience or five years as an underwriter, excess & surplus lines preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:  Knowledge of lines underwriting policies, practices and procedures, insurance law and underwriting marketing principles and techniques, rating plans and plan concepts, Treaty & Facultative reinsurance concepts, general agency system and company operations, regulatory issues, the general agency system, market conditions and company operations. Ability to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing, interpersonally with individuals and groups via telephone, fax, e-mail and in person. Demonstrates advanced negotiation skills. Ability to manage the assigned line or lines of business, which may include monitoring of aggregates. Ability to work with the wholesale/general agency distribution system. Ability to analyze insurance risks to determine acceptability including policy language, various commercial rating plans and methodologies, reinsurance. Ability to use/learn job related computer software. Ability to devise business solutions to problems, implement the most appropriate, and monitor its effectiveness. Ability to make decisions with minimal supervision.

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 HR Business Partner.

Values:  Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions: 

Overtime Eligibility:  Exempt (Not Eligible)  

Working Conditions:  Normal office environment. Travel out of state as required several times a year. In-town entertaining required as necessary after 5:00 P.M.

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.