Director, Regional Technical Underwriting - Small Commercial Lines (Property)

National Black MBA Association; Des Moines (IA); Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Regional Technical Underwriting Director to lead commercial underwriting at the regional level. This role emphasizes strategic planning, automation, and collaboration, ensuring profitable outcomes through data-driven insights. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in commercial lines underwriting and a passion for developing talent and improving processes. Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to innovation and exceptional customer service, where your contributions will shape the future of underwriting in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Coverage

Paid Time Off

401(k)

Pension

Business Casual Attire

Qualifications

• 10-15 years in commercial lines underwriting experience.
• 3+ years in insurance technology automation.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic direction for commercial underwriting at the regional level.
• Support automation capabilities and enhance underwriting skills.
• Collaborate with local leadership to optimize financial outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Communication

Strategic Thinking

Customer Focus

Results Orientation

Education

Undergraduate degree in Business

Risk Management or related field

CPCU or similar industry designation

Job description

If you’re passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them, 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 are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

In our new operating model for Small Commercial at Nationwide, this role will focus on creating world-class underwriting capabilities within the small commercial organization at a national level. The shift away from regional technical support means that the role will now concentrate on national underwriting strategy for Property lines.

Responsibilities include defining line strategy and monitoring the mix at the line, geography, and class levels nationally. Additionally, the role involves upskilling underwriting associates based on feedback loops from our quality organization and consultations with associates. While building strategy for today, this role also keeps an eye on the future needs of these two lines to navigate the changing industry landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Planning 25%
2. Appetite and Mix Monitoring 30%
3. Automation Strategy 20%
4. Coverage and Pricing 15%
5. Partnerships 10%

Compensation grade H3.

#LI-AS1

#LI-remote

Job Description Summary

While data and technical acumen are important, we focus equally on helping others learn and succeed when writing and retaining business. If you are both strategic and can dig into the details, love being involved in high-profile, impactful projects where teamwork is key, and can bring excellent decision-making skills to underwriting, we want to know more about you!

As a Regional Technical Underwriting Director, you will develop and provide the strategic direction of commercial underwriting at the regional level. You will be responsible for developing and maturing underwriting competency inside regional operations, supporting automation capabilities, and enhancing underwriting skill sets in the region. You will ensure the integrity of the underwriting mechanism across Small Commercial while supporting strategies and objectives. You will also support collaboration on local strategies, provide leadership and training for national strategies, and analyze industry trends. You will interface with regional leaders and serve as the lead underwriter at the local/regional level.

Key Responsibilities:

• Enable small CL underwriting capability, ensuring profitable outcomes at state, line, and segment levels using data, profitability studies, and market insights.
• Support local leadership with risk consulting tools to identify loss drivers and develop training to improve profitability.
• Partner with Automation team to improve processes, ensure regional buy-in, and promote automation as the standard for small commercial underwriting.
• Collaborate with Middle Market leadership to ensure continuity and explore career development pathways.
• Support geographic analysis and implement national book strategies to optimize financial outcomes.
• Develop and evolve underwriting best practices, standards, and appetite for Small Commercial.
• Participate in local audit and quality efforts to identify training opportunities.

Other responsibilities may be assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to AVP, National Underwriting – Small CL. May have direct and indirect reports.

Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate degree in Business, Risk Management, or related field preferred.

License/Certification: CPCU or similar industry designation preferred.

Experience: 10-15 years in commercial lines underwriting, with 3+ years in insurance technology automation.

Knowledge and Skills: Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills; proven track record in underwriting projects and talent development; strategic thinking; customer focus; results orientation.

Additional criteria and leadership competencies may apply. Staffing exceptions require approval.

Values: Demonstrates Nationwide Values regularly and consistently.

Job Conditions: Exempt, normal office environment, monthly travel required.

ADA: Covers principal functions; specific circumstances may vary.

Applications accepted until 06/05/2025, but early submissions encouraged.

Benefits: Includes medical/dental/vision, life insurance, disability coverage, paid time off, holidays, 401(k), pension, business casual attire, and more. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination and harassment.