Sr Specialist, Staff Underwriting - P&C (Small Commercial Technical Underwriting)

Nationwide Insurance; Scottsdale (AZ); Remote; USD 78,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Nationwide Insurance is seeking a Senior Specialist for their Property and Casualty team. This role focuses on underwriting strategy and ensuring alignment with risk appetite. The candidate will collaborate with various teams to enhance products and drive efficiencies while leveraging analytics and project management capabilities. Ideal candidates will have substantial underwriting experience along with strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Company-paid pension plan

Paid time off (minimum of 18 days)

Business casual attire

Qualifications

• 6+ years of product-related underwriting experience in field/line operations.
• Deep knowledge of commercial underwriting principles and practices.

Responsibilities

• Conducts research for the development and interpretation of underwriting policies.
• Assesses insurance coverage and underwriting problems.
• Participates in development of risk standards and product performance.
• Provides assistance to line operations regarding coverage, rules, and standards.

Skills

Technical Commercial Underwriting expertise

Project Management

Innovation/Problem Solver

Data proficiency

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

CPCU certification

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.

This opening is within the Small Commercial National Technical Underwriting unit. It can be filled in a remote/work-from-home (WFH) capacity or in one of our offices.

Anticipated key responsibilities expected of this role, in addition to the overall scope described in the corporate job profile:

• Partners with Technical Consultants and Directors on project execution, providing coordination, documentation, and administrative support to help drive initiative success.
• Collaborates with the Automation Team to ensure project alignment and cohesion between technical and automation functions, leveraging data analytics tools to support various projects and initiatives.
• Assisting with the ongoing management of Knowledge Advanced, including content updates and supporting the transition to the P&C Knowledge Center (PCKC).
• Supports the maintenance of Handling Procedure documentationin collaboration with the Automation team to ensure accuracy and alignment with operational standards. integration across digital workflows, promoting consistency and efficiency.
• Contributes to underwriter developmentby sharing insights, surfacing best practices, and supporting upskilling efforts.
• Supporting external-facing appetite initiatives, including updates and maintenance of platforms such as Ask Kodiak and the Commercial Appetite Directory (CAD).

Candidates should possess the below core skills:

• Technical Commercial Underwriting expertise: Demonstrates deep knowledge of commercial underwriting principles and practices necessary to perform role-specific responsibilities effectively.
• PolicyCenter: Well-versed in PolicyCenter.
• Regulatory/Guidelines: Experience in regulatory requirements in Commercial Underwriting and creation of Underwriting guidelines.
• Project Management:Possesses the ability to organize, prioritize, and manage tasks effectively to support the successful execution of projects and initiatives
• Innovation/Problem Solver: Applies creative thinking and embraces emerging technologies to develop effective solutions that enhance processes, improve efficiency, and deliver measurable business value.
• Strategic Foresight: Anticipates industry trends and evolving customer needs to inform long-term planning, identify growth opportunities, and shape future-focused strategies.
• Communication: Clearly articulates information and adapts messaging to diverse audiences to ensure mutual understanding and effective collaboration.
• Professionalism:Consistently demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a high standard of conduct in all interactions, fostering trust and credibility across teams and stakeholders.
• Data proficiency: Leverages tools such as Power BI and PowerApps to analyze data, automate workflows, and deliver actionable insights that support decision-making.
• Resiliency & Agility: Thrives in ambiguity, adapts to shifting priorities, and remains effective under pressure while navigating unexpected challenges.

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

Developing the underwriting strategy and ensuring it meets our risk appetite is essential to Nationwide's profitability and overall success. Our team utilizes our analysis and problem solving skills to enable solutions that drive underwriting efficiency and streamlined approaches. If you are a creative problem solver, have strategic agility, and are an excellent communicator, we want to know more about you!

As a Senior Specialist, you'll conduct research and provide input into the development, revision and interpretation of underwriting policies, standards and practices. We'll count on you to participate in development and improvement of products, with emphasis on growth and profitability and help coordinate efforts between home office and field operations.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Serves as product/underwriting staff specialist for assigned product(s) and operational area (state, region, access point, distribution channel, etc.)

• Provides assistance to line operations in the interpretations of coverage, rules and acceptance standards in accordance with company policy or criteria established by rating bureaus, insurance departments or legislative activity.

• Assesses specific insurance coverage and underwriting problems. Participates in the development or refinement of risk standards. Communicates technical information on products and systems.

• Conducts underwriting performance reviews of line operations, recommends remedial action, and assists with implementing such actions.

• Develops, seeks and analyzes market information relative to market potential, products, loss expense and profitability of market segments. Finds opportunities to improve product performance and recommends action plan to staff management.

• Participates in various states filing activities and on task teams and functional audits.

• Writes systems requirements for new initiatives and finalizing special requests for technology updates with systems leadership. Project manages all rate review implementations at state-level across pricing, systems, and regional offices.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Staff Officer/Director.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Bachelor's degree preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: Relevant professional designation such as CPCU helpful.

Experience: Typically, six years of product-related underwriting experience in field/line operations

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Requires proven knowledge of property/casualty products, insurance company operations, and field and/or staff functions. In-depth knowledge of assigned product line (standard auto, nonstandard auto, homeowners, commercial, etc.) required. Demonstrated decision-making and analysis skills. Able to connect with field leadership, staff management and other departments. Ability to lead project team in all aspects of product/underwriting activities.

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

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by Product/Staff Executive and Human Resources.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Occasional field travel may be required

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

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 06/27/2025. 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.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.

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 888-944-2247.
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. The national salary range for Sr Specialist, Staff Underwriting - P&C : $70,000.00-$145,500.00 The expected starting salary range for Sr Specialist, Staff Underwriting - P&C : $78,000.00 - $117,000.00