Technical Director, P&C Underwriting (Commercial Auto - Underwriting Center of Excellence)

Nationwide Insurance; Columbus (OH); Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Technical Director to enhance their underwriting strategy and ensure alignment with risk appetites. This role emphasizes collaboration across teams, driving profitable outcomes through data-driven insights and best practices. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in casualty underwriting, particularly in commercial auto, and possess excellent communication and strategic skills. Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and teamwork, and make a significant impact in the insurance sector while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off

Business Casual Attire

Life Insurance

Disability Coverage

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in property and casualty underwriting.
• Strong knowledge of insurance operations and industry trends.
• Ability to lead teams and manage projects effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop underwriting strategies to meet risk appetite.
• Collaborate with various teams to drive profitability.
• Manage projects for profitability initiatives.

Skills

Casualty Underwriting

Commercial Auto

Data Analysis

Project Management

Strategic Agility

Education

Bachelor's Degree

CPCU Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project Management Software

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.

Position Overview

This position is part of the Center of Excellence team and collaborates with Nationwide’s Excess and Surplus/Specialty (ESS) and Commercial Lines Value chains.

• Familiarity with both standard commercial lines and excess and surplus lines is preferred.
• Focus areas include:
  • Best-in-class underwriting
  • Pricing
  • Risk selection
  • Governance

This position works with each business unit to drive profitable outcomes by:

• Developing and maintaining clear appetite and underwriting guidelines
• Implementing portfolio best practices
• Keeping an eye on emerging risks
• Providing data-driven insights for the assigned lines of business.

Ideal candidates have a strong background in casualty underwriting with an emphasis on commercial auto and excess/umbrella commercial auto. Additional experience in other insurance disciplines (such as analytics, claims, product, actuarial, or risk management) is beneficial.

The role involves working with ambiguity, leading project teams, and challenging norms.

The Center of Excellence team collaborates across Nationwide offices and remote worker locations, using frequent video conferencing.

The position reports to the VP-Casualty Underwriting Performance and currently does not have direct reports, but may in the future.

Additional Details

#LI-AS1

#LI-remote

Pay band H3 (internal use)

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 Technical Director, you'll provide management of commercial or personal line product(s) for a line of business. We'll count on you to develop and recommend underwriting or product policies, procedures and standards. You'll ensure coordination between home office and field operations and support the development and implementation of strategies that support multiple product related profitability objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads the development of strategy and direction for the assigned product(s). Leads key initiatives to address the product strategy and profitability objectives. Reinforces understanding, communication and execution of product/underwriting strategy.
• Provides technical assistance and support to state/regional underwriting and services leadership. Maintains relationships with new entities, access points and distribution channels that need the support and expertise of product/underwriting staff operations.
• Manages projects for assigned profitability initiatives. Ensures that each area within the function is following the formal project management process for those projects designated as high priority.
• Serves on various committees, project teams and industry boards as assigned.
• Ensures product functional audits, training, vendor selection and management, employee career enhancement, competitive monitoring, systems, and liaison to other business units.
• Identifies market trends, publishing insights, and understanding the market dynamics for the area of responsibility. Includes responsibility for defining performance indicators, account segmentation and identification of key account characteristics that drive performance.
• Sets and administers levels of authority for company on assigned line of business.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to Staff Vice President or Officer and leads a team of up to three Underwriting professionals.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or post-graduate studies preferred.

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

Experience: Typically, 10 years of property and casualty (personal and/or commercial) lines underwriting, including at least five years of management experience. Exposure to both field and staff office operations preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Requires proven knowledge of property/casualty products, insurance company operations, industry trends, and project management. Demonstrated decision-making and strategic abilities. Ability to lead staff, committees and project participants 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 the hiring manager’s leader and HR Business Partner.

Values and Conditions

Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

• Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)
• Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Frequent travel may be required.
• ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be the principal and essential functions of the job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a different combination of duties.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 06/05/2025. Early submissions are encouraged as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical/dental/vision, life insurance, disability coverage, paid time off, holidays, 401(k) with company match, pension plan, business casual attire, and more. Click here to learn more.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture. Discrimination and harassment are prohibited and we provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants.

Additional Information

This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states. Smoking policies and legal notices are also included as per regulations.