Sr Director, Business Development - Surety (Large Commercial)

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.

Compensation Grade: 8

Will cover Western Region.

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Job Description Summary

Do you thrive in an environment where you can put your critical thinking and communication skills to work every day? Do you appreciate being able to contribute individually as well as collaboratively? Our Surety Underwriting team values initiative, the ambition to grow and learn, a broad skill set that includes everything from marketing to finance to risk analysis and a solutions focused approach. We’re technology savvy and highly motivated to grow our business with excellent career advancement opportunities. If you can see yourself as a member of our team, in a company that wants to grow in this space, then we want to know more about you!

Single point of contact for regional leaders; supports the surety underwriting team by setting strategy and guidelines to support production and profitability goals as well as to help identify and develop overall marketing strategy. Works with regional underwriting teams on the largest, most complex accounts. Deepens relationships with key agents and large accounts.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:  

• Conducts detailed research on all aspects of the surety underwriting market segment to help make policy and practice decisions. Gathers information from multiple sources according to company guidelines, in order to perform underwriting analysis. May require gathering verbal information or data through reports or other electronic means.

• Analyzes performance of portfolio as well as individual account performance and develops appropriate action to drive growth based on analysis. Evaluates the largest and most complex underwriting risks in the assigned market segment.

• Prepares files for review by Surety officer for accounts outside of NSF authority limits or reinsurance treaty exceptions.

• Manages underwriting processes of regional office staff, developing and implementing standard methodologies, seeking continuous improvement and efficiency gains.

• Manages underwriter authority statements, recommending authority levels to AVP.

• Tracks monthly production activity to provide DWP growth estimates to leadership.

• Helps develop state expansion plans, including rate filings, system availability and agent segmentation and appointment process.

• Leads annual agent segmentation process to help identify Premier and Partner agents to help develop underwriter focus and create individual marketing plans.

• Supports directors with underwriting activities, providing guidance and support. Leads underwriting file audits, reporting findings and suggestions to directors and AVP.

• Provides support for annual production goals by region and state. Participates in annual budget forecasting.

• Works with P&C sales and underwriting groups to align strategies to support enterprise growth.

• Provides industry updates; including competitive intelligence, recent court cases, and shares with underwriting teams. Suggests and implements changes to underwriting philosophy based on changes in market conditions.

• Establishes and maintains open and effective communications with leadership, other underwriting management, sales/agents, and other field/home office operations on a formal and informal basis. Travels with staff to deepen relationships with key agents and large accounts.

• Assists in setting operational expectations, goals, and strategies. Ensures appropriate service levels are achieved and provides guidance when necessary. Follows up on and ensures proper handling of advanced customer service requests. Assists in the development and communication of NSF Value Proposition. Helps develop marketing materials for agent visits and conventions.

• Works in partnership with underwriting leaders to develop and manage the training of associates to ensure a high degree of proficiency and professionalism.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships:  Reports to VP; No direct reports.

Typical Skills and Experiences:  

Education: Undergraduate degree in business administration, insurance, risk management, economics or finance preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: Actively pursuing of AFSB, CPCU or other related insurance certification desired.

Experience: Ten years’ experience in surety underwriting including at least five years management or consultant experience preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Commercial Surety & Fidelity Products, credit/collections, rating, and related functions; and surety customer environment and markets. Also requires extensive knowledge of surety underwriting standard methodologies, field underwriting operations, and day-to-day underwriting operational needs. Familiarity with other lines of business preferred. Demonstrated decision-making ability required in day-to-day operations involving the evaluation and recommendation of solutions to underwriting issues, customer service issues, underwriting selection and rating problems, and standard methodologies compliance. Ability to manage and lead associates in all aspects of surety operations.

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 Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment with travel expected. May require valid driver’s license.

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.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 01/03/2025. 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.

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 Director, Business Development - Surety : $136,000.00-$267,000.00

The expected starting salary range for Sr Director, Business Development - Surety : $142,000.00 - $237,000.00

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