Lead Program Underwriter, Professional & Healthcare

If you’re passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them at a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales, 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 and partners are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

Join the Nationwide E&S Programs team as the lead underwriter for our Professional & Healthcare programs. Bring your expertise to complex risks, help shape portfolio strategy, and evaluate new program opportunities. You’ll work directly with Program Administrators and partner across Product, Finance, Actuarial, Claims, and Reinsurance to develop thoughtful underwriting strategies and strong, sustainable results. As a technical leader, you’ll help guide underwriting direction, share expertise, and strengthen consistency across the team—making a meaningful impact on the future growth of these specialized programs.

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

Are you a problem solver 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 know more about you!

As a Consultant, you'll be responsible for reviewing and analyzing numerous, highly complex lines of business. You'll underwrite individual risk for acceptability, pricing, coverage, terms and conditions. You'll lead in the development and integration of new and existing programs and identify new program opportunities. You will participate in making reinsurance decisions; assist in developing and implementing loss control and risk management strategies. You'll collaborate between business partners for development and implementation of program specific tools (i. e. underwriting guidelines, forms/rate filings, etc) for new programs or modifications to existing programs. You'll communicate program updates to program managers and other business liaisons. In order to succeed, you will need to build and maintain effective relationships with internal business liaisons, external program managers, and other key partners. You will be responsible for the training and mentoring of underwriting team members.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

Drives the sales and underwriting relationship for Programs products and services. Provides input and data to help drive and implement strategic underwriting plans. Provides business forecasting related to trends, and profitability within Program vertical. Responsible for achieving established goals for assigned programs.

Analyzes program manager relationships/results and recommends corrective actions if necessary. Understands business needs and identifies new business opportunities.

Reviews highly complex ((e.g. including D&O, E&O, Employment Practices Liability, Medical Professional Liability, Contractual Liability, Cyber Liability, Shared and Layered Property, General Liability, Excess, auto, Recreation Marine, Energy, Environmental, Inland Marine, Warranty and Workers Compensation) individual risks, programs, or referrals within assigned territory from program managers and declines or accepts business based upon information necessary to make the decision. Some of the risks could be multinational or have alternative arrangements in place that make them unique. Acts as a subject matter expert in analyzing exposures to losses; develops adequate premium charge for the exposure. Determines appropriate endorsements and exclusions to address loss exposures for the insurance contract.

Actively engages in discussions with reinsurers per department guidelines verifying the appropriate use of all reinsurance facilities used by the department, including various treaty, semi-automatic and facultative reinsurance. Responsible for compiling data to be provided for reinsurers presentations. Maintains good working relationship with reinsurers.

Develops and implements underwriting guidelines, rates, forms, product endorsements and procedures. Assists in the development of department policies and underwriting and standard methodologies.

Interacts with various business partners (i.e. claims, actuary, compliance, etc.) to achieve company goals and objectives. Acts as an internal consultant responsible for resolving escalated issues and communicating to business liaisons and external sources regarding program initiatives.

Responsible for audits of individual risks/programs for compliance with company guidelines, state regulations and reinsurance conditions. Development and implementation of specific action plans may be required. Responsible for the resolution of advanced complex technical issues.

Independently establishes and maintains effective relationships with Program Managers in order to generate growth and profitably. Travels to existing and potential program manager offices, as required for marketing visits. Frequently entertains Program Managers to market services and ensure strong relationships to write profitable business.

Leads in the implementation of all new programs from development of underwriting guidelines, form/rate filings, compliance/regulatory matters, finance, reinsurance, claims, legal, accounting, actuarial and marketing matters to ensure proper program integration.

Attends industry functions to promote E&S/S Programs brand and capabilities of the programs team in order to help identify new program business opportunities.

Acts as a resource for direction, training and guidance for less experienced staff. May be responsible for underwriting and support staff.

Maintains knowledge of insurance regulations; provides consulting regarding legislation that impacts the organization.

May Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Director/AVP. Acts primarily as an individual contributor; may have three or less direct reports.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education : Undergraduate studies with focus in Finance, Accounting Economics, and/or Risk Management. Graduate degree preferred.

Experience : Typically five or more years related experience as a Professional, Financial and/or Specialty lines underwriter. Program leadership experience in professional lines of business is preferred. Some experience in the technical aspects of data management, imaging and procedures and processes helpful.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills : Demonstrated knowledge of Professional, Financial, and/or Specialty lines underwriting policies, practices and procedures, insurance law and underwriting marketing principles and techniques. Strong understanding of financial documents, financial analysis, investments, market conditions essential. Legal knowledge related to insurance, contract and business law preferred. Understanding of employment principles and practices.

Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with internal/external business partners at all levels. Must have skills to influence and negotiate with internal/external business partners at all levels. Must have the ability to manage large programs; develop and apply innovative approaches to program initiatives and problem solutions. Proven ability to analyze and interpret mathematical, statistical and logical data, and evaluate its reliability and significance. Must have project and process management skills. Must have ability to evaluate, analyze and devise solutions to complex programs; implement the most appropriate solution and monitor the effectiveness. A