Associate Territory Manager, Middle Market Commercial Insurance (Southern California)

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.

This is a junior territory management & production underwriting role focused on Middle Market accounts across the Manufacturing, Wholesale/Distribution, Real Estate, Retail, and Food Service industry segments. You will own a defined renewal book and new business goal, with personal underwriting authority and accountability for profitable results.

Territory: Southern California

This is a Work-From-Home (WFH) position involving approximately 25% travel to agency partners. Strong preference to physically reside in the respective territory - most ideally, in the LA / Orange County metro area, but other areas will also be considered.

Minimum qualifications:

• Multi-line commercial insurance underwriting experience, including underwriting authority
• A passion for driving profitable growth through agency engagement

Preferred qualifications:

• Underwriting experience with accounts larger than 100k in DWP
• Industry segment experience in Manufacturing, Wholesale/Distribution, Real Estate, Retail, and/or Food Service & Accommodation
• Insurance designations or coursework, such as CPCU, CIC, or AU

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

On our team, we look for that rare professional who is both analytical and a relationship-builder. Those who can combine those talents with their entrepreneurial drive and own and manage their territory can thrive and grow with us. If this sounds like the opportunity you've been looking for, we want to hear from you!

As an Associate Territory Manager, You'll be the primary relationship manager for middle market new and renewal business, through direct contact with a territory of select agencies or brokers. We'll count on you to drive profit and premium to meet financial goals and objectives through development, negotiation and execution of business plans. Your leadership and influencing skills will be key as you help agencies create and implement sales strategies, processes and practices that drive new sales, increase shelf space, profit and member retention. Your collaboration with internal partners will be important to support and increase the overall Nationwide presence.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Underwrites new business, renewals and endorsements based on authority level and appetite. Decisions at this level may require review of additional variables, leveraging agency, sales and underwriting relationships, inspection reports and evaluation of exceptions.

• Reviews individual risks for acceptability and handles those within authority based on company underwriting guidelines and standards. Analyzes quality and quantity of risks underwritten and prepares reports accordingly. May review agency books of business as well as profit/growth results and trends to recommend and implement action plans. May perform portfolio analysis or additional underwriting analysis in support of unit objectives.

• Monitors market conditions, competitive landscape, and confirms information gathered within market space. Researches risk, environment and factors necessary to win the account.

• Achieves production, profitability and service objectives. Quotes, prices and underwrites new and renewal policies and endorsements, primarily for complex or service sensitive accounts. Monitors risk selection and pricing decisions for entire agency plant, both on a book of business and individual account level basis.

• Manages workflow and intricacies of underwriting assigned work by utilizing company tools and systems. Ensures file handling quality and workflow efficiency. Manages large, complex work and coordinates work with and through others to meet service level agreements. Effectively influences activities of Middle Market Business Development Team to facilitate the successful delivery and execution of select agency business plans.

• Completes agency visits as appropriate to develop new accounts, service existing accounts, review agency performance, enhance agency relationship and to develop business solutions. Consults with agencies regarding risk management and coverage options to improve retention and profitability. Develops and maintains strong business relationships with agencies, producers and key groups. Effectively communicates with agencies to establish the company as the provider of choice for the territory for all enterprise products with an emphasis on commercial lines. Communicates product, technology changes and company objectives. Communicates and collaborates actively with team members and leadership to share industry trends, and field underwriting experience.

• Drives robust agency business planning to deliver detailed performance plans with actions, account abilities and scheduled performance checkpoints. Ensures strong territorial objectives to maximize profit and pipeline management. Proactively identifies opportunities for all lines of business and refers to appropriate business leaders. Plans and coordinates the efforts of the Middle Market Business Development Team regarding new business, renewals, service plans, etc. Identifies prospects and recommends new agency appointments.

• Markets Nationwide products and services to help drive agency and company results, including all enterprise products that may enhance offerings. Assists agency with strategies for pipeline management, producer development and to develop new business in targeted industries and preferred markets. Responds effectively to assess accounts and develop business propositions that win the business.

• Leads delivery of appropriate customer service levels. Follows up and ensures proper handling of escalated customer service requests.

• Ensures that tools, training and support are in place to positively impact success for the agencies and territory. Identifies and communicates training needs and opportunities. Participates in program and product orientation meetings in conjunction with Sales/Marketing partners as the underwriting subject matter expert.

• Monitors business plan results to determine performance and development of any action plans to ensure alignment with underwriting philosophies, standards and performance expectations. Reviews business in process, lost business and drives implementation of business plan. Leads discussion for assigned agents in agency reviews.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned. 

Reporting Relationships: Reports to MM Business Development Director. Individual contributor.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate degree in business administration or management preferred. Technical insurance coursework toward designations of CPCU, CLU, FLMI, etc. is desirable.

Experience: Three years Commercial Lines underwriting experience required, additional sales experience preferred. Successful completion of the first phase (training) of the Associate Territory Manager role required.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Ability to manage heavy workload effectively and backup other team members as needed. Thorough working knowledge of commercial underwriting, pricing and coverage for commercial business. Knowledge of company sales and underwriting standards and practices company commercial products and programs. Knowledge of state statutes and regulations. Excellent interpersonal and sales skills. Ability to build and maintain cooperative and mutually rewarding internal and external partnerships. Must have the ability to perform duties with independent judgment with underwriting authority and company underwriting standards. Demonstrated decision-making ability required in day-to-day operations where there may be unclear or competing priorities, including evaluating and recommending solutions to customer service, work processing, underwriting selection and rating and best practices compliance. Strong drive for results.

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 the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Heavy travel with extended stays may be required. Most incumbents work from a remote location. A valid drivers license and safe driving record are required.

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.

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.

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. Note on Compensation for Part-Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full-time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full-time schedule.

The national salary range for Associate Territory Manager, Middle Market Business Development - Commercial Lines : $88,000.00-$163,500.00

The expected starting salary range for Associate Territory Manager, Middle Market Business Development - Commercial Lines : $88,000.00 - $132,000.00