Sr Consultant, Underwriting Practice – Middle Market (Agribusiness)

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.

Helps turn complex risk challenges into practical, tailored solutions for customers. The Senior Consultant, Underwriting Practice will support the development and execution of captive and alternative risk strategies by working across underwriting, product, sales, and key business partners. This role is ideal for someone who brings strong analytical thinking, business acumen, and curiosity about creative risk financing solutions. It’s an opportunity to help build a growing capability, influence meaningful decisions, and contribute to solutions that support profitable growth.

Preferred candidates will be based in Des Moines, IA and work in a hybrid environment; however, remote candidates will also be considered.

Job Description Summary

While data and technical acumen are important, we focus equally on helping others learn and succeed when writing and retaining business. If you are both strategic and can dig into the details, love being involved in high-profile, impactful projects where teamwork is key, and can bring excellent decision-making skills to underwriting middle market business, we want to know more about you!
As a Senior Consultant, you'll develop and recommend underwriting policies, procedures and standards to be implemented in Middle Market. You'll have a specialty practice designation, e.g., construction, specialty care or a property or casualty designation. We'll count on you to provide advice and counsel on specific risks/accounts, policy forms, underwriting appetite and guidelines, technical training initiatives, underwriting projects and agency relationships.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides highly technical underwriting perspective to assigned field teams. Assesses underwriting opportunities and make consultative recommendations. Consults with field staff on new or highly specialized concepts, business or practice opportunities. This may involve assessment of the opportunity, risk exposure and decision to accept/reject business.

• Provides technical evaluation and recommended action for risks submitted by field organization. Makes final recommendation relative to highly specialized/niche underwriting opportunities that are advanced from the field practices. Coaches and prepares field team for negotiations with agents and customers.

• Maintains competitive intelligence to consult and mentor field team on writing and retaining profitable business. Consults and coaches on account stewardship as needed.

• Assists assigned field management team with book/portfolio management issues and execution.

• Leads research to develop/implement underwriting initiatives and makes recommendations for new products (e.g. forms/endorsements) to meet market needs. Works with Commercial Lines Product and Performance organization in development of any new products. Anticipates, understands and addresses the impact that any underwriting projects and initiatives have on other teams (e.g. Product, Loss Control, AUs etc.)

• Coaches, mentors, trains and develops underwriting expertise of field Territory Managers and Underwriters.

• Develops, maintains and utilizes key business relationships with Quality, Loss Control, Premium Audit, Claim/CBC team members as well as field leaders to strengthen overall underwriting acumen of middle market business.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Underwriting Practice Director, Middle Market National Underwriting; may be responsible for direct and indirect reports.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate studies in business, or other related subject area, plus advanced studies preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: CPCU, ARM or other industry designation or equivalent preferred.

Experience: Typically, more than 10 years of commercial lines underwriting experience, including at least five years of middle market experience in area of specialty, e.g., property, casualty, construction, specialty care.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Strong underwriting and insurance industry acuity and overall business savvy. Exposure/experience in both field and staff operations preferred. Detailed knowledge of products/forms, underwriting policies and procedures and standard methodologies. Proven knowledge of financials, trend analysis and competitor data to assist in effective territory/book management and counsel of assigned field team. Strong communication, collaboration, relationship management and influencing skills to effectively interact with all levels of the field team, including upper management. Additional key skills include: proven excellence in decision quality, problem solving and strategic abilities. Has strong ability to drive for results and deal with ambiguity. Customer focus and conflict resolution skills are also essential.

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 Human Resources Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Exempt (Not eligible)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment or work from home; some travel may be required. Must have a valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards. 

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 07/10/2026. 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. 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 Sr Consultant, Underwriting Practice - Middle Market : $122,000.00-$214,000.00

The expected starting salary range for Sr Consultant, Underwriting Practice - Middle Market : $122,000.00 - $182,000.00