Director, Business Development - Surety

Overview

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, Nationwide’s Property and Casualty team could be the place for you. At Nationwide, “on your side” means putting customers and partners at the center of what we do. We’re looking for associates who deliver extraordinary care and are excited to grow with us.

Job Description Summary

Do you thrive in an environment where you can apply critical thinking and clear communication daily? Do you appreciate contributing both individually and collaboratively? Our Surety Underwriting team values initiative, growth mindset, broad skills across marketing, finance, risk analysis, and a solutions-focused approach. We’re technology savvy with strong career advancement opportunities. If you can see yourself as a member of our team in a company that wants to grow in this space, we want to know more about you.

Lead an underwriting team that includes surety territory managers and field underwriters who own the sales and underwriting relationships for a surety book of business. Establishes and maintains business relationships with agencies and/or brokers for sales growth and distribution expansion. Primary focus is underwriting, agency/customer relationship management, employee engagement, and expense management for a territory. Independently underwrites accounts based on authority level and underwriting appetite.

• Analyzes portfolio performance and individual accounts to drive profitable growth; monitors risk selection, renewal retention, and pricing decisions at portfolio and account levels.
• Reviews and approves underwriting decisions of staff; ensures compliance with legal requirements and objectives; provides recommendations to leadership on underwriting strategy; measures and manages underwriting quality; actively manages agency relationships; may review complex or escalated business within authority.
• Determines department priorities and workflow standards; monitors performance metrics; aligns organizational structure to drive results.
• Plans and integrates territory sales plans to achieve financial objectives; translates strategic plans into direction; sets goals, budgets, timelines; directs associates and oversees performance management, salary planning, and staffing.
• Drives sales strategies to develop new business, improve retention, and maintain profitability; meets with clients to strengthen relationships; handles escalated customer service issues.
• Provides input to leadership on strategic plans; consults with agents and brokers to identify opportunities; collaborates with Home Office leaders on higher-authority accounts.
• Communicates strategic direction and operational plans to internal and external stakeholders; explains policies and budgets; collaborates with agencies to expand program share in a shared surety account.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with commercial lines market groups; builds internal and external partnerships across Claims, Marketing, IT, and other functions to resolve business needs.
• Works with fellow leaders to train associates in the surety organization; coaches territory managers and field underwriters to pursue opportunities and grow a profitable territory.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reports to AVP, Surety. Direct reports include surety territory managers, field underwriters, and underwriting associates.

Education: Undergraduate degree in business, insurance, or a related field preferred.

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

Experience: Ten years of commercial or contract surety or related underwriting experience preferred. Significant business management and people leadership experience desired.

Knowledge, Abilities and

Skills:

Knowledge of contract and/or commercial surety operations, products, procedures, and practices. Expertise in surety lines of business, ratings, customer environment, and markets. Expertise in underwriting risks with relevant tools.…