Director, Claims – Commercial Casualty (Agribusiness)
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Colfax, IA, United States
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, we welcome you to Nationwide’s Property and Casualty team. 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.
Location: Des Moines, IA (preferred). Qualified remote candidates will also be considered.
Leadership Expectations
Innovation & Continuous Improvement – Drive innovation in a high‑frequency, low‑severity environment; identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and simplification while maintaining operational stability.
Data‑Driven Leadership – Lead by metrics, using data and analytics to inform decisions and measure performance; experienced with tools such as Tableau, Qlik, Power BI, or similar platforms to translate insights into action.
Business Acumen – Demonstrate a strong understanding of how operations impact financials, risk, and enterprise strategy; prioritize work and resources based on business outcomes.
Talent & Succession Development – Develop leaders and employees through coaching and learning opportunities; actively drive succession planning by identifying and preparing high‑potential talent while ensuring continuity and knowledge transfer.
Cross‑Functional Partnership – Serve as a trusted partner across underwriting, risk management, actuarial, finance, and other key stakeholders; influence at peer and executive levels to align execution with strategic priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Direct the settlement of commercial casualty claims and lawsuits.
Ensure claims best practices are followed in all assigned cases in accordance with company guidelines, state and federal regulations.
Enforce compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
Provide leadership to others, helping them to understand and interpret industry data and trends.
Direct the development of new products, processes, procedures, and training in response to customer needs and industry trends.
Interact with related departments, including Underwriting, Products, and Pricing, to share information and maintain a consistent approach to resolve problems.
Partner with industry leaders to help promote positive industry and legislative changes.
Develop strategic responses to litigated cases against Nationwide and its policyholders.
Deliver a positive customer service experience to internal, external, current, and prospective Nationwide customers.
Resolve customer complaints according to best practices; monitor customer satisfaction to drive action plans for improvement.
Develop and monitor a departmental operating budget.
Identify, develop, and retain high‑potential/high‑performing associates who can fill critical roles in the organization.
Provide performance management, salary planning, and administration, training and development, workflow and organization planning, day‑to‑day management, hiring and placement, and disciplinary actions for direct and possibly indirect reports.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Typical Skills and Experiences
Education: Undergraduate degree or post‑graduate studies preferred.
License/Certification/Designation: State licensing where required; successful completion of required/applicable claims certification training/classes.
Experience: Ten years of commercial claims handling experience; managerial or project lead experience preferred.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Advanced knowledge of claims operating practices and claims litigation laws and regulations; in‑depth knowledge of Nationwide’s commercial product offerings, underwriting practices and pricing strategies.
Proven ability to meet customer needs and provide exemplary service by informing customers of the claims process and ensuring a positive customer experience.
Proven ability to lead and train commercial claims employees in all aspects of claims.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills necessary to read, write, speak and interpret highly sensitive and complex material regarding claims litigation and related financial reports.
Ability to analyze data and interpret commercial industry trends; effective listening, verbal and written communication skills necessary for customer contact, negotiation, presentations, project management, and personnel management.
Working knowledge of personal computers and associated software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or financial reporting software.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Life insurance, short and long term disability coverage.
Paid time off: Newly hired associates receive 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, and 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off.
401(k) with company match and company‑paid pension plan.
Business casual attire.
Additional benefits available; see Nationwide’s benefits portal for full details.
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 protected by applicable law.
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Location: Des Moines, IA (preferred). Qualified remote candidates will also be considered.
Leadership Expectations
Innovation & Continuous Improvement – Drive innovation in a high‑frequency, low‑severity environment; identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and simplification while maintaining operational stability.
Data‑Driven Leadership – Lead by metrics, using data and analytics to inform decisions and measure performance; experienced with tools such as Tableau, Qlik, Power BI, or similar platforms to translate insights into action.
Business Acumen – Demonstrate a strong understanding of how operations impact financials, risk, and enterprise strategy; prioritize work and resources based on business outcomes.
Talent & Succession Development – Develop leaders and employees through coaching and learning opportunities; actively drive succession planning by identifying and preparing high‑potential talent while ensuring continuity and knowledge transfer.
Cross‑Functional Partnership – Serve as a trusted partner across underwriting, risk management, actuarial, finance, and other key stakeholders; influence at peer and executive levels to align execution with strategic priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Direct the settlement of commercial casualty claims and lawsuits.
Ensure claims best practices are followed in all assigned cases in accordance with company guidelines, state and federal regulations.
Enforce compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
Provide leadership to others, helping them to understand and interpret industry data and trends.
Direct the development of new products, processes, procedures, and training in response to customer needs and industry trends.
Interact with related departments, including Underwriting, Products, and Pricing, to share information and maintain a consistent approach to resolve problems.
Partner with industry leaders to help promote positive industry and legislative changes.
Develop strategic responses to litigated cases against Nationwide and its policyholders.
Deliver a positive customer service experience to internal, external, current, and prospective Nationwide customers.
Resolve customer complaints according to best practices; monitor customer satisfaction to drive action plans for improvement.
Develop and monitor a departmental operating budget.
Identify, develop, and retain high‑potential/high‑performing associates who can fill critical roles in the organization.
Provide performance management, salary planning, and administration, training and development, workflow and organization planning, day‑to‑day management, hiring and placement, and disciplinary actions for direct and possibly indirect reports.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Typical Skills and Experiences
Education: Undergraduate degree or post‑graduate studies preferred.
License/Certification/Designation: State licensing where required; successful completion of required/applicable claims certification training/classes.
Experience: Ten years of commercial claims handling experience; managerial or project lead experience preferred.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Advanced knowledge of claims operating practices and claims litigation laws and regulations; in‑depth knowledge of Nationwide’s commercial product offerings, underwriting practices and pricing strategies.
Proven ability to meet customer needs and provide exemplary service by informing customers of the claims process and ensuring a positive customer experience.
Proven ability to lead and train commercial claims employees in all aspects of claims.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills necessary to read, write, speak and interpret highly sensitive and complex material regarding claims litigation and related financial reports.
Ability to analyze data and interpret commercial industry trends; effective listening, verbal and written communication skills necessary for customer contact, negotiation, presentations, project management, and personnel management.
Working knowledge of personal computers and associated software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or financial reporting software.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Life insurance, short and long term disability coverage.
Paid time off: Newly hired associates receive 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, and 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off.
401(k) with company match and company‑paid pension plan.
Business casual attire.
Additional benefits available; see Nationwide’s benefits portal for full details.
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 protected by applicable law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr