Overview
If you’re passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them at a Fortune 100 company and innovating and simplifying processes to provide the best customer value, then Nationwide’s Property and Casualty team may be the place for you. This senior leadership role is part of Nationwide’s Commercial Casualty Agribusiness team and is responsible for leading leaders and shaping the future direction of the organization. Location: Des Moines, IA preferred; qualified remote candidates will be considered.
Key Leadership Expectations
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement : Drives innovation in a high‑frequency, low‑severity environment; identifies opportunities for process improvement, automation, and simplification while maintaining operational stability.
- Data‑Driven Leadership : Leads 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 : Demonstrates strong understanding of how operations impact financials, risk, and enterprise strategy; prioritizes work and resources based on business outcomes.
- Talent & Succession Development : Develops leaders and employees through coaching and learning opportunities; actively drives succession planning by identifying and preparing high‑potential talent while ensuring continuity and knowledge transfer.
- Cross‑Functional Partnership : Serves as a trusted partner across underwriting, risk management, actuarial, finance, and other key stakeholders; influences at peer and executive levels to align execution with strategic priorities.
Job Description Summary
As a Claims Director, you’ll lead the investigation and payment of commercial casualty claims, guide liability determination, set settlement policies, and manage defense counsel activities to control loss cost and litigation expense. You will promote exemplary customer service and ensure resolution of insurance claims with fair, timely, and cost‑effective solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct 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.
- Provide leadership to help others understand and interpret industry data and trends.
- Direct 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 maintain a consistent approach to problem resolution.
- Partner with industry leaders to 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 and monitor satisfaction to drive improvement action plans.
- Develop and monitor a departmental operating budget.
- Identify, develop, and retain high‑potential performers for critical organizational roles.
- Provide performance management, salary planning, training, workflow organization, hiring, placement, and disciplinary actions for direct and indirect reports.
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Typical Skills and Experiences
- Education : Undergraduate degree or preferred post‑graduate studies.
- License/Certification/Designation : State licensing where required and completion of required/applicable claims certification training.
- Experience : Ten years of commercial claims handling experience; managerial or project lead experience preferred.
- Knowledge & Abilities : Advanced knowledge of claims operating practices, litigation laws and regulations, Nationwide’s commercial products, underwriting, and pricing strategies.
- Proven ability to meet customer needs and provide exemplary service during claims processes.
- Proven ability to lead and train commercial claims employees.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for complex material and customer interaction.
- Ability to analyze data and interpret commercial industry trends.
- Working knowledge of personal computers and software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, financial reporting tools).
- Leadership skills, competencies, and experiences may take precedence.
Job Conditions
- Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt).
- Normal office environment; may require extended hours and overnight travel.
- Must be able to sit and use telephone and personal computer for extended periods.
- Must be available during catastrophes, including holidays and weekends.
- Fidelity requirements include valid credit and background checks.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability.
- Paid time off: minimum 18 days per year, prorated quarterly; nine paid holidays; 8 hours Lifetime paid time off; 8 hours Unity Day paid time off.
- 401(k) with company match; company‑paid pension plan.
- Business casual attire and other customary benefits.
Legal and Employment Statements
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.
This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states.
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