VP, Product Management Underwriting - Excess & Surplus​/Specialty and Commercial Lines

VP, Product Management Underwriting Performance – Excess & Surplus/Specialty and Commercial Lines

Leading the product strategy and execution for Nationwide’s Commercial and Excess & Surplus/Specialty portfolio, this senior executive provides governance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across product development, forms management, regulatory filings, and product maintenance.

• Develop strategic and operational objectives that influence product management across the portfolio.
• Establish and maintain governance frameworks, standards, and controls for consistent product practices.
• Lead product development, forms management, regulatory filings, and ongoing product maintenance.
• Oversee creation, maintenance, and management of forms, endorsements, and related product documentation.
• Direct filing strategy and execution, ensuring accurate documentation and implementation across systems and workflows.
• Manage a team of approximately 60 product managers, focusing on talent development, succession planning, and workforce capability building.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional leaders in Business, Legal, Compliance, Technology, and Operations to translate business objectives into executable priorities.
• Establish operational performance metrics, service‑level expectations, throughput measures, and quality standards.
• Drive simplification, standardization, and automation initiatives, identifying bottlenecks and implementing sustainable solutions.
• Champion technology, automation, and artificial intelligence solutions throughout product management processes.

Reports to the SVP, Underwriting Performance and is accountable for delivering operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, service delivery, and speed to market across all product‑management activities.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, insurance, risk management, finance, economics, management, or a related field (master’s preferred).
• Professional insurance designations (CPCU, AU, CIC, ARM, or equivalent) are preferred.
• 15+ years of insurance industry experience, with significant leadership in Product Management, Product Operations, or related functions.
• Proven experience leading large‑scale product organizations and managing multi‑level teams.
• Deep understanding of insurance product construction, forms, endorsements, filings, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated success in driving operational excellence, process improvement, and cross‑functional initiatives.
• Experience implementing technology, automation, and AI‑enabled business solutions.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, communication, and organizational effectiveness skills.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life insurance and disability protection.
• Paid time off: 18 days for new hires with prorated accrual 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 a company‑paid pension plan.
• Business‑casual attire and other company‑wide employee benefits.

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 protected characteristic.