Nationwide Insurance, recognized as the 8th largest commercial carrier in the U.S., continues to invest in technical excellence across its Risk Management efforts with a specialized focus on real estate, food, and retail industries. With approximately 100 dedicated associates and technical staff, our team supports a diverse commercial portfolio that includes traditional, middle market, and national accounts. Our business spans key industry segments such as real estate management, food processing and distribution, retail operations, construction, manufacturing, senior living and community care, and service industries.
As part of our ongoing commitment to industry leadership and innovation, we are seeking a Technical Director to lead our Industry Practices – Risk Management efforts in the areas of Real Estate, Restaurant, and Retail. This position can be filled remotely and carries a national scope It is designed for a seasoned professional who brings deep expertise, strategic vision, and a passion for advancing risk management practices within these dynamic and evolving sectors.
The ideal candidate will be a recognized authority in risk management for real estate, restaurant, and retail operations, with a strong background in multi-line commercial insurance and a demonstrated ability to influence underwriting strategy and technical direction. This role will serve as a national resource, providing expert consultation to underwriting, claims, and field risk management teams, while also representing Nationwide in industry forums and client engagements.
Candidates should possess strong technical knowledge and relevant credentials—such as CSP, CIH, CFPS, ARM, HACCP, PE or other applicable certifications—and demonstrate a history of thought leadership, technical innovation, and collaborative impact. Experience in workers’ compensation, property protection, and operational risk within these industries is highly valued, as is the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable insights that support profitable growth and retention.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of risk management for real estate, food, and retail at Nationwide, working alongside a high-performing team and contributing to the success of our commercial lines business.
Job Description Summary
Are you a proven leader with strategic, creative, and industry expertise within commercial risk management? Do you have deep insight into the commercial insurance industry and competition with the ability to translate those insights into developing and building out the specialized technical expertise of a commercial risk management organization. If you have these abilities and a passion to lead change, then we want to hear from you.Job Description
Key Responsibilities:Â
Lead Strategic Planning: Develop and execute long- and short-term strategies to drive profitable growth across the CLESS organization within the assigned industry.
Foster Strategic Partnerships: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to promote services, enhance capabilities, and identify market opportunities. Conduct market analysis to assess industry trends, competitor offerings, and broker services.
Maintain Industry Expertise: Stay current on regulatory changes, technical advancements, and emerging risk management practices relevant to the assigned industry.
Drive Account Growth: Collaborate with Industry Practice Underwriting Leaders and other CLESS business unit leaders to support account expansion and retention.
Deliver Technical Consultation: Provide expert guidance and actionable recommendations to improve loss mitigation and risk management outcomes.
Enhance Service Delivery: Partner with the RMCS National Field Organization to elevate service standards and consistency.
Develop Industry-Focused Talent: Support and mentor a team of industry-specialized risk management consultants in collaboration with Field Directors.
Lead Quality Assurance: Oversee and contribute to the industry-specific QA process and develop tailored risk management guidelines.
Coordinate Complex Accounts: Lead stewardship and service management for high-value, complex accounts across the CLESS organization.
Engage with Clients and Brokers: Participate in client surveys and broker interactions to strengthen relationships and ensure value delivery for key accounts.
Advance Tools and Services: Collaborate with the RMCS Capabilities CLESS team to maintain and enhance industry-specific tools and resources.
Promote Thought Leadership: Represent the organization through speaking engagements, industry conferences, broker events, podcasts, and other public platforms.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.Â
Reporting Relationships: AVP of Technical Specialization & Consultative Solutions. Role may have direct reports.
Typical Skills and Experiences:Â
Education: Bachelor's degree or post-graduate studies preferred.
Licenses/Certifications/Designations: Relevant professional certifications/licenses (i.e. CSP, ARM, PE, CFPS, CPCU, CIH, CRM) Â
Experience: Minimum of ten years of experience in risk management, leadership experience, and a deep knowledge of the specialized industries.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Extensive knowledge of insurance products, safety, and risk management concepts. Strong organizational and relationship-building skills. Thorough understanding of risk management principles and property/casualty products. Ability to monitor industry conditions and communicate effectively with business partners. Proven ability to oversee industry performance and drive technical direction.
Additional skills needed include Strategic Planning, Organizational Capabilities, Analytical Thinking, Technical Leadership, Influencing, Collaboration, and Communication.
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 Resource Business Partner.
Values:Â Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.
Job Conditions:Â
Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)
Working Conditions: A valid driver's license and a safe driving record are required along with the ability to conduct physical surveys. Requires regular travel up to 35%.
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.Â
We currently anticipate accepting applications until 09/11/2025. 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.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.The national salary range for Technical Director, Industry Practices - Risk Management : $124,000.00-$238,000.00The expected starting salary range for Technical Director, Industry Practices - Risk Management : $134,000.00 - $202,000.00Loading similar jobs...
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