VP, Product Management Underwriting Performance - Excess & Surplus/Specialty and Commercial Lines (Des Moines)

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, as well as innovating and simplifying processes and operations to provide the best customer value, then Nationwide’s Property and Casualty team could be the place for you! At Nationwide, “on your side” goes beyond just words. 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.#LI-MM1Job Description SummaryDo you have the vision and leadership skills to transform how products are developed, governed, and delivered in a complex and evolving insurance industry? The VP, Product Management Underwriting Performance - Excess & Surplus/Specialty and Commercial Lines, plays a crucial role in providing leadership, management, and oversight for product execution, governance, forms management, regulatory filings, product maintenance, and operational excellence across the Commercial and Excess & Surplus/Specialty portfolio. This position directs the development and implementation of strategic and operational objectives to ensure products are effectively developed, maintained, implemented, and governed in support of business needs. It also drives scalable processes, regulatory compliance, service delivery, and continuous improvement while leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to enhance productivity, quality, and speed to market.Job DescriptionKey Responsibilities:Creates strategic and operational objectives that have a significant impact on the overall success of product management execution across the CL & E&S portfolio, through a strategic partnership with the business untis. Establishes and maintains product governance frameworks, standards, and controls to ensure consistent product management practices across lines of business and effective prioritization of strategic initiatives, regulatory requirements, operational capacity, and business value.Leads product development, forms management, regulatory filings, and product maintenance activities. Oversees the creation, maintenance, and management of forms, endorsements, applications, and related product documentation; Oversees the filing strategy and execution; and ensures product changes are accurately documented and implemented across systems, processes, and operational workflows.Leads, directs, and has full management accountability for staff in the area of responsibility with an emphasis on talent development, succession planning, workforce planning, and capability building. Coordinates with cross-functional teams including Business, Legal, Compliance, Technology, and Operations leaders to translate strategic business objectives into executable product management priorities and execution plans and to ensure operational readiness across the portfolio.Leads a high-volume product management organization focused on timely, accurate, and efficient execution. Establishes and monitors operational performance metrics, service-level expectations, throughput measures, and quality standards; drives simplification, standardization, and automation; identifies bottlenecks and implements sustainable solutions; and creates a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and execution excellence.Champions the adoption of technology, automation, and artificial intelligence solutions across product management processes.May perform other responsibilities as assigned. Breadth Across EnterpriseThe VP of Product Management is responsible for product governance, forms and filings, product maintenance, operational execution, and continuous improvement across the CL and ESS portfolio. The incumbent will own and ensure execution of product management processes, controls, workflows, service delivery expectations, and operating standards to ensure products are efficiently delivered, effectively governed, and maintained in compliance with internal and external requirements. The role will Strategically partner with the Business to define strategy, needs, and participate in cross-functional teams to achieve outcomes including, Underwriting, Legal, Compliance, Technology, and Operations leadership, as well as key stakeholders across lines of business.Financial Responsibility and ScopeThis position is accountable for driving operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, service delivery, and speed to market across product management activities. While Business and Underwriting leaders own product strategy, market positioning, and portfolio performance, this role is responsible for providing the leadership, expertise, and operational discipline necessary to execute, implement, and sustain product changes efficiently and effectively across the portfolio.Leadership AccountabilityDeveloping Strategy: Develops the product management operating strategy to support business objectives, regulatory requirements, and enterprise priorities. Establishes governance frameworks, prioritization approaches, service models, and capability-building strategies that support scalable product management execution and future organizational growth.Providing Input on Strategic Direction: As a leader in the organization, serves as a key advisor and partner to Business Leaders and Underwriting teams and provides input on product capabilities, governance, operational readiness, market developments, and execution planning.Executing Strategy: Leads teams to effectively execute product governance, forms management, filings, maintenance, and implementation activities according to business priorities and regulatory requirements. Ensures disciplined change management, accurate documentation, strong controls, and effective cross-functional execution across systems, processes, and operational workflows. Also leads technology, automation, and AI enablement efforts that improve productivity, quality, and operational effectiveness.Reporting Relationships: Reports to SVP, Underwriting Performance. Manages a team of approximately 60 product management leaders and professionals.Typical Skills and Experiences:Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, Insurance, Risk Management, Finance, Economics, Management, or a related field required, or equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience. Master’s degree preferred.License/Certification/Designation: Professional insurance designations such as CPCU, AU, CIC, ARM, or equivalent preferred.Experience: 15 years of insurance industry experience with significant leadership experience in Product Management, Product Operations, Product Development, Regulatory Management, Underwriting Operations, or related functions. Experience leading large-scale product organizations and managing leaders and teams.Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Deep understanding of insurance product construction, forms, endorsements, filings, regulatory requirements, and governance. Demonstrated success 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 are critical to success in this role.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: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.Job Conditions: Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)Working Conditions: Normal office environment and/or remote location. Travel required.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. We currently anticipate accepting applications until 08/21/2026. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.BenefitsWe 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 View phone number on apply.placed-app.com.For NY residents please review the following state law information: Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations LS740 (ny.gov) TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES:We value the partnerships we have built with our preferre