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Director, Claims - Commercial Casualty (Agribusiness)

Nationwide

Nationwide

Remote
USD 138k-206k / year
Posted on Apr 4, 2026
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.

Location: Des Moines, IA preferred; qualified remote candidates will be considered.

This is a senior leadership role within Nationwide’s Commercial Casualty Agribusiness team, responsible for leading leaders and shaping the future direction of the organization.

The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of innovation, data‑driven leadership, talent development, and cross‑functional partnership, supported by deep Commercial Casualty Claims experience and proven leadership capability. Agribusiness experience is plus.

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.

#LI-BC1

#LI-Remote

Job Description Summary

Do you have a strong desire to ensure resolution of insurance claims by leading teams that provide personal, effortless and reassuring experiences customers? Are you a skilled natural investigator, negotiator and communicator? If you thrive in an environment where you can problem-solve claim resolutions, innovate for continuous process improvement, while providing fair resolution, customer satisfaction and cost management, then we want to hear from you!

As a Claims Director, you’ll lead efforts to investigate and pay commercial casualty claims. You’ll guide the determination of liability and set policies governing the settlement of commercial claims. In addition, you’ll manage the activities of defense counsel to expedite settlement and to control average loss cost and litigation expense. We’ll count on you to promote and provide exemplary customer service.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

  • Directs the settlement of commercial casualty claims and lawsuits.

  • Ensures claims best practices are followed in all assigned cases in accordance with company guidelines, state and federal regulations. Enforces compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

  • Provides leadership to others, helping them to understand and interpret industry data and trends.

  • Directs the development of new products, processes, procedures and training in response to customer needs and industry trends.

  • Interacts with related departments, including Underwriting, Products, and Pricing, to share information and to maintain a consistent approach to resolve problems.

  • Partners with industry leaders to help promote positive industry and legislative changes.

  • Develops strategic responses to litigated cases against Nationwide and its policyholders. Delivers a positive customer service experience to internal, external, current and prospective Nationwide customers. Resolves customer complaints according to Best Practices. Monitors customer satisfaction to drive action plans for improvement.

  • Develops and monitors a departmental operating budget. Identifies, develops and retains high potential/high performing associates who have the potential for or are ready to fill critical roles in the organization.

  • Provides 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.

Reporting Relationships: Typically reports to Claims AVP. Direct and indirect reports include Claims Managers and/or Claims Specialists.

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: Requires advanced knowledge of claims operating practices and claims litigation laws and regulations. Requires 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, personnel management Working knowledge of personal computers and associated software like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or financial reporting software.

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 HR Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. May require ability to sit and use telephone and personal computer for extended periods of time. Must be willing to work extended hours and to travel with possible overnight requirements. Must be available to work catastrophes (CAT) which may include working extended periods of time including holidays and weekends.

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.

Credit/Background Check: Due to the fiduciary accountabilities within this job, a valid credit check and/or background check will be required as part of the selection process.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 04/14/2026. 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.
For NY residents please review the following state law information: Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations LS740 (ny.gov) https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/02/ls740_1.pdf

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. Note on Compensation for Part-Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full-time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full-time schedule.The national salary range for Director, Claims - Commercial Casualty : $138,000.00-$243,000.00The expected starting salary range for Director, Claims - Commercial Casualty : $138,000.00 - $206,000.00