Manager, Life Underwriting

$84,320 - $138,523/Yr

Guardian Life - Columbia, SC

Full-time - Manager

Hybrid - Columbia, SC

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities

About the position

The Manager, Life Underwriting at Guardian Life is responsible for supervising a traditional underwriting team, ensuring the evaluation of risk on insurance applications is conducted efficiently and effectively. This role emphasizes the development of underwriters, maintaining high customer satisfaction, and making informed decisions on complex life insurance cases. The manager will also engage in customer relations, project participation, and continuous self-development to enhance team performance and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the evaluation of risk on insurance applications processed by the underwriting team.
• Mentor, coach, and develop underwriting staff, facilitating knowledge transfer among team members.
• Manage production and workflow activities in collaboration with Underwriting and Administrative Support areas.
• Provide service and support to internal and external customers, building rapport with field partners and business associates.
• Serve as the Underwriting representative on departmental and corporate projects and initiatives.
• Evaluate applications for individual life insurance and make decisions on issuance or declination.
• Lead the underwriting unit by establishing performance goals and methods of self-improvement.
• Analyze workload and anticipate future business and staffing needs.
• Identify opportunities for team practice improvements and provide feedback to management.
• Negotiate appeals using professional judgment and industry knowledge.
• Evaluate medical, financial, and non-medical information to determine risk classification.
• Consult with Medical Director and senior underwriting staff on complex cases.
• Work with reinsurance outlets to negotiate risk classification for high-value cases.
• Communicate underwriting actions and decisions to peers and field force.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent working experience in underwriting.
• Ten years plus of Individual Life Underwriting experience desired.
• Two years plus of Underwriting Life Consultant experience desired.
• Extensive knowledge of individual life insurance products and processes.
• Working medical knowledge including Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Conditions.
• Computer proficiency required.
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on accuracy and quality of service.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective communication with internal and external contacts.
• Exceptional analytical and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Superior management, organizational, and human relations skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Industry related education (i.e., LOMA, ALU, CLU) desired.
• Experience interpreting Electrocardiograms as part of risk assessment.

Benefits

• Choice of medical plans with prescription drugs, including coverage for fertility and transgender inclusive benefits.
• Dental and vision plans.
• Flexible spending, health reimbursement, and health savings accounts.
• Company-paid Life and Disability insurance plus voluntary supplemental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match and profit-sharing contributions.
• Unlimited paid time off and personal holidays.
• Paid parental leave and family medical leave policies.
• Emotional well-being and mental health resources.
• Wellness programs including fitness program and equipment reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan assistance.