Manager, Life Underwriting

$84,320 - $138,523/Yr

Guardian Life - Montpelier, VT

Full-time - Manager

Hybrid - Montpelier, VT

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities

About the position

The Manager, Life Underwriting at Guardian is responsible for supervising a traditional underwriting team, ensuring the evaluation of risk on insurance applications is conducted efficiently and accurately. This role emphasizes customer satisfaction, staff development, and maintaining strong relationships with field partners. The manager will oversee underwriting decisions for policies up to $30 million, while also participating in industry initiatives and training to enhance team performance and knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the evaluation of risk on insurance applications processed by the underwriting team.
• Mentor, coach, and develop staff, facilitating knowledge transfer among team members.
• Manage production and workflow activities with Underwriting and Administrative Support areas.
• Provide service and support to internal and external customers, building rapport with field partners.
• Serve as Underwriting representative on department and corporate projects.
• Evaluate applications for individual life insurance and render decisions on issuance or declination.
• Lead an underwriting unit by establishing performance goals and methods of self-improvement.
• Analyze workload and anticipate future business and staffing needs.
• Identify opportunities to develop team practices and procedures, offering feedback for improvement.
• 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 for complex cases.
• Work with reinsurance outlets to negotiate risk classification for business exceeding mortality standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent working experience in underwriting.
• Ten years plus of Individual Life Underwriting experience.
• Two years plus of Underwriting Life Consultant experience.
• Extensive knowledge of individual life insurance products and processes.
• Working medical knowledge including Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Conditions.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective communication with internal and external contacts.
• Exceptional analytical and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Prior management or supervisory experience is strongly preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Industry related education (i.e., LOMA, ALU, CLU) desired.
• Computer proficiency required.
• Detail-oriented with great attention to accuracy and quality of service.

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.
• Flexible work arrangements with unlimited paid time off.
• Paid parental leave and family medical leave policies.
• Emotional well-being and mental health resources.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan assistance.