Manager, Life Underwriting

Is the opportunity to join a culture where “We Do the Right Thing,” and “We Courageously Shape Our Future Together” important to you? If so, Guardian is seeking a talented and motivated individual to join our team as Manager, Life Underwriting.

In this role, you will be responsible for supervising the evaluation of risk on applications processed and underwritten in a traditional underwriting team for policies of insurance submitted to the company. This is achieved by demonstrating a cultural/philosophical foundation of expeditious evaluations, fact-based decisions, continued development of field relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction at the highest level. The position is accountable for underwriter development & coaching.

This position will supervise a staff that determines insurability as well as premium classification inclusive of traditional underwriting up to $20,000,000. The Life Underwriting Manager / Specialist has the authority to exercise their discretion & professional judgment in decision making of large complex individual life cases up to $30,000,000.

Staff Management and Development

Manage the risk evaluation activities of a traditional underwriting team. Mentoring, coaching, and developing staff, including the facilitation of the transfer of knowledge among team members. Identify individuals with potential to progress to the next level of Underwriting. Coordinating production and workflow activities with Underwriting and Administrative Support areas.

Customer Relations and Communications

Providing service and support to internal and external customers; building rapport with field partners as well as Guardian business associates. Perform site visits and/or training as needed for the field & internal associates.

Additional Training/Self-development and Project Participation

Serve as Underwriting representative on department, division and corporate business projects and initiatives. Attending industry and reinsurance meetings for industry trends & information to share with the Life Underwriting department.

Evaluation of Risk

Evaluating applications submitted to the company for policies of Individual life insurance and rendering decisions on issuance or declination.

You will

• Lead an underwriting unit by establishing performance goals, methods of self-improvement, and Performance Management criteria.

• Analyze workload and anticipate future business and staffing needs.

• Identify opportunities to further develop team practices and procedures, proactively offer feedback to management for team improvement, and share opinions and innovative ideas to enhance overall team processing and design.

• Negotiate appeals with the use of professional judgment, industry knowledge & business sense to go outside the established company guidelines to make determinations on requests for formal changes to official decisions made previously by Life Underwriters, Senior Life Underwriters, & Life Underwriting Specialists.

• Recognize and obtain requirements vital in evaluating risks, consistently using the global approach (a “broadened view” of the entire case to forecast all needs and requirements at onset) to underwriting.

• Evaluate medical, financial, and non-medical information, as developed, to determine the risk classification according to company guidelines.

• Interpret Electrocardiograms as a part of risk assessment preferred.

• Connect with the field force and home office personnel for the purpose of acquiring necessary information, solving problems, and conveying decisions in a polite, confident, and professional manner.

• Establish and maintain productive working relationships, encourage positive interaction with all levels of management, peers, and employees, and demonstrate ability to interact effectively with all work partners and associates.

• Consult with Medical Director and senior underwriting staff for the purpose of resolving complex medical and non-medical histories.

• Interpret underwriting policy and implement established guidelines, department procedures, and compliance directives.

• Work in partnership with our reinsurance outlets to negotiate and secure risk classification for business that may exceed our mortality standards, be above our corporate retention, or for the benefit of securing a more competitive offer.

• Explain Guardian product information, risk classification, and underwriting action to peers and field force.

• Evaluate risk involved in reinstatements, and other policy change requests as required.

• Review, interpret and record Medical Information Bureau codes in accordance with established MIB guidelines.

• Communicate actions with our proposed policy holders.

• Participate in on-going training and development offerings to enhance customer service and underwriting, in support of a high-performance culture.

You have

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent working experience in underwriting.

• Industry related education (i.e., LOMA, ALU, CLU) desired.

• 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/processes.

• Working medical knowledge (i.e., Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Conditions).

• Computer proficiency required.

• Detail-oriented and pays great attention to accuracy and quality of service.

• Strong interpersonal skills that allow successful and productive communication with internal and external contacts.

• Exceptional analytical and decision-making skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate clearly, articulately, and persuasively.

• Superior management, organizational and human relations skill; prior management/supervisory experience strongly preferred.

Location /Travel

Flexible/remote - This is a flexible position with the opportunity to work remotely and requires travel for biannual department meetings in addition to industry or agency meetings as needed.

Salary Range$84,320.00 - $138,522.50

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues.

Health Care

• Choice of [high deductible/copay] medical plans* with prescription drugs, including coverage for fertility and transgender inclusive benefits

• Dental plan

• Vision plan

• Health care accounts – flexible spending, health reimbursement, and health savings accounts

• Critical illness insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

• Company-paid Life and Disability insurance plus voluntary supplemental coverage

• Accident insurance

Retirement and Financial

• 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, plus an annual age/service-based Company contribution and an annual profit-sharing contribution, if applicable

• Complimentary 1:1 financial guidance with a licensed Fidelity representative

Time Off and Remote Work

• Flexible work arrangements (part in-person/part remote)

• Unlimited paid time off for most roles plus time off for volunteering, jury duty, voting, and bereavement

• Personal holidays for colleagues to use in recognition of religious, cultural, or civic days

• Paid parental leave and paid family and medical leave policies

Emotional Well-being and Work-Life

• Emotional well-being, mental health, and work/life resources powered by Spring Health

• Wellness programs, including fitness program and equipment reimbursement

• Child, adult, and elder back-up care support through Bright Horizons

• Adoption assistance

• College planning

• Tuition reimbursement

• Student loan assistance

• Commuter benefits in select metropolitan areas

Equity & Inclusion

Opportunities to build inclusive and meaningful connections through involvement in colleague-led affinity groups:

• Employee Resource Groups:

• Colleague Connection Committees

• Community Involvement Committees

A culture that encourages colleagues to bring their authentic selves to work

• Voluntary self-ID

• Pronunciation and phonetic spelling of names

Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected].

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.