Team Leader Underwriting - Mid-Market/Small Group

Company Description

Why Wellmark: We are a mutual insurance company owned by our policy holders across Iowa and South Dakota, and we’ve built our reputation on over 80 years’ worth of trust. We are not motivated by profits. We are motivated by the well-being of our friends, family, and neighbors–our members. If you’re passionate about joining an organization working hard to put its members first, to provide best-in-class service, and one that is committed to sustainability and innovation, consider applying today! 

Learn more about our unique benefit offerings here. 

Want to know more? You can learn about life at Wellmark here.

Job Description

Responsible for the overall leadership and day to day management of Underwriting staff for specific market segments (mid-market/small business 2-100 life groups). Responsible for all underwriting processes and consultation on cross divisional projects such as regulatory implementation, new product implementation, etc. Activities may include providing subject matter expertise to develop policy, processes, financial or other reporting, and other company activities. Primarily accountable for performance management related activities and overall cultural aspects of leading specific staff and ensuring enterprise wide goals are achieved. Represent company on internal workgroups, on corporate initiatives and on teams based on business needs.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business or related field or direct and applicable work experience.
• Minimum 4 years of complex plan designs, funding arrangements, underwriting methodology, managed care concepts, clinical/ wellness programs, provider contracting and legislative requirements.
• Leadership skills typically gained through a combination of project or informal leadership that demonstrates competencies. Ability to lead work teams without direct authority, including coaching and mentoring, and directing and facilitating work activities.
• Strong analytical skills to lead staff to appropriate decisions relative to data integrity and process improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an environment that requires strategic, task implementation and production metrics to measure established timings and results.
• Strong conflict resolution skills and ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Proven results and strong knowledge of actuarial/underwriting principles.
• Demonstrated ability to express complex concepts clearly and concisely in writing and verbally, and ability to make presentations to large groups of stakeholders and customers.
• Proven skills in building relationships and influencing people across the organization to break down barriers and foster collaboration.
• Demonstrated communication skills, both verbal and written with the ability to concisely communicate financial results.
• Strong technical acumen, with demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn new systems quickly.

Additional Information

a. Develop and distribute new and renewal rate proposals for mid-market/small employer groups (2 – 100 employees) and oversight of underwriting new business and ongoing benefit and product change requests to support Wellmark’s financial and sales objectives. Ensure service level agreements are maintained for established timing and metrics requirements. Accountable for ensuring process efficiencies are identified to support and maintain corporate administrative efficiency goals.

b. Develop materials and meets and trains the sales team/external brokers on mid-market/small group underwriting principles and processes. Provide subject matter expertise in the development of underwriting policies, process reporting and production metrics.

c. Supervise the ongoing operations of the mid-market/small group underwriting function to ensure compliance with internal standards, policies/procedures, and external regulations. Serve as a resource for staff to resolve issues or customer/member/broker escalation points.

d. Meet and consult directly with distribution staff and customers on rate actions, new business underwriting requirements, and renewal activities. May require consultation and collaboration with medical directors and/or external medical personnel (e.g. physician review).

e. Provide leadership and day-to-day management of financial and human resources, primarily focusing on employee and leader coaching, development, performance improvement, coordination and budgeting for multiple staff, and department(s) specific functions/services. Support business objectives and produce results that are effective, accurate, timely, and on target to meet business and stakeholder needs, which may include internal or external meetings with customers, doing presentations, and/or speaking and representing Wellmark in a professional manner.

f. Monitor and oversee quality and service across all underwriting processes, data sources, and distribution channels to ensure the integrity of our underwriting programs.

g. Lead strategic projects with underwriting subject matter expertise to achieve corporate goals for profitability and growth.

h. Oversees and monitors the workload and performance of the team.

i. Develop team expertise and assist with succession planning, including identifying talent and implementing development plans for critical positions.

j. Work with the VP of Underwriting to improve department processes, improve culture, implement changes, staff development, and special projects.

k. Other duties as assigned.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The policy of Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation due to a disability at any stage of the employment application process should contact us at [email protected]

Please inform us if you meet the definition of a "Covered DoD official".