
AVP, Group Underwriting
- Chicago, IL
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Build, develop and lead the underwriting team to support the volume and complexity of business required to support the division's growth and profit objectives
- Build out and oversee the Group Employer paid product into the Group Underwriting process flow from proposal through to implementation.
- Reinforce the strategic direction and help cultivate a profitable book of business according to the business plan; ensure team objectives are aligned to the organization's goals
- Ensure underwriters are compliant with company practices and standards
- Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, business partners, and colleagues
- Engage with product development teams to keep abreast of market dynamics and market cycle awareness in support of business plan objectives
- Oversee underwriting activities in accordance with all legal and regulatory requirements
- Maintain subject matter expertise and technical knowledge through continuous learning and development
- Build understanding of full customer experience, through their eyes, to highlight opportunities to improve our offering - this includes understanding products, actuarial, enrollment, admin, and claim methodologies/processes
- Manage, mentor, and coach UW teams on technical and professional skills
- Lead and motivate teams to cultivate an environment of continuous improvement; recommend and implement changes to optimize efficiency as needed
- Support, advocate, and provide guidance to our distribution teams to maximize company's objectives
- Lead other strategic initiatives as assigned
- Client, Quality and Service Focus
- 15+ years of progressive underwriting experience plus 7 years management experience with insurance operations and administration, preferably in both a Worksite/Voluntary Benefits and Group environment
- Proven history of managing and leading underwriting and administrative staff
- Proven ability to lead and/or support business development initiatives and manage third-party customer/broker relationships
- Collaborates well and influence others at all levels of employees
- Professional maturity with excellent technical, verbal and written communication skills
- Proven history of establishing and maintaining effective relationships
- Manages and prioritizes multiple projects concurrently
- Ability to manage conflict/resolution and problem solving
- Knows how to align people and resources with strategic priorities
- Experience in developing and executing underwriting strategy including guidelines, process and automation
- Ability to structure and manage work across multiple functions & locations
- Strength in skills needed in identifying issues, remediation tactics and escalation paths
- Comfortable multi-tasking in an extremely fast paced environment
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Tuition reimbursement
- A company-match 401(k) plan
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Employee referral bonuses