Director of Disability Underwriting – Large Case Unit

MassMutual•Milwaukee, WI

4d•Remote

About The Position

MassMutual is establishing a dedicated Disability Underwriting Large Case Unit (LCU) to manage the organization’s most complex, high-value disability cases. We are seeking a Director of Disability Underwriting – Large Case Unit to lead this specialized team. This is a “player-coach” leadership role, combining hands-on underwriting expertise with day-to-day leadership, enabling strong risk discipline, execution, and advisor partnership. This role will be focused on our growing business from our top MassMutual's Financial Advisors and Brokers. Your focus will be to create a culture focused on concierge service for our largest Disability cases and top advisors, while maintaining a strong risk culture. You will be accountable to assist the Head of Disability Underwriting and New Business to establish and drive the strategic direction of Disability Underwriting and New Business operations. You will operationalize our strategy and implement solutions to improve underwriter, producer/advisor/financial professional, and customer experience. You will demonstrate accountability, agility, a dedication to being inclusive, a strong business acumen, and will show courage, even in the most difficult situations. You will have strong communication skills, exhibit a passion for learning, show strong leadership traits, resilience, and self-awareness.

Requirements

Minimum Disability Underwriting Authority limit of $15k per month or greater at MassMutual or equivalent at other carrier
10+ years of Disability Underwriting experience
2+ years experience demonstrating informal leadership by guiding, coaching, and supporting colleagues in their day-to-day work

Nice To Haves

Experience overseeing a team of underwriters, providing day-to-day leadership, coaching, and support to ensure accurate risk assessment and timely case processing
College degree, or equivalent years of experience, preferred
Industry designations/education (FALU, FLMI, CLU) preferred
Demonstrated knowledge of all aspects of disability risk selection (medical, financial and occupational)
Experience working with different distribution channels
Strong knowledge of product and pricing to prudently manage morbidity
Data-driven mindset with the ability to analyze, dissect, gather, and interpret all facets of data related to the business
Medical terminology acumen with the ability to make sound risk decisions based on medical data
Highly skilled in identifying the latest trends within the disability insurance industry, analyzing the competitive environment and identifying opportunities and areas for success.
Proven ability to interact and collaborate effectively with others; viewed by peers, Home Office associates, field associates and underwriting management as a trusted partner
Proven experience leading projects, including impactful strategic level initiatives

Responsibilities

Lead an underwriting team comprised of large disability cases, highly experienced underwriters that will support our field partners across multiple geographic locations.
Foster a culture aligned to our purpose, values and strategy and role-model our values and behaviors in all that you do.
Lead the Disability Large Case Unit underwriting team, providing efficient, proactive and exceptional service experience to our field offices and advisors, while ensuring staffing and variable capacity meet growing demands.
Strive to improve the organization's proficiency and professionalism through continuing education and various development efforts.
Assume full ownership/accountability of underwriting decisions within your approval authority, including responding to escalations within your authority.
Collaborate with the Head of Disability Underwriting and New Business, as well as the Head Disability Underwriter, to challenge the status quo and bring the organization forward in its approach to all aspects of their roles. This priority will ensure risk selection excellence while the organization drives to sustainable and material improvement to operations costs, quality, and cycle-time. This aligns with the broader strategy of MassMutual (e.g., ease of doing business for producers/customers and efficient cost base).
Oversee workflow management for large-case segmentation, including case routing and prioritization.
Implement and monitor key performance metrics, and establish methods to appropriately monitor against targets.
Drive improved outcomes in placement ratios, advisor satisfaction and Ease of doing business.
Maintain competitive awareness through participation in industry events and associations, study groups, etc.
Lead and/or participating in various strategic initiatives that drive the organization toward our long-term strategic goals.