Disability Income Underwriting Specialist

Northwestern Mutual•Remote-Wisconsin, WI

4d•$60,880 - $91,320

About The Position

The Disability Income Underwriting Specialist builds relationships with financial advisors, customers, and internal business partners to support insurance applications. The role provides responsive service, answers questions, shares application updates, and guides financial advisors on application requirements and coverage considerations. The specialist reviews preliminary inquiries, insurance applications, and customer information to help assess eligibility and coverage options. They evaluate financial, health, and occupational information using company guidelines and training, manage applications through the review process, collect outstanding information, and communicate decisions. The role collaborates with internal teams and external partners to support accurate and timely decisions, while following company policies, regulatory requirements, and quality standards. It also involves meeting productivity and quality goals and contributing to process improvements. The successful candidate uses critical thinking, sound judgment, and timely decision-making, including when information is incomplete or complex. They communicate clearly, handle confidential information tactfully, stay organized, adapt to changing priorities, and work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Candidates must successfully complete and pass any required testing.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Analytical skills and the ability to make independent decisions and apply sound judgment when applying rules.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to handle confidential information with tact, diplomacy, and resourcefulness.
Proficiency with computers and various software packages.
Ability to work accurately while maintaining speed and flexibility in team and independent production environments.
Strong organizational skills, including the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to a changing work environment.
Comfort making timely, well-reasoned underwriting decisions when information is incomplete, complex, or open to interpretation.
Ability to connect information from multiple sources, think critically through ambiguous situations, and solve complex problems without delaying decisions.
Accountability in seeking guidance when appropriate while confidently making and owning final decisions.
Ability to learn from experience, apply feedback, and use sound judgment when answers are not immediately clear.
Ability to assess available information, recognize risk, and make timely decisions without needing every detail.
Ability to explain complex information clearly and adapt communication to the audience and situation.
Ability to navigate difficult conversations, explain the reasoning behind decisions, and work toward practical outcomes.
Openness to new processes, systems, feedback, and ways of working while maintaining accuracy and productivity.
Successful completion and passing of any required testing.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree.

Responsibilities

Build relationships with financial advisors, customers, and internal business partners to support the insurance application process.
Communicate with customers and financial professionals to answer questions, provide updates, and support a positive application experience.
Guide financial advisors on insurance applications, coverage considerations, and application requirements.
Review preliminary inquiries and available information to assess potential eligibility and identify additional information needs.
Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to gather information, resolve issues, and support timely decisions.
Review insurance applications and customer information to help determine eligibility and coverage options.
Evaluate financial, health, and occupational information using company guidelines and training.
Manage applications throughout the review process, gather information, and track outstanding requirements.
Explain decisions and answer questions from financial advisors and business partners.
Work with medical, technical, and operational teams to support accurate and timely decisions.
Use multiple information sources to assess applications and make informed recommendations.
Follow company policies, regulatory requirements, and quality standards.
Meet productivity and quality goals, support process improvements, and resolve issues as they arise.