Life Underwriting Manager

Northwestern Mutual•Remote-Wisconsin, WI

1d•$108,160 - $162,240

About The Position

The Life Underwriting Manager directs and manages an underwriting unit, including recruiting, selecting, training, developing, motivating, and administering compensation for underwriting staff. The role oversees unit workflow, underwriting projects, customer service initiatives, underwriter work efforts, and risk analysis, with a focus on customer-centered communication at the agency level. The manager may participate in, coordinate, or independently lead complex projects, including major underwriting systems and process-improvement initiatives. The position serves as a communication liaison and technical resource for field management, agents, company management, other companies, and insurance departments on underwriting concerns and issues. It also develops, implements, and monitors customer service standards for field staff, manages the unit budget, and responds to complex or sensitive customer service complaints and questions in compliance with National Association of Insurance Commissioners guidelines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and/or an equivalent combination of education or progressively responsible work experience.
Experience may include people management, Lead Underwriter Consultant work, and developing underwriter training at all levels that results in performance improvements.
Track record of obtaining results.
Demonstrated relationship-building, planning and directing work, decision-making, communication, and change-management skills.
Strong project-management skills and ability to lead or manage departmental projects or process-improvement initiatives.
Competence in staff selection, assignment, training, development, motivation, and recognition.
Superior communication skills and proven ability to build trusted relationships and successfully negotiate issues with the field, policy owners, and employees.

Nice To Haves

Previous life underwriting experience preferred.
A minimum of seven years of operational experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan, direct, and coordinate an underwriting unit’s activities while maintaining departmental service standards and objectives, favorable mortality experience, and persistence at the lowest possible net cost.
Supervise and direct underwriters’ work activities and risk analysis.
Manage performance and career development through goal setting, ongoing assessment, and coaching.
Develop underwriters through the referral process, individual instruction, case audits, and classroom instruction.
Coordinate and implement new underwriting guidelines, practices, and procedures.
Participate in, coordinate, or lead complex projects, including major systems and process-improvement initiatives in the Underwriting Department.
Lead workflow, process changes, and systems-development initiatives related to improvements.
Act as a liaison to other insurance operations departments when implementing initiatives.
Execute change-management and communication plans.
Develop, implement, and monitor customer service standards for the Field Force.
Initiate communication to address and resolve technical problems with field management.
Recommend and implement service strategies and standards to improve work efficiency, including divisional workflow roles and responsibilities and work-area layout.
Coordinate, design, and deliver field visitations and videoconferences to improve Home Office/Field relationships and communicate New Business practices and changes.
Manage the budget for the assigned unit.
Serve as a technical leadership and escalation point.
Respond to complex or sensitive customer service complaints and questions in compliance with National Association of Insurance Commissioners guidelines.