Senior Manager, Underwriting

CVS Health•Hartford, CT

About The Position

This underwriting role is for Meritain Health, an independent subsidiary of Aetna and CVS and one of the nation's largest employee benefits administrators. The underwriting department supports organizational goals by issuing quotations and proposals for prospective and existing business, including administrative fee pricing, stop loss, RFP questionnaire responses, and plan consultation. The Senior Manager of Underwriting provides day-to-day management and mentorship to a group of underwriters and helps drive consistency and collaboration across the unit. The role calls for ownership, independent work, proactive problem-solving, support for colleagues, process improvement, and service as a resource for internal partners and external stakeholders. The position combines team leadership, underwriting and risk assessment, stakeholder collaboration, process improvement, strategic support, and subject matter expertise. It supports underwriting analysis, pricing and financial projections, team development, final rate submissions, stop loss strategy, and proposals aligned with client goals and organizational strategies.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in underwriting/accounting pricing methodologies and funding arrangements.
5+ years of proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office.
2+ years of relevant medical insurance experience, such as with brokers (producers), carriers, third-party administrators (TPAs), benefit analysis, underwriting, rating methodologies, or policy marketing.
Strong analytical, decision-making, and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and/or develop team members.
Demonstrated success in anticipating customer needs and negotiating using tact and diplomacy.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of related experience.

Nice To Haves

2 to 3 years of prior leadership experience.
Salesforce, Tableau, and/or VBA experience.
Experience communicating with outside consultants or customers.

Responsibilities

Manage underwriting workflow and shifting priorities to ensure timely, accurate deliverables.
Provide daily support, coaching, and mentorship to underwriters, fostering skill development and professional growth.
Conduct quality reviews, identify learning opportunities, and oversee training for internal staff and external stakeholders.
Lead team meetings and serve as the first point of contact for complex case issues or challenges.
Support hiring, onboarding, and ongoing talent development of direct reports; provide coverage for the department leader as needed.
Assist with underwriting analysis and risk assessment for new and renewal business, including cases with significant benefit implications.
Assist in preparing quotes, questionnaires, and financial projections of varying complexity.
Apply underwriting guidelines and negotiate financial terms within assigned authority; escalate exceptions and financial variances to senior leadership as appropriate.
Help ensure pricing strategies align with business objectives and client needs, balancing membership, revenue growth, and profitability.
Help team members navigate complex or sensitive sales and renewal situations.
Coordinate final rate submissions through the Final & Firm process, including reporting and coordination with underwriters and operational teams.
Collaborate with Business Analysis, Sales, Client Management, and other internal stakeholders to support sales and retention efforts.
Present underwriting information and explain rate development, underwriting policies, and product standards to internal and external stakeholders.
Build and maintain relationships with stop loss carriers to support case resolution and negotiation efforts.
Explain Meritain’s services, underwriting philosophy, and new initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.
Lead or contribute to departmental projects and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, accuracy, and customer service.
Identify and implement opportunities for automation and operational efficiency, and influence development of tools and resources.
Support use and optimization of underwriting tools, systems, and reporting platforms.
Provide strategic input on stop loss placement, pricing, and product positioning.
Apply knowledge of Meritain’s product portfolio, underwriting philosophy, and market positioning.
Support development of proposals that align with client goals and organizational strategies.
Analyze operational data and apply insights to financial modeling and fee development.
Serve as a trusted resource for internal partners on underwriting and stop loss strategy.