Senior Underwriter

Company :

Highmark Inc.

Job Description : 

JOB SUMMARY

This role serves as the primary point of contact for sales teams and assigned customers, delivering data-driven insights and recommendations to facilitate client acquisition and retention while achieving performance goals. Analyzes client data including industry type, financial condition, risk scores, and demographic information to assess risk and profitability for a book of business consisting of moderately complex clients. They apply independent judgment when clients do not align with established underwriting policies, practices, and standards, providing financial and risk management support to sales and strategic insight to the organization.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work cross-functionally to manage a portfolio of clients, applying all relevant rating methods and owning the underwriting engagement from initial identification through documentation of final sold-contract details.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on client-level quotes, acting as a trusted advisor to sales by providing clear and confident communication of underwriting's position on each client's risk profile.

• Proactively analyze quote details, client understanding, and regional insights to deliver optimal recommendations to sales, identifying opportunities and potential concerns while maintaining an independent perspective.

• Develop recommendations for policy adaptation and rating adjustments to address questionable claim patterns, unusual situations, or other factors not anticipated within standard pricing models.

• Maintain accurate book management details, including concession budget.

• Assess risk utilizing various measures such as risk scores, demographic analysis, and turnover considerations.

• Utilize an in-depth understanding of the department and the company's strategic goals and competitive position to drive client-level results towards these ends.

• Actively work with the sales team to manage the client portfolio towards achieving financial and business targets, such as membership, revenue, and margin.

• Effectively communicate underwriting rationale and case-specific underwriting results to aid sales management in making informed pricing decisions.

• Support the maintenance and improvement of departmental tools and processes, identifying needs and communicating these to product development teams.

• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Finance, Business, Computer Science, Science, Technology, or other quantitative analysis discipline or relevant experience as determined by the company in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Preferred

• None

EXPERIENCE

Required

• 4 years of relevant underwriting, risk management, or actuary experience applying advanced mathematics or quantitative analysis

Preferred

• 1 year in risk management, actuary, or of applying advanced mathematics.

• 1 year of external client interaction or comparable external interactions. 

LICENSES or CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• None

Preferred

• Actively pursuing a relevant professional designation from an organization such as (but not limited to) HIAA/AMHC, CEBS, SOA

SKILLS

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess risk, identify trends, and develop data-driven recommendations.

• Comprehensive understanding of health products, services, risk assessment, and underwriting techniques.

• Consultative mindset with a focus on building strong relationships with sales teams and clients.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to clearly and confidently explain complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and assume responsibility for moderately complex account situations.

• Understands the relationships between different systems and data sources.

• Proficient in using underwriting tools and software.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to foster cooperation, teamwork, and collaboration.

Language (Other than English):

None

Travel Requirement:

0% - 25%

PHYSICAL, MENTAL DEMANDS and WORKING CONDITIONS

Position Type

Office-based

Teaches / trains others regularly

Rarely

Travel regularly from the office to various work sites or from site-to-site

Occasionally

Works primarily out-of-the office selling products/services (sales employees)

Never

Physical work site required 

Yes

Lifting: up to 10 pounds

Constantly

Lifting: 10 to 25 pounds

Rarely

Lifting: 25 to 50 pounds

Never

Disclaimer: The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this job title. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.

Compliance Requirement: This job adheres to the ethical and legal standards and behavioral expectations as set forth in the code of business conduct and company policies.

As a component of job responsibilities, employees may have access to covered information, cardholder data, or other confidential customer information that must be protected at all times.  In connection with this, all employees must comply with both the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policies and Procedures as well as all data security guidelines established within the Company’s Handbook of Privacy Policies and Practices and Information Security Policy. 

Furthermore, it is every employee’s responsibility to comply with the company’s Code of Business Conduct. This includes but is not limited to adherence to applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations as well as company policies and training requirements.

Pay Range Minimum:

$72,700.00

Pay Range Maximum:

$116,600.00

Base pay is determined by a variety of factors including a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expected contributions, as well as internal peer equity, market, and business considerations.  The displayed salary range does not reflect any geographic differential Highmark may apply for certain locations based upon comparative markets.

Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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For accommodation requests, please contact HR Services Online at HRServices@highmarkhealth.org

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