AVP, Underwriting & Strategic Pricing

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 231,000 - 370,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Bonus

401(k) with employer match

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Blue Cross NC seeks an AVP, Underwriting & Strategic Pricing to lead underwriting across Commercial Employer segments and national business. You will collaborate with Sales, Actuarial, Finance, Product, Network Management, and Operations to drive profitable growth and price strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 10 years of health insurance underwriting experience.
• 12+ years of related underwriting, pricing, or healthcare business experience in lieu of a degree.
• Progressive leadership experience within underwriting, strategic pricing, actuarial partnership, or commercial insurance operations.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including growth, profitability, forecasting.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and translate complex data into decisions.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and executive presence.

Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting and strategic pricing efforts for the Commercial Employer market.
• Partner with executive leaders to balance growth, competitiveness, retention, and financial performance.
• Provide market insights shaping business decisions and enterprise outcomes.
• Oversee risk assessment, rate development, underwriting governance, pricing methodologies.
• Analyze market trends, performance, and profitability drivers for strategic recommendations.
• Drive forecasting, financial planning, and performance management with Finance and Actuarial.
• Lead modernization through process improvement, automation, analytics and excellence initiatives.
• Develop and empower a high-performing team with accountability and collaboration.

Skills

Business Acumen

Business Analysis

Consultation

Data Analysis

Financial Analysis

Insurance

Process Improvements

Project Management

Risk Management

Strategic Planning

Underwriting

Vendor Evaluations

Education

Bachelor's degree in health insurance underwriting

12+ years underwriting or healthcare business experience in lieu of degree

Job description

Job Description

Accountable for the underwriting of group prospects and renewals for both fully-insured and self-funded health & ancillary products. Ensures equitable and consistent application of underwriting principles and strategic pricing practices to drive profitable membership growth across all applicable segments. Key responsibilities include setting performance standards relating to accuracy, timeliness, productivity, and customer satisfaction. Oversees Underwriting systems and technology. Provides strategic leadership for Stop Loss and National business.

Due to an internal promotion, Blue Cross NC is seeking a strategic and influential leader to serve as our next AVP, Underwriting & Strategic Pricing.

This is a highly visible leadership role at the intersection of growth, risk management, affordability, and financial performance. As a key member of the leadership team, you will shape underwriting and pricing strategy for our Commercial Employer business, helping Blue Cross NC remain competitive in the market while delivering sustainable value for customers, members, and the communities we serve.

This leader will partner across Sales, Actuarial, Finance, Product, Network Management, and Operations to drive profitable growth, inform enterprise strategy, and lead a high-performing underwriting organization.

What You'll Do

• Lead underwriting and strategic pricing efforts for the Commercial Employer market.
• Partner with executive leaders to develop strategies that balance growth, competitiveness, customer retention, and financial performance.
• Provide thought leadership and market insights that influence business decisions and enterprise outcomes.
• Oversee risk assessment, rate development, underwriting governance, and pricing methodologies.
• Analyze market trends, business performance, and profitability drivers to inform strategic recommendations.
• Drive forecasting, financial planning, and performance management in partnership with Finance and Actuarial teams.
• Lead modernization efforts through process improvement, automation, analytics, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Develop and empower a high-performing team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree and 10 years of health insurance underwriting experience.

OR

• 12+ years of related underwriting, pricing, or healthcare business experience in lieu of a degree.

Additionally, successful candidates will bring:

• Progressive leadership experience within underwriting, strategic pricing, actuarial partnership, or commercial insurance operations.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including experience supporting growth, profitability, and forecasting initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and translate complex data into business decisions.
• Exceptional communication, relationship‑building, and executive presence.

Bonus Points

• MBA or other advanced degree.
• Experience supporting Large Group and Commercial Employer markets.
• Experience leading complex pricing, underwriting, or business transformation initiatives.
• Six Sigma, Lean, or process improvement certification or experience.
• Strong understanding of healthcare financing, risk management, and employer‑sponsored health plans.

Why Blue Cross NC?

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape strategy at one of the nation's leading Blue plans. You'll help define how we compete, grow, and serve our customers while leading a critical function that directly impacts business performance and long‑term success.

If you're a strategic underwriting leader who thrives at the intersection of analytics, business strategy, and people leadership, we'd love to hear from you.

Salary Range

At Blue Cross NC, we take great pride in a fair and equitable compensation package that reflects market‑price and our starting salaries are typically planned near the middle of the range listed. Compensation decisions are driven by factors including experience and training, specialized skill sets, licensure and certifications and other business and organizational needs. Our base salary is part of a robust Total Rewards package that includes an Annual Incentive Bonus, 401(k) with employer match, Paid Time Off (PTO), and competitive health benefits and wellness programs.

*Based on annual corporate goal achievement and individual performance.

$231,295.00 - $370,073.00

Skills: Business Acumen, Business Analysis, Consultation, Data Analysis, Financial Analysis, Insurance, Process Improvements, Project Management, Risk Management, Strategic Planning, Underwriting, Vendor Evaluations