AVP, Underwriting & Strategic Pricing

Blue Cross and 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 (PTO)

Competitive health benefits

Job summary

Blue Cross NC is seeking a strategic AVP, Underwriting & Strategic Pricing to lead the Commercial Employer underwriting and pricing strategy. This executive will drive profitable growth, oversee governance, and partner across Sales, Actuarial, Finance, Product, Network Management, and Operations.

The role requires a strong track record in leadership, analytics, and cross-functional influence, with a focus on affordability, risk management, and financial performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 10 years of health insurance underwriting experience.
• 12+ years of 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 with experience in growth, profitability, and forecasting.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and translate complex data into business decisions.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and executive presence.

Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting and strategic pricing efforts for the Commercial Employer market.
• Partner with executive leaders to develop strategies balancing growth, competitiveness, retention, and financial performance.
• Provide thought leadership and market insights to 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 with Finance and Actuarial teams.
• Lead modernization through process improvement, automation, analytics, and operational excellence.
• Develop and empower a high-performing team with a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic pricing

Underwriting governance

Financial acumen

Stakeholder collaboration

Data interpretation

Executive communication

Market insights

Education

Bachelor's 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