Director, Group Benefits - Underwriting

Self-Insurance Institute of America; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Self-Insurance Institute of America seeks a senior underwriter-focused professional to evaluate and select risks for Gerber Life Group Benefits products and distribution channels. The role emphasizes profitability targets, collaboration with MGUs, brokers, and reinsurers, and leadership in underwriting strategy and audits.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree and 5–10 years of medical stop loss underwriting experience, with strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required and 5–10 years knowledge in medical stop loss underwriting.
• Proven track record of achieving profitability targets and building stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to review financial reports and loss ratios to support profit objectives.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and underwriting platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop deep product and industry knowledge related to Gerber Life Group Benefits products and distribution.
• Evaluate and select risk to ensure profitable acquisition of new cases and retention of in-force business.
• Coordinate with MGUs, brokers, and reinsurers to align case issues, pricing, and placement.
• Develop and direct annual risk-based underwriting audits of distribution partners.
• Monitor market results and implement strategies to improve underwriting margins.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Leadership

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Medical stop loss underwriting platforms

Job description

A Brief Overview

Partners with Gerber Life (a subsidiary of Western & Southern Financial Group) Group Benefits medical stop loss and specialty lines underwriters to evaluate and select risk, monitor results, and develop/execute on strategies for continuous improvement in underwriting performance. Position is responsible for developing and strengthening relationships with distribution partners to effectively direct processes such as facultative reviews, among others, to ensure profitability targets are achieved.

What you will do

• Develop in depth product and industry knowledge as it relates to Gerber Life Group Benefits products and distribution. Assist in daily business strategy and growth management with MGU’s, TPA’s and brokers.
• Evaluate and select risk to ensure the profitable acquisition of new cases and the continued profitable retention of in-force business through facultative reviews of our MGU partners. Cultivate relationships with MGU leadership to evaluate facultative submissions and make determinations as to the appropriateness of risk selection, terms, and pricing to support continuous improvement in underwriting results.
• Review referral guidelines to ensure alignment with industry best practices, and develop monitoring processes to ensure continued operation within guidelines.
• Provide expertise in evaluation of new programs, program structure, expansion into additional lines of business, and emerging market opportunities.
• Communicate and partner with MGUs, brokers, reinsurers and internal stakeholders regarding case issues, underwriting assessments, pricing, rating, placement of lasers, etc.
• Develop, implement and direct the execution of annual, risk-based underwriting audits of distribution partners.
• Monitor developing market and block results to proactively identify threats to profitability objectives, detect emerging trends or loss concentrations. Develop and execute on strategies to improve underwriting margin and maintain loss ratios below established targets.
• Continuously review reinsurance programs to identify opportunities for improvement and review proposed changes on an annual basis.
• Provide support to Group Benefits team in execution of operations, compliance, and claims administration.
• Participate in periodic review of existing distribution and risk monitoring through frequent communication with senior executives (Gerber Life, W&S Actuarial, W&S Risk, Gerber Life/W&S Compliance, etc.).
• Provides direction to and development of associates through daily coaching, the administration of the Performance Management Model, and the creation and implementation of development plans. Recruits, hires, trains and develops staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree - Required
• 5-10 years knowledge in medical stop loss insurance underwriting. - Required
• Proven track record of achieving medical stop loss profitability targets, building relationships with customers and stakeholders and successfully negotiating with external and internal customers. - Required
• Adept at negotiating sound business deals as well as demonstrate excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. - Required
• Proven ability to grasp new products, concepts and procedures. - Required
• Ability to review financial reports and loss ratios to ensure profit and sales objectives are achieved, and recommend and implement changes to improve overall results. - Required
• Ability to handle multiple duties and completing assigned tasks accurately and on a timely basis. - Required
• Demonstrated knowledge of insurance products and regulations. - Required
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications and common medical stop loss underwriting platforms. - Required
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. - Required

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