Director, Group Benefits - Underwriting

Gerber Life Insurance Company; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Gerber Life Insurance Company in Cincinnati seeks an experienced underwriting professional to partner with group benefits underwriters and distribution partners. You will evaluate risk, support profitability targets, and coordinate with MGUs, brokers, reinsurers, and internal teams to optimize underwriting outcomes.

The role requires strong negotiation, leadership, analytical skills, and a track record of improving medical stop loss profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree is required.
• 5-10 years knowledge in medical stop loss insurance underwriting.
• Proven track record of achieving profitability targets and building relationships.
• Adept at negotiating sound business deals with strong communication and leadership.
• Ability to review financial reports and loss ratios to improve results.

Responsibilities

• Develop in depth product and industry knowledge related to Gerber Life Group Benefits products and distribution.
• Evaluate and select risk to ensure profitable acquisition and retention via facultative reviews.
• Review referral guidelines and develop monitoring processes to stay within guidelines.
• Provide expertise in evaluation of new programs and expansion opportunities.
• Communicate with MGUs, brokers, reinsurers and internal stakeholders on case issues and pricing.
• Develop and direct annual risk-based underwriting audits of distribution partners.
• Monitor market results to identify threats to profitability and improve underwriting margin.
• Review reinsurance programs for opportunities and annual updates.
• Support Group Benefits team in operations, compliance, and claims administration.
• Participate in periodic reviews with senior executives.
• Performs other duties and complies with policies.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Leadership

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Risk assessment

Relationship building

Financial review

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Underwriting platforms

Job description

Partners with Gerber Life 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.).
• 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