Lead Disability Underwriter

massmutual; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 163,900 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

MassMutual is seeking a highly experienced Disability Underwriter to lead the modernization of the Disability Income underwriting manual and to develop evidence-based guidelines that support digital transformation and long-term risk performance.

The role involves translating clinical and claims insights into actionable underwriting guidance, partnering with Claims, Pricing, Medical Directors, Compliance, and Product teams, and driving training and change management to adoption of new practices.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant work experience in DI Insurance Underwriting.
• Experience with research and writing guidelines.
• Mastery knowledge of individual DI insurance practices, underwriting standards, and operations.
• Demonstrated ability to research and interpret medical literature and translate into underwriting action.
• Must have an established approval limit without second signature.

Responsibilities

• Lead the modernization and ongoing evolution of MassMutual's Disability Income medical underwriting manual.
• Develop and maintain medical underwriting guidelines using clinical research, claims experience, emerging trends, and industry best practices.
• Partner with Claims, Pricing, Medical Directors, Compliance, and Product teams to ensure underwriting guidance is competitive, effective, and aligned with risk objectives.
• Translate complex medical, actuarial, and claims insights into clear underwriting guidance for consistent risk assessment and decision-making.
• Assess current underwriting frameworks and identify opportunities to improve guideline structure, usability, consistency, and scalability.
• Support development of digital and automated underwriting capabilities, including rules-based decisioning tools and knowledge bases.
• Champion the adoption of new underwriting practices through training and change management.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and strategic partner to underwriting leadership to strengthen risk governance and profitability.

Skills

Disability Income underwriting

Medical literature interpretation

Guideline development

Stakeholder collaboration

Change management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Rules-based decisioning tools

Knowledge bases

Job description

The Opportunity:

This role will primarily lead and support the modernization of MassMutual's Disability Income underwriting manual, including evaluation, redesign, and ongoing maintenance of evidence-based medical underwriting guidelines. This is a high-impact, strategic role shaping the future of DI underwriting at MassMutual and an opportunity to build next-generation underwriting guidelines that will support digital transformation and long-term risk performance. Ideal candidate will be a highly experienced Disability Underwriter.

This position is not generally attainable by all incumbents.

The Team:

You'll join a collaborative and forward-thinking team of underwriters from various backgrounds and product expertise, who are motivated to shape the underwriting landscape at MassMutual. As a team, we demonstrate accountability, agility, a dedication to being inclusive, a strong business acumen, and show courage and professionalism when advocating for a particular project or presenting a healthy challenge to the status quo.

The Impact:

Lead the modernization and ongoing evolution of MassMutual's Disability Income medical underwriting manual, ensuring it remains innovative, evidence-based, and aligned with business objectives.

Develop and maintain medical underwriting guidelines using clinical research, claims experience, emerging trends, and industry best practices.

Partner with Claims, Pricing, Medical Directors, Compliance, and Product teams to ensure underwriting guidance is competitive, effective, and appropriately aligned with risk objectives.

Translate complex medical, actuarial, and claims insights into clear, actionable underwriting guidance that promotes consistent risk assessment and decision-making.

Assess current underwriting frameworks and identify opportunities to improve guideline structure, usability, consistency, and scalability.

Support the development of digital and automated underwriting capabilities, including rules-based decisioning tools, knowledge bases, and future underwriting technologies.

Champion the adoption of new underwriting practices through training, change management, and ongoing engagement with underwriting teams.

Serve as a subject matter expert and strategic partner to underwriting leadership, helping strengthen risk governance, underwriting quality, and profitable growth.

The Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant work experience in DI Insurance Underwriting
• Experience with research and writing guidelines
• Mastery knowledge of individual DI insurance practices, underwriting standards, and operations
• Demonstrated ability to research and interpret medical literature and translate into underwriting action
• Must have an established approval limit without second signature

The Ideal Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Have an established approval limit
• Industry exams/designations completed, e.g., ALU 101, 201, 202, LOMA, ALMI, FMLI, ALU, FALU, DIA, DIF, RHU, CLU
• Direct experience developing or maintaining medical underwriting manuals or formal guideline frameworks
• Familiarity with impairment-based underwriting frameworks and clinical risk stratification
• Experience supporting automated / digital underwriting rule implementation

What You Can Expect at MassMutual

• Clear areas of ownership and accountability, with work that connects directly to company and customer outcomes
• A collaborative environment where perspectives are welcomed
• Access to learning, development, and internal networks that support continuous growth and skill-building over time
• Employee-led communities and forums that foster connection, learning, and inclusion across the organization
• A culture grounded in integrity, responsibility, and stewardship-supported by a company with a strong legacy and a future-focused mindset

#LI-MC1

Salary Range:

$163,900-$215,000

At MassMutual, we focus on ensuring fair equitable pay, by providing competitive salaries, along with incentive and bonus opportunities for all employees. Your total compensation package includes either a bonus target or in a sales-focused role a Variable Incentive Compensation component.

Why Join Us.

We've been around since 1851. During our history, we've learned a few things about making sure our customers are our top priority. In order to meet and exceed their expectations, we must have the best people providing the best thinking, products and services. To accomplish this, we celebrate an inclusive, vibrant and diverse culture that encourages growth, openness and opportunities for everyone. A career with MassMutual means you will be part of a strong, stable and ethical business with industry leading pay and benefits. And your voice will always be heard.

We help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. As a company owned by our policyowners, we are define