Senior Associate, Underwriting Advisor

New York Life Insurance Co.; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

New York Life Insurance Co. is seeking an experienced Underwriter to independently evaluate and manage risk across an assigned employer group portfolio. You will develop pricing strategies and plan designs, provide consultative guidance to distribution, and support profitable growth and portfolio performance.

The role emphasizes collaboration with Sales, Client Management, and matrix partners, mentoring peers, and contributing to underwriting guidelines and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 5+ years of Group Life, Accident, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, and Absence underwriting, or other relevant experience.
• Strong time management, highly organized, detail oriented.

Responsibilities

• Perform risk analysis for 1,000+ lives accounts and develop pricing, renewal, and plan design strategies.
• Explain underwriting positions and rationale to Sales, Client Management, and brokers.
• Mentor and coach less-tenured underwriters and collaborate across teams.

Skills

Group Life underwriting

Underwriting risk assessment

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Location Designation: Hybrid - 3 days per week

Business Unit Overview:

Group Benefit Solutions delivers comprehensive insurance and absence management solutions for mid-size and large companies. Our work fosters a healthier, happier and more secure workforce, contributing to New York Life’s legacy of being there when we’re needed most. Here, you’ll design, implement and support these solutions directly impacting customers’ lives. At our core, we provide financial security and peace of mind to people through our absence, accident, disability, voluntary benefits and life insurance solutions.

Role Overview:

The Group Benefit Solutions Underwriting organization partners with Sales, Client Management, Pricing, Risk Management, and other business partners to evaluate and manage risk across employer group business. The organization is responsible for analyzing employer group characteristics, plan designs, experience, market dynamics, and other relevant information to develop appropriate underwriting strategies and rates for Life, Accident, Disability, and Absence products.

As an Underwriter, you will independently evaluate and manage risk across an assigned portfolio, developing competitive and financially sound case strategies that support profitable growth, persistency, earnings, and long-term portfolio performance. You will combine technical underwriting expertise with sound business judgment to evaluate new business and renewal opportunities, recommend pricing and plan design strategies, and provide consultative guidance to Distribution and broker partners.

In addition to case-specific underwriting responsibilities, you will contribute to the overall effectiveness of the underwriting organization through disciplined desk management, strong collaboration, mentoring and knowledge sharing, continuous improvement, development of subject-matter expertise, and support of broader New York Life and Group Benefit Solutions initiatives.

What You’ll Do:

Excel at the Core: Risk Management/Assessment

• Perform case-specific risk analysis, primarily for accounts with 1,000+ lives, and develop pricing, renewal, plan design, and case strategies that appropriately balance risk, competitiveness, customer needs, and financial objectives.
• Evaluate and interpret information from multiple sources, including group demographics, claims and experience data, plan design, industry and market information, actuarial tools, and other internal and external risk indicators.
• Exercise independent underwriting judgment within established Levels of Authority, appropriately escalating cases that require additional review and presenting clear recommendations supported by relevant analysis and rationale.
• Develop strategic recommendations related to market competition, products, pricing, plan design, and case positioning to improve risk profile and support profitable growth, persistency, and earnings.
• Manage an assigned book of business with a focus on portfolio performance, identifying emerging risks, growth opportunities, and actions that support sustainable financial outcomes.
• Serve as a case reviewer or risk reviewer, as appropriate, providing feedback and coaching while identifying and escalating recurring risk or quality trends.

Excel at the Core/Help our People Thrive: Collaboration and Consultation

• Serve as a consultative underwriting partner to Sales, Client Management, brokers, and other business partners, clearly communicating underwriting positions and the rationale behind recommendations.
• Partner with Distribution to develop solutions that balance customer objectives, competitive considerations, and appropriate risk management, including plan design and case-positioning alternatives when the requested approach cannot be supported.
• Provide consultative value by identifying opportunities for growth, enrollment, product positioning, and improved case outcomes where appropriate.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across Underwriting and matrix partner organizations, and provide underwriting support across teams or regions as business needs require.

Help our People Thrive/Support NYL & GBS Initiatives: Engagement, Development & Leadership

• Mentor and support less-tenured underwriters, interns, and peers as appropriate, helping strengthen technical knowledge, case strategy, underwriting judgment, and decision quality.
• Develop subject-matter expertise in designated strategic areas and serve as a trusted resource to underwriting, Distribution, and matrix partners.
• Actively contribute to team, underwriting, and cross-functional initiatives that support New York Life and Group Benefit Solutions priorities and improve organizational effectiveness.
• Participate in continuous-improvement forums, team huddles, problem-solving sessions, and cross-underwriting discussions; share best practices, lessons learned, and improvement opportunities.
• Identify and recommend process enhancements that improve efficiency, data quality, underwriting effectiveness, or customer experience, and contribute to underwriting guidelines, risk memos, and standard work as needed.
• Demonstrate adaptability as business needs, processes, tools, and technology evolve. Constructively raise questions, concerns, and alternative perspectives during decision-making and effectively support adopted solutions and new ways of working.
• Proactively pursue development opportunities, apply new knowledge to improve underwriting effectiveness, and share learning with others to support team and organizational success.

Excel at the Core: Technical Knowledge

• Apply technical knowledge to evaluate complex employer risks, interpret experience and financial information, assess plan design implications, and determine appropriate underwriting actions.
• Maintain awareness of market and competitive conditions, product capabilities, regulatory considerations, funding arrangements, and other external factors that may influence risk or case strategy.
• Act as a technical resource to team members and matrix partners and contribute to the development and refinement of underwriting best practices.
• Maintain strong underwriting quality and governance by ensuring decision rationale, rate development, file organization, and case documentation are accurate, complete, and consistent with departmental guidelines and Levels of Authority.
• Complete assigned underwriting audits or quality reviews in a timely and effective manner and address identified opportunities for improvement.

Excel at the Core: Desk Management

• Own an assigned book and desk, effectively prioritizing new business, renewals, inquiries, and presale activity to deliver timely, high-quality underwriting outcomes.
• Balance competing priorities and changing business needs while maintaining appropriate responsiveness to Distribution, customers, and internal partners.
• Maintain timely and accurate system data, case statuses, financial positions, and other required information to support operational, financial, and management reporting.
• Demonstrate strong organization, follow-through, and accountability for commitments, case outcomes, and portfolio responsibilities.

What You’ll Bring:

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• 5+ years of Group Life, Accident, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, and Absence underwriting, or other relevant experience required
• Demonstrated knowledge of large employer groups with multi-carrier product offerings and awareness of the drivers of a marketing outside of group insurance specific dynamics
• Thorough knowledge of risk factors that influence market and competitive conditions
• Ability to make effective decisions based on strong knowledge of all financial and risk levels, both internal and external
• Strong time management skills, highly organized, detail oriented
• Ability to foster strong working relationships
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to communicate complex ideas, persuade and negotiate effectively
• Ability to lead discussions and deliver external presentations and analysis to a diverse client base

Pay Transparency

Salary Range: $85,000-$110,000

Overtime eligible: Exempt

Discretionary bonus eligible: Yes

Sales bonus eligible: No

Actual base salary will be determined based on several factors but not limited to individual’s experience, skills, qualifications, and job location. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition to base salary, employees may also be eligible to participate in an incentive program.

Company Overview

At New York Life, our 180-year legacy of purpose and integrity fuels our future. As we evolve into a more technology-, data-, and AI-enabled organization, we remain grounded in the values that drive lasting impact.

Our diverse business portfolio creates opportunities to make a difference across industries and communities—inviting bold thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and purpose-driven innovation. Here, you’ll find the rare balance of long-standing stability and forward momentum, supported by an inclusive team that honors tradition while embracing progress.

As a Fortune 100 mutual company, we offer a place to grow your skills, contribute to meaningful work, and deliver solutions that matter. Your ideas drive what's next, and your growth powers it.

Our Benefits

We provide a full package of benefits for employees – and have unique offerings for a modern workforce, including leave programs, adoption assistance, and student loan repayment programs. Based on feedback from our employees, we continue to refine and add benefits to our offering, so that you can flourish both inside and outside of work. Click here to discover more about our comprehensive benefit options or visit our NYL Benefits Site.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At New York Life, fostering an inclusive workplace is fundamental to who we are and how we serve our communities. We have a longstanding commitment to creating an environment where individuals can contribute their best and succeed together. This foundation is rooted in our core values of humanity and integrity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported. By embracing a broad range of perspectives and experiences, we achieve greater success and fulfill our promise of providing financial security and peace of mind to families across all communities. Click here to learn more about New York Life’s leadership in this space.

Recognized as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, New York Life is committed to improving local communities through a culture of employee giving and volunteerism, supported by the Foundation. We're proud that due to our mutuality, we operate in the best interests of our policy owners. To learn more about career opportunities at New York Life, please visit the Careers page of www.NewYorkLife.com.

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