Specialty Market Underwriter Consultant at Guardian Life Bethlehem, PA

Guardian Life; Bethlehem (Northampton County); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Guardian Life in Bethlehem, PA, seeks a Specialty Market Underwriter Consultant to drive growth in Life/Disability and other products. You will partner with Sales, Underwriting, and Product teams to expand revenue and market share, while mentoring staff and leading major underwriting projects.

You will analyze new and renewal business, apply state and federal regulations, and communicate plan designs to clients.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with Group Life, Disability and/or Dental underwriting.
• Background in experience-based rating and risk assessment.
• College degree preferred or relevant work experience.
• Ability to prioritize and efficiently handle multiple work items and due dates.
• Command of Underwriting tools and systems.
• Thorough knowledge of Group Insurance products/processes.

Responsibilities

• Improve Sales, Revenue and Earnings results on Life, Disability, Dental, Vision, Accident and Supplemental Health products in the Large Market & Key Markets space
• Participate in Guardian’s underwriting strategies to support key growth goals and to assume an industry leadership position in the PEO & alternative distribution space
• Independently lead underwriting oversight and management for assigned Key Markets relationships, collaborating on holistic partner strategies and contributing to regular stewardship
• Perform accurate financial analysis of new business and/or renewal business to determine the risk classification according to company guidelines
• Recommend competitively priced products, funding arrangements, and services to meet customer requirements. Effectively communicate rate development and plan design offered
• Apply knowledge of Federal and State legislation related to Group Insurance Products
• Complete administrative processing of cases. Utilize underwriting systems and databases for quotes, sales, renewals to track results
• Provide mentoring/coaching to help develop technical skills of others, support team growth and development initiatives. Conduct training for sales and/or underwriting staff as needed
• Support Specialty/Key Partnerships leadership with activities that are key drivers for the team to achieve results
• Negotiate with sales representatives or agents/brokers to resolve rate questions and discrepancies, or risk related concerns
• Build relationships externally through broker visits, regular connections and access to brokers, and training/education
• Take a leadership role for the most complex work or key project work. Handle a delegated part of a larger task for completion and integration with the overall deliverable

Skills

Underwriting

Negotiation

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Underwriting systems

Job description

Specialty Market Underwriter Consultant job at Guardian Life. Bethlehem, PA.

Join Guardian as a Specialty Market Underwriter Consultant and help drive growth in the Key Markets broker segment! In this role, you’ll partner with Sales, Underwriting, and Product & Pricing teams to expand revenue and market share while delivering profitable results. In addition, you will work with dynamic channel partners—PEOs, Master Brokers, Technology Partners, and Medical Carrier alliances—tackling complex underwriting challenges and shaping strategy.

Beyond technical expertise, you’ll mentor emerging talent, lead projects, and influence policy. Success requires strong negotiation skills, collaborative problem-solving, and confident, independent decision-making. If you’re ready to make an impact and thrive in a fast-paced, relationship-driven environment, this is your opportunity!

You will

• Improve Sales, Revenue and Earnings results on Life, Disability, Dental, Vision, Accident and Supplemental Health products in the Large Market & Key Markets space
• Participate in Guardian’s underwriting strategies to support key growth goals and to assume an industry leadership position in the PEO & alternative distribution space
• Independently lead underwriting oversight and management for assigned Key Markets relationships, collaborating on holistic partner strategies and contributing to regular stewardship
• Perform accurate financial analysis of new business and/or renewal business to determine the risk classification according to company guidelines
• Recommend competitively priced products, funding arrangements, and services to meet customer requirements. Effectively communicate rate development and plan design offered
• Apply knowledge of Federal and State legislation related to Group Insurance Products
• Complete administrative processing of cases. Utilize underwriting systems and databases for quotes, sales, renewals to track results
• Provide mentoring/coaching to help develop technical skills of others, support team growth and development initiatives. Conduct training for sales and/or underwriting staff as needed
• Support Specialty/Key Partnerships leadership with activities that are key drivers for the team to achieve results
• Negotiate with sales representatives or agents/brokers to resolve rate questions and discrepancies, or risk related concerns
• Build relationships externally through broker visits, regular connections and access to brokers, and training/education
• Take a leadership role for the most complex work or key project work. Handle a delegated part of a larger task for completion and integration with the overall deliverable

You have

• 5+ years of experience with Group Life, Disability and/or Dental underwriting
• Background in experience-based rating and risk assessment
• College degree preferred or relevant work experience
• Ability to prioritize and efficiently handle multiple work items and due dates
• Command of Underwriting tools and systems
• Thorough knowledge of Group Insurance products/processes
• Knowledge of local market competition and strategy (e.g., impact on claim pricing and product choices)
• Excellent analytical and mathematical skills and ability to apply them to complex cases and issues
• Ability to make decisions, solve problems and meet challenges in completing work
• Proven negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Effective use of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications

Leadership Behaviors

• Continuously strives to provide superior products and customer service
• Takes ownership for meeting individual performance objectives
• Upholds Guardian's commitment to ethical business practices

Critical Skills

• Advanced Underwriting Expertise
• Analytical & Decision-Making Skills
• Negotiation & Relationship Management
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Leadership & Project Management

Location and Work Arrangement

The work arrangement will be hybrid which includes three days per week in a local Guardian office and two days working from home. The preferred locations for this position are Bethlehem, PA, Boston, MA or Holmdel, NJ. Qualified remote candidates will be considered.

Travel

Minimal travel required for finalist and broker meetings.

Salary Range:

$86,210.00 - $141,635.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at . Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail]. Please note: this resource is for accommodation requests only. For all other inquires related to your application and careers at Guardian, refer to the Guardian Careers site.

Visa Sponsorship

Guardian is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment visas. In order to be a successful applicant. you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship.

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.