Underwriter

Highmark Health; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 62,700 - 97,200; Full time

Job summary

Highmark Inc. is seeking a data-driven underwriting professional to serve as the primary point of contact for sales teams and clients, delivering insights and recommendations to aid customer acquisition and retention while ensuring adherence to underwriting policies.

The role analyzes industry, financial condition and other characteristics to assess risk on a book of small to mid-sized clients. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams on client-level quotes, own the underwriting

Qualifications

• Understanding of health products, services, risk assessment and techniques.
• Consultative mindset and client-focused skills.
• Strong oral and written communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of clients with all rating methods and underwriting engagement from identification to final contract.
• Own quotes delivered to sales partners and communicate underwriting positions clearly.
• Respond to questions, extract insights from quotes and client data to improve recommendations.
• Calculate rates using company rating algorithms and adjust for unusual claim patterns.
• Maintain accurate book management details including concession budgets.
• Assess risk using risk scores, demographics and turnover considerations.
• Align client results with department goals and competitive positioning.
• Communicate underwriting results with internal departments and meet production standards.
• Perform administrative tasks and coordinate workload.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Understanding of health products, risk

Consultative mindset

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Finance, Business, Computer Science, Science, Technology, or related quantitative field

Job description

Company: Highmark Inc.

Job Summary

This role serves as a point of contact for sales teams and assigned customers, delivering insights and recommendations to aid customer acquisition and retention while maintaining performance goals. The incumbent analyzes data such as type of industry, financial condition, and other characteristics to assess risk for a book of business consisting of standard small and mid‑sized clients in conformance with established underwriting policies, practices, and standards. May prepare a variety of reports to support developed rating actions. The incumbent will collaborate with cross‑functional team members on client‑level quotes and function as a trusted advisor by providing financial and risk management support to sales as well as strategic insight.

Essential Responsibilities

• Work with the sales team and underwriting peers and leaders to manage a portfolio of clients, including all rating methods and owning the underwriting engagement from initial identification through documentation of final sold‑contract details.
• Serve as the accountable owner for all quotes delivered to sales partners. Develop a perspective on each client package deliverable. Clearly communicate underwriting’s position on the risk profile of each client.
• Respond to questions and draw insights from quote details, client understanding, and regional insights to deliver the best possible recommendation to sales. State and maintain an independent perspective, identifying opportunities and concerns.
• Calculate rates utilizing company rating algorithms, adjusting accordingly to cover questionable claim patterns or unusual situations not otherwise contemplated within the standard formula.
• Maintain accurate book management details, including concession budget.
• Assess risk by looking at various risk measures such as risk scores, demographic analysis, and turnover considerations.
• Utilize a basic understanding of the department and the company’s strategic goals and competitive position to drive client‑level results towards these ends.
• Communicate case‑specific underwriting results with other internal departments.
• Complete workload within established production and timeliness standards.
• Perform administrative tasks and aide in workload coordination.
• Other duties as assigned or requested.

Education Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Finance, Business, Computer Science, Science, Technology, or other quantitative analysis discipline or relevant experience as determined by the company in lieu of a bachelor’s degree

Education Preferred

• None

Experience Required

• 2 years of relevant underwriting, risk management, or actuary experience applying advanced mathematics or quantitative analysis

Experience Preferred

• 1 year of health care underwriting, risk management, actuary work, or applying advanced mathematics

Licenses or Certifications Required

• None

Licenses or Certifications Preferred

• None

Skills

• Understanding of health products, services, risk assessment and techniques
• Consultative mindset
• Strong oral and written communications skills

Travel Requirement: 0% - 25%

Physical, Mental Demands and Working Conditions

Position Type: Office‑based

Teaches / trains others regularly: Rarely

Travel regularly from the office to various work sites or from site‑to‑site: Occasionally

Works primarily out‑of‑the office selling products/services (sales employees): Never

Physical work site required: Yes

Lifting: up to 10 pounds — Constantly

Lifting: 10 to 25 pounds — Rarely

Lifting: 25 to 50 pounds — Never

Pay Range

Pay Range Minimum: $62,700.00

Pay Range Maximum: $97,200.00

Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.