Job Description

Overview

This position is responsible for the overall management of a specifc team of underwriters within Insurance Operations. The assistant manager underwrites cases and concurs on larger case underwriting decisions. The assistant manager is responsible for the performance management and development of the underwriting associates and the integrity and execution of business processes and systems.This position is responsible for ensuring that service and underwriting standards, as outlined in the Partnership Agreements and scorecard objectives on underwriting functions, are consistently achieved or exceeded while managing potential risk to the Company. This position maintains positive business relationships with high-level personnel, clients, agents, internal departments, vendors and other insurance companies.Works closely with the Manager, Underwriting; Vice President & Chief Underwriter; Director of New Business; the Medical Department Doctors; and the New Business management staff to assist with the development of the underwriting staff and the development of procedures and guidelines toward a goal of outstanding service and effective cost management.

Responsibilities

What you will do:

• Assists Manager, Underwriting in the establishment of underwriting policies and standards in conjunction with the Vice President, Medical Director and the management staff of underwriting and new business to assure that policies and standards are met toward an objective of consistently classifying risks, which will produce favorable mortality and morbidity.
• Works closely with field sales associates and management to encourage and promote profitable new business revenue into our organization, and routinely interacts with senior-level management of the Enterprise with regard to daily administration and projects/initiatives. Participates in field advisory conferences, agent schools, meetings and office visits to answer questions and present information.
• Assists Manager, Underwriting with audits of the underwriters to assure appropriate underwriting action with timely feedback to the underwriters and their line managers, when appropriate, towards the development of a highly proficient underwriting staff.
• Underwrites large amount applications and serves as back-up to Vice President for concurrence on larger or difficult applications underwritten by the underwriters.
• Assists with the handling of complaints (both formal insurance department complaints and complaints from agents and policy applicants relative to underwriting) and assists New Business and Claims management in analyzing and/or answering complaints and disputes. Provides counseling to underwriters on appropriate personal relationship improvement techniques to foster good rapport with the producers. Fosters a culture throughout underwriting operations that promotes open communications, integrity, professionalism, a sense of urgency and teamwork.
• Plans, organizes and directs work within the team by monitoring statistical reports on department production, time service and quality, general observation and through contact with customers. Approves financial transactions within their approval authority.
• Evaluates productivity and quality of performance in relation to Partnership Agreements, managing work activities and balancing department resources to ensure that goals and expectations are met or exceeded.
• Leads staff through effective management and coaching. Manages the Company's performance management model, effectively communicating departmental goals and initiatives and providing regular feedback and coaching concerning job performance.
• Evaluates team members' potential and productivity, and supports associates in developing skills and competencies. Develops departmental education plan to assist associates in their personal, professional and technical development. Identifies and addresses performance issues.
• Fosters a culture in the department that promotes open communication, integrity, professionalism, teamwork and a sense of urgency. Uses both written and oral communication (including team and departmental meetings) to keep associates informed of Company initiatives and projects, internal procedures, goals, priorities and department philosophy.
• Participates in the Company's reward and recognition programs to acknowledge both team and individual accomplishments.
• Accurately anticipates resource changes required to support changes in workload. Plans ahead to accommodate such changes without impact to service levels or Company goals and objectives. Works with other managers in Insurance Operations to maximize department and Insurance Operations' resources.
• Initiates recommendations and effects changes required to keep departmental operations and philosophies in line with industry trends and developments. Stays current on industry trends through review of industry publications, LOMA resources and attendance at industry conferences.
• Actively seeks ways to reduce expenses to maximize efficiency. Champions processes, systems or personnel changes to achieve these efficiencies.
• Participates in research and makes decisions in departmental and corporate committees and projects. Manages intradepartmental projects and project teams related to Insurance Operations' or Company-wide initiatives for process improvements, increased efficiency or expense reductions.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with vendors and other insurance companies. Actively seeks improvements in current processes and/or cost reduction opportunities. Implements vendor changes with no disruption to service levels outlined in Partnership Agreements.
• Identifies production problems and works with IS staff to ensure correction. Routinely prioritizes outstanding work orders to ensure systems resources are being focused on those work orders which have the most impact on the organization. Identifies creative approaches or manual processes required to overcome errors in the system from the time the problem is identified until resolution. Implements a manual process if a system correction is not proven to be cost effective.
• Assists with preparation of department's annual salary and expense budget. Monitors overtime and mail expenses relative to the budget and makes appropriate adjustments in spending where possible.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree equivalent work experience. - Required
• Proven experience in coaching and developing individuals. This includes providing direction and effective feedback to team members utilizing solid performance management practices. - Required
• Possesses previous underwriting experience. -
• Demonstrated strong knowledge of insurance industry, business unit products and regulatory requirements related to underwriting. -
• Demonstrated solid experience in customer service including identifying client problems/issues and providing and initiating effective resolutions. Must provide examples of strong negotiation skills. -
• Possesses and displays excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to successfully interpret and communicate business needs and information to internal groups and external clients in a clear, focused and concise manner. -
• Proven experience in effectively coordinating multiple assignments and consistently achieving business goals. Expected to cite examples of organization skills and methods used to manage or prioritize workload demands. -
• Proven experience identifying and resolving problems where independent decision-making and solid judgment were effectively demonstrated -
• Successfully pass at least one ALU exam (within 24 months). within 1 Year - Required

Work Setting/Position Demands:

• Works in an office setting and remains in a stationary position for long periods of time while working at a desk, on a computer or with other standard office equipment, or while in meetings.
• Requires the ability to verbally communicate and exchange accurate information to customers and associates on a regular basis.
• Requires visual acuity to read and interpret a variety of correspondence, procedures, reports and forms via paper and electronic documents, visual inspection involving small defects; small parts, and/or operation of machinery (including inspection); using measurement devices continuously. Visual acuity is required to determine accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.
• Requires the ability to prepare written correspondence, reports and forms using prescribed formats and conforming to rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style on a regular basis.
• Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Performs substantial movement of wrists, hands, and fingers for continuous computer work.
• Extended hours required during peak workloads or special projects/events.

Travel Requirements:

• None