Director of Underwriting and Strategy

Job Location: Hybrid in Aurora IL or Kansas City MO, otherwise open to virtual within the US

Role Value Proposition

This position is responsible for leading a team of skilled and professional underwriting associates responsible for making sound risk decisions as it relates to competitive pricing and market specific strategies.  This includes evaluation for potential new business growth and the renewal strategies of existing business on groups sized 2-4999 eligible employees in all regions nationwide. 

Overall profitability and revenue growth of Core and VB coverages are significantly dependent upon this unit.  The unit works closely with sales on the development of appropriate case strategies for new business and renewal persistency and cross sell opportunities.  The incumbent has a great deal of latitude in exercising judgement.  The incumbent works closely with marketing, pricing and financial personnel in the Product Units on issues of product positioning, implementation of pricing strategies and support of financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial responsibility for Underwriting, both for new business and renewal underwriting decisions in order to write and renew blocks of customers/coverages while managing to desired target margins and desired rate actions. 
• Facilitate strategic planning and partnership with Sales and brokers to promote a service experience that differentiates MetLife in the marketplace and creates cross buying, persistency and overall growth

• Manage underwriting teams of approximately 7-10 associates so that the strategic pricing initiatives of the underwriting staff correctly balance the profitability and key growth drivers including quotes, closing ratio, persistency, products per sale and penetration of voluntary and accelerated value products,
• Build effective working relationships with the underwriting staff, sales management and sales personnel as well as the administrative operations in the Implementation and Service Units in order to effectively consult on strategic initiatives and address issues.
• Develop improved underwriting team competencies through the application of the appraisal, coaching and developmental components of the company’s performance management system.
• Make final decisions on opportunities requiring referral due to size and/or special plan features.
• Participate in the development of underwriting and pricing strategies patterns across Regional and Small Business Underwriting, Pricing and Sales by developing and implementing the necessary procedure changes within the business to support them.
• Respond to appeals on underwriting decisions presented by the underwriting staff.
• Recruits, develops, coaches and retains diverse associate talent
• Responsible for the development of talent and the overall employee experience

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills

Required:

• 5-10+ years of group benefits underwriting experience
• Knowledge - in-depth knowledge of the following areas: the underwriting end to end process, products and services, system applications used in underwriting process, pricing rules, and contractual and administrative documents

• Communication – Maintain open, credible lines of communication with associates.  Utilize effective negotiation skills. Communicate high standards of performance.  Excellent presentation skills.
• Coaching – Provide timely, candid feedback.  Promote teamwork and support associates.  Evaluate performance objectively. Strong people management skills
• Leadership –Manage creatively to meet changing market and organizational needs. Make timely, practical decisions.  Manage issue escalation and problem resolution.  Strong leadership skills in leading cultural change in an evolving organization.
• Initiative –Must be a catalyst for change to reinvent processes and ways of thinking to differentiate MetLife in the marketplace. Develop new ideas and direction to support Regional and Small Business goals. Adapt to change quickly and easily. 

• Partnership – ability to develop an effective network within MetLife to achieve objectives and meet customer needs and expectations
• Time Management, organization, and ability to delegate
• Ability to foster and drive organizational change through process optimization, change leadership and the development of a strong network of partners.
• Ability to manage an operating budget.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Strong Word, Excel, Power Point skills.
• Ability to travel (5-15%)

Preferred:

• Planning or Strategic Governance experience
• People management experience

Business Category

US Business

Number of Openings

1

At MetLife, we’re leading the global transformation of an industry we’ve long defined. United in purpose, diverse in perspective, we’re dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our customers.

MetLife:

MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

We are one of the largest institutional investors in the U.S. with $642.4 billion of total assets under management as of March 31, 2021. We are ranked #46 on the Fortune 500 list for 2021. In 2020, we were named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the fifth year in a row. DJSI is a global index to track the leading sustainability-driven companies. We are proud to have been named to Fortune magazine’s 2021 list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies.”      

MetLife is committed to building a purpose-driven and inclusive culture that energizes our people. Our employees work every day to help build a more confident future for people around the world.

The wage range for applicants for this position is 96,000 to 161,800. This role is also eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. MetLife offers a comprehensive benefits program, including healthcare benefits, life insurance, retirement benefits, parental leave, legal plan services and paid time off. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.

We want to make it simple for all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities with MetLife.  For further information about how to request a reasonable accommodation, please click on the Disability Accommodations link below.

MetLife is a proud Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer dedicated to attracting, retaining, and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at MetLife without regards to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.