Underwriting Consultant

At Banner Life Insurance Company, we lead with heart and ambition. Every day, we transform purpose into progress, guided by our unwavering commitment to be better for our customers, clients, and communities, not just today but long-term as well. Our people are the driving force behind everything we achieve. Their passion, purpose, and pursuit of innovation empower us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that support those we serve, ensuring we are here for you, here for good and striving for better.

We're a forward-thinking company energized by our work and how we show up for one another. Our culture is built on meaningful impact and genuine enjoyment, because we believe great work and great experiences should go hand in hand.

By offering career development opportunities, comprehensive benefits, and programs that support your wellbeing, we help you thrive personally and professionally. We are here for you, here for good and here for better.

The Underwriting Consultant will select risks profitable to the Company while promoting a competitive offer for the agent and equitable results for the applicant. Review, analyze and classify new business, change and reinstatement applications, trial applications and inquiries in a timely and accurate manner. Leverage experience to assist in the development of less experienced underwriters. Be a trusted member of team for broker/partners. Be viewed as a leader and "Go To" person by teammates. Act as a referral underwriter for less experienced underwriters.

Review life insurance applications within the limits of authority, including all underwriting requirements and other evidence of insurability to determine acceptability and to detect and deter attempts to defraud the company.
• Order only additional requirements which are appropriate and necessary for the assessment of the risk.
• Make appropriate decisions on cases within approval authority. Through the referral process, recommend specific course or action or final decision on applications which are outside approval authority or where the complexity exceeds the individual experience level.
• Maintain favorable relationships with the field. Communicate with broker/partners the company position/decision on cases in a positive empathetic manner so as to foster confidence in the decision and encourage future business from the distribution system. Provide counsel and advice to agency offices regarding submission and placement of business.
• Identify process changes to improve customer experience.
• As required, communicate with reinsurers on cases.
• Approve Applications for policy issue up to $5,000,000 for all ages and ratings.
• Consistently meet or exceed productivity and quality guidelines established by the department or team.
• Assist the immediate manager with any special departmental projects at her/his direction.
• Provide members of management with information and possible solutions regarding issues which affect the team, its agencies, or the department as a whole.
• Make suggestions regarding increasing the approval authority or additional training of underwriters who refer cases.

Education

BS/BA degree or applicable experience. FLMI, FALU or CLU designation preferred

Experience/Knowledge

Minimum 8 years of underwriting experience, including large case underwriting and substandard cases

Skills

PC knowledge to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Knowledge of medical terminology and business financial documents

Production & quality oriented

Ability to make real-time independent decisions regarding life insurance applications

Effectively utilize available resources

Document cases and thought process

Review more complex personal and financial cases

Coach & mentor less experienced underwriters in the department, including second signature responsibilities

Demonstrate understanding of the reinsurance process

Proficient in financial underwriting, including underwriting business cases

Agile & process improvement mindset

Innovative & data driven

Proficient in understanding the reinsurance process, including when cases need to be submitted and how to do so

Able to demonstrate advanced technical underwriting knowledge and skills, including medical terminology

Demonstrate superior written and verbal communication skills

What's in it for you?

The expected hiring compensation range for this position is $109,900 - $135,000 annually. This is a remote opportunity, operating on EST. Candidates local to the Frederick, Maryland area preferred.

The total compensation package for this position may include other elements, such as a sign-on bonus, long term incentives, and annual bonuses. This role is eligible to participate in the Annual Incentive Plan. The current target payment for the position is 20% of base salary, modified for corporate and individual performance. Bonuses are pro-rated based on start date. This role has 20 vacation days and 10 sick days that are accrued on a bi-weekly basis. Employees also have 9 paid holidays throughout the calendar year .

We have a competitive compensation and benefits package focused on your overall wellbeing. Employee benefits include health, life, and dental insurance; 401K with company match up to 6% as well as a pension package; generous time off; and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year (we like doing fun stuff). We're big on professional development and we'll support and mentor you in your career progression and expect you to help us pay it forward by helping us develop tomorrow's leaders and growth-focused professionals. We value our teams and our communities and believe in giving back. Enjoy time off to volunteer for those causes that matter most to you!

If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. The Company reserves the right to change benefits plans at any time.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.