Sr Underwriting Specialist

The Long-Term Care Underwriter is responsible for evaluating, classifying, and rendering appropriate risk decisions on Long Term Care insurance applications in accordance with established underwriting guidelines, company standards, and service expectations. This position requires sound analytical judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage cases effectively while supporting professional and responsive experience for field partners, clients, and internal stakeholders.

• PLEASE NOTE: Candidates with Long Term Care underwriting experience or relevant individual insurance underwriting experience will be strongly preferred.

Job Summary
The Long-Term Care Underwriter develops and maintains effective working relationships with Financial Advisors, field partners, internal business partners, and clients. The incumbent evaluates Long Term Care insurance applications, assesses medical, functional, cognitive, occupational, and lifestyle risk factors, and makes appropriate underwriting determinations consistent with company guidelines, production standards, and service objectives.


Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Field & Client Experience

• Establishes and maintains credible, professional, and effective communication with field partners and clients, including responding to case inquiries, appeals, and placement-related questions.

• Provides guidance and support to the Financial Network and Financial Representatives regarding case underwriting, risk assessment, and related underwriting considerations.

• Reviews and responds to prescreen inquiries in accordance with established underwriting practices and service expectations.

Underwriting

• Analyzes and appraises Long Term Care insurance applications; approves, classifies, modifies, or declines applications based on established underwriting guidelines and sound risk judgment.

• Independently reviews applications and applies Long Term Care underwriting standards, product knowledge, and risk selection principles with limited guidance as needed.

• Evaluates medical, functional, and cognitive information to assess morbidity risk and determine the best appropriate offer.

• Demonstrates ongoing learning and adaptability through the effective adoption of new underwriting practices, tools, and processes.

• Underwrites applications while maintaining expected morbidity outcomes, providing active case and requirement management, and delivering a customized service experience.

• Communicates and negotiates with field partners to explain modified or declined underwriting decisions and support policy placement when appropriate.

• Applies sound medical, functional, and cognitive underwriting assessment skills and identifies practical solutions to support policy placement when appropriate.

• Uses the most effective available resources to obtain necessary information, including medical records, digital health data, direct contact with the applicant, and communication with third-party advisors as appropriate.

• Consults with peer reviewers, medical resources, and technical staff on complex cases, as needed.

• Meets established quality, service, cycle time, and production expectations while maintaining underwriting integrity.

• Resolves case-related issues and escalations, seeking guidance as appropriate based on case complexity and authority level.

• Partners with Underwriting Support to facilitate effective case management and timely completion of underwriting requirements.

Cross-functional leadership

• May serve as an underwriting representative on product, process, or operational improvement initiatives in collaboration with functional partners participating in additional projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience is preferred.

• Minimum of 1.5 years of traditional underwriting experience; Long Term Care underwriting experience is strongly preferred.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to make independent decisions, apply sound judgment, and interpret underwriting guidelines consistently.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain underwriting decisions clearly, handle confidential information appropriately, and exercise tact and diplomacy.

• Proficiency with computer applications and relevant software platforms required to perform underwriting responsibilities.

• Ability to work accurately while maintaining appropriate speed, flexibility, and productivity in both team-based and independent work environments.

• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to establish priorities, manage competing responsibilities, and meet established deadlines.

• Demonstrated agility and adaptability in managing multiple priorities within a changing work environment.

Compensation Range:

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We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

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Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.