Chief Underwriter – Life Underwriting – Remote

Symetra is looking for a visionary underwriter with a passion for shaping the future of insurance to serve as its next Chief Underwriter for our Life Division. We are seeking an experienced underwriting leader to drive our ambitious growth strategy.

About The Role

As a key member of our leadership team, you will have the opportunity to lead underwriting excellence, craft innovative risk solutions, and play a pivotal role in scaling our Life Division to new heights. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are excited to make a lasting impact in a rapidly growing business, we want to hear from you!

Key Measures Of Success

• Partner with sales to achieve company’s sales and growth goals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with distribution partners.
• Set the risk assessment policies and guidelines in collaboration with Actuarial, Reinsurance and other key constituents.
• Improve the risk assessment process based on customer insights and aligned with company goals.
• Takes accountability for achieving expected mortality and partnering with actuarial to influence product pricing.
• Lead, empower, develop and grow the underwriting team and function (team of 50+).
• Build and nurture an inclusive and collaborative team culture that aligns with our Symetra Empowers framework and leadership commitments.
• Seek underwriting advancement, competitiveness, and pursue underwriting innovations.
• Enhance and execute our digital and accelerated underwriting experience from the lens of both customers and underwriters.
• Maintain operational excellence. Maintain expenses within budget and product pricing allowables.
  
  

What You Will Do

• Lead and manage the underwriting function.
• Establish effective working relationships with internal and external business partners.
• Ensure risk assessments meet pricing assumptions and all related Company, reinsurance and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure that the underwriting guidelines remain current and in line with business needs and actuarial assumptions.
• Represent the Company in meetings with distributors, industry forums and professional organizations.
• Collaborate with Sales to ensure strong relationships with distribution partners.
• Provide guidance and support with internal and external business partners for new product activities.
• Monitor, analyze, and communicate industry and underwriting changes, and regulations, in coordination with Underwriting, Sales and Actuarial leadership.
• Monitor competitor underwriting and other key industry trends and develops responses required to maintain competitiveness within Company risk and financial tolerances.
• Collaborate with key partners to investigate and implement technology solutions that improve processes, manage costs and leverage data analytics/predictive modeling.
• Collaborate with technology, sales, actuarial, operations and third-party vendors to deliver and evolve our digital underwriting experience.
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, and subject matter experts to fully analyze and understand existing products, business processes, and systems.
  
  

Why Work at Symetra

Here’s what some of our employees have to say about why they work at Symetra:

“Symetra is a great place if you are looking for the opportunity to contribute, to grow, to be seen and valued.” Vernell K. – Auditor

“We're big enough to make an impact on the country, but small enough to care and know who you are and what you're contributing to the organization. All new ideas are welcome!” Stephanie F. – VP Customer Service & Operations

What We Offer You

Benefits and Perks

We don’t take a “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to our employees. Our programs are designed to make your life better both at work and at home.

• Flexible full-time or hybrid telecommuting arrangements
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) plan and take advantage of immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%
• Paid time away including vacation and sick time, flex days and ten paid holidays
• Give back to your community and double your impact through our company matching
• Want more details? Check out our Symetra Benefits Overview
  
  

Compensation

Salary Range: $225,000 - $260,000 plus eligibility for annual bonus program and long-term incentive plan

Your Experience And Skills

• At least 15 years of life underwriting experience, with a minimum of 5 years of brokerage experience required.
• Prior leadership experience required.
• Deep knowledge of life insurance underwriting.
• FALU designation required.
• Analytical, financial and technical skills required.
• Ability to manage reinsurance relationships.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to concisely provide executive summaries to senior management.
• Strong problem-solving analytical skills, with an ability to drive data analytics and make appropriate conclusions on results.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong understanding of legal and regulatory issues surrounding underwriting/risk selection issues.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively leverage data/tools to tell the story and drive business decisions.
• Demonstrated inclusive leadership and management skills with track record of building teams and identifying, mentoring, amplifying and growing talent.
• Ability to create and lead change initiatives with thoughtful communication plan and approach.
• Experience with corporate governance and controls management, including processes and systems.
• Travel required for internal business and partner/industry meetings and events.
• Demonstrated bias for action with a high sense of urgency, strong work ethic and drive for results.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
  
  

We empower inclusion

At Symetra, we aspire to be the most inclusive insurance company in the country. We’re building a place where every employee feels valued, respected, and has opportunities to contribute.

Inclusion is about recognizing our assumptions, considering multiple perspective, and removing barriers. We accept and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives, because lifting each other up fuels thought and builds a stronger, more innovative company. We invite you to learn more about our efforts here .

Creating a world where more people have access to financial freedom

Symetra is a national financial services company dedicated to helping people achieve their financial goals and feel confident about the future. In our daily work, we’re guided by the principles of Value, Transparency and Sustainability. This means we provide products and services people need at a competitive price, we communicate clearly and openly so people understand what they’re buying, and we design products—and operate our company—to stand the test of time. We’re committed to showing up for our communities, lifting up our employees, and standing up for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Join our team and help us create a world where more people have access to financial freedom.

For more information about our careers visit: https://symetra.eightfold.ai/careers

Work Authorization

Employer work visa sponsorship and support are not provided for this role. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at hire and must maintain authorization to work in the United States throughout their employment with our company.

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