Logo for Symetra

Underwriting Consultant - Life Underwriting - Remote

Role overview

Summary

The Underwriting Consultant role at Symetra focuses on assessing complex mortality risks while balancing underwriting principles with customer needs. This position plays a critical part in the Life Underwriting Department, ensuring that underwriting decisions are made thoughtfully and effectively.

Qualifications

  • At least 7-10 years of Individual Life Underwriting experience.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to manage large caseloads.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
  • Preferred: College degree preferred, high school diploma required.

Responsibilities

  • Review individual life insurance applications and underwrite standard and substandard risks within authorized limits.
  • Determine whether to accept, reject or modify life insurance risks based on evaluation of applicant’s medical history and financial background.
  • Communicate effectively with agents/producers to explain adverse underwriting decisions.
  • Serve as a role model for other underwriters and handle high-visibility cases.

Key facts

  • Remote from: United States
  • Freelance
  • Senior (5-10 years)
  • Business Consultant
  • $97K – $161K / year
  • English

Hard skills

Other skills

  • Analytical Skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Detail Oriented
  • Communication
  • Social Skills
  • Time Management

About the company

Symetra logo

Symetra

  • Insurance
  • Large
  • 1,001–5,000
Symetra is a financial services company offering annuities, life insurance and employee benefits that help people create secure retirements, protect their families and get benefits at work. We are headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, and have offices across the country. Interested in a career at Symetra, but think you’re not "the insurance type?” You might be surprised by the variety of jobs that keep Symetra rolling. Plus the vast majority of our roles are open to being full-time remote. Check out our latest opportunities at symetra.com/about-us/careers/ To see our social media guidelines, visit: symetra.com/social Symetra Life Insurance Company is the parent company of First Symetra National Life Insurance Company of New York (collectively, “Symetra”). Symetra Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York and is not authorized to do so. Each company is responsible for its own financial obligations.

Your match analysis

See how your profile stacks up against this role.

We compared the job requirements to your profile to show where you're strong and where you fall short.

Job description

Symetra has an exciting opportunity to join our Life Underwriting Department as an Underwriting Consultant!

About the role

At Symetra, we believe in empowering people to make a meaningful impact—and that includes our underwriters. As an Underwriting Consultant, you’ll bring your expertise, judgment, and curiosity to a role where thoughtful decisions truly matter. You’ll assess complex mortality risks with consistency and care, balancing sound underwriting principles with our commitment to meeting customer and market needs.

What you will do

 Review individual life insurance applications and underwrite standard and substandard risks within authorized limits of authority in accordance with department guidelines, including:

  • Determining whether to accept, reject or modify life insurance risks by evaluation of applicant’s medical history, financial background, insurable interest and financial need.
  • Conferring with other Consultant-level Underwriters and up, Medical Director, Director of Indv Underwriting and/or Chief Underwriter on complex cases and situations not established by practice. Obtaining second signature on cases that exceed designated underwriting authority.
  • Meeting established time service standards.
  • Serve as a role model for other underwriters by establishing themselves as underwriting experts and as a “go to” person for underwriting issues; and Designee to handle high-visibility/high face amount or otherwise special cases.
  • Communicate effectively with agents/producers to explain adverse underwriting decisions, while maintaining agency relationship and encouraging future business. 
  • Actively seek out/identify resources and projects to improve underwriting staff, and improve understanding of business line within the company and industry.
  • Represent the underwriting function in inter-departmental meetings/projects.
  • Represent Symetra at external functions as appropriate.

Why Work at Symetra

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

“Working across different departments at Symetra has been a fantastic experience. What truly stands out is how much the leaders genuinely care about every employee, regardless of role. It’s inspiring to be part of a company so deeply focused on its people and committed to making a positive impact in the community.” - Bill G., Underwriting Consultant

“Symetra is truly a great place to work. The positive work climate, strong sense of team, and the resources available make it feel like one cohesive family. What stands out most to me is the company’s deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—it’s not just a statement, it’s an active and ongoing priority that’s felt throughout the organization.” -Charlotte G., Sr. Underwriter - Consultant Stop Loss

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: $96,700 - $161,200 plus eligibility for annual bonus program  Who you are
  • At least 7-10 years of Individual Life Underwriting experience
  • Proven analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to manage large caseloads and provide quick turnaround times while maintaining Symetra’s mortality standards
  • Strong technical and financial underwriting skills
  • Service-oriented with commitment to meet deadlines, prioritize and handle multiple tasks in a demanding work environment
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Mastery of underwriting principals, practices, insurance medicine, financial underwriting, field operations, product offerings and life insurance contract law.
  • Strong negotiation skills.
  • College degree preferred, high school diploma 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.   Please review Symetra's Remote Network Minimum Requirements: As a remote-first organization with a cameras-on culture, reliable internet connectivity is important to how we connect, collaborate, and serve our customers. To support a positive experience for both employees and customers, Symetra has the following standards for employees' internet connection:
  • Minimum Internet Speed:100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, in alignment with the FCC's definition of "broadband."
  • Internet Type:Fiber, Cable (e.g., Comcast, Spectrum), or DSL.
  • Not Permissible:Satellite (e.g., Starlink), cellular broadband (hotspot or otherwise), any other wireless technology, or wired dial-up.
When applying to jobs at Symetra you'll be asked to test your internet speed and confirm that your internet connection meets or exceeds Symetra's standard as outlined above.   Identity Verification Symetra is committed to fair and secure hiring practices. For all roles, candidates will be required (after the initial phone screen) to be on video for all interviews. Symetra will take affirmative steps at key points in the process to verify that a candidate is not seeking employment fraudulently, e.g. through use of a false identity.   Failure to comply with verification procedures may result in:
  • Disqualification from the recruitment process
  • Withdrawal of a job offer
  • Termination of employment and other criminal and/or civil remedies, if fraud is discovered

Related jobs

See all Business Consultant jobs

Other jobs at Symetra