• Report to Chief Underwriter
• Focus on UDP training process and materials, working closely with the UDP team manager related to training schedule
• Underwriter guideline maintenance in Knowledge Advance and coordination of guidelines with reinsurance manuals
• Coordination of continuing education (CE) classes, both content and dates
• This role is a compensation grade G2.

Job Description Summary

JOB SUMMARY: Analyze, select and classify applications for Life insurance of a more complex nature in accordance with established underwriting policies, practices and standards. Administers Life selection standards according to underwriting practices and procedures in order to achieve satisfactory mortality experience and acceptable administrative results. Demonstrates self-directed leadership role on special projects and departmental committees. Assumes informal leadership role within team by identifying problems and potential solutions within the team.

Job Description

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to Team Manager

CORE JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Accepts, processes and underwrites on a medical or non-medical basis more complex applications for life insurance within authorized limits of up to unlimited “handling limits” on applications currently applied for and “approval limits” up to $10,000,000 for all ratings.  Protects the confidentiality of all underwriting papers.

2. Maintains knowledge of various underwriting materials, manuals, rules, regulations, reference guides, procedures and practices pertaining to the underwriting of life insurance.

3. Reviews and rates requests for reinstatements, reissues, rate reductions and increases in coverage.  Determines the need for and authorizes the ordering of medical examinations, attending physician reports, inspection reports and other pertinent information as deemed necessary.

4. Consults with other underwriters on the team, and accepts referred cases when designated.  Suggests innovative solutions, motivates team performance and facilitates open communication to achieve desired results.

5. Evaluates, appraises and quantifies data derived from corporate financial statements, personal financial statements, loan agreements, buy-sell agreements, etc., and to establish insurable interest in keeping with the principle of indemnification and assists in training other team members in this area.

6. Negotiates and administers both automatic and facultative reinsurance within the contractual terms and conditions of the Company’s various reinsurance treaties, and product and market practices.

7. Visits assigned operating regions in order to influence agency operations and gain a greater understanding of their needs and expectations.  Develops and conducts training based on this feedback.

8. Assists the Life Underwriting Technical Expert in reviewing contestable life claims and provides underwriting decisions.  Recommends rescission actions and initiates reformation actions.  Serves as expert witness on behalf of the Company in life claims trials and deposition.

9. Reviews complaints submitted to state insurance departments and/or the Office of Customer Relations.  Prepares and communicates responses to these complaints on behalf of the company.  Assists less experienced Underwriters in drafting responses to complaints.

10. Authorizes disbursement of funds for application and policy refunds, and for medical fees for services requested as evidence of insurability.

11. Interprets electrocardiogram tracings received as evidence for life insurance applications.  Consults with Medical Director on an as-needed basis for cases where physician input is required.

12. Reinforces the sales force objectives by focusing efforts specifically in the area of CLC candidates, sales management and elevating the profile of the company.

13. Performs other duties as assigned.
 

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education:  Undergraduate studies in insurance, risk management, finance, biologic sciences, or business management. 

License/Certification/Designation:  Participation in, or attainment of, professional/technical studies or designation such as the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Fellow of Life Management Institute (FLMI).  Obtainment of AALU designation or commiserate technical experience.

Experience:  Ten years of life insurance underwriting, preferably including experience as a Technical Expert-Life Underwriting.

Knowledge:  Extensive knowledge of life underwriting principles and practices, including basic contract law. In-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, medical and non-medical risks as they relate to life insurance. Interpretation of attending physicians reports, medical examinations, and medical test results. In-depth understanding of financial underwriting as it pertains to life insurance. Knowledge of processing and information systems which support underwriting and new business submission. Knowledge of underwriting designs and project management. Knowledge of managing and interpreting underwriting results.

Skills/Competencies:  Oral and written articulateness, characterized by clarity, logic, and a willingness to inquire and actively listen.  Well developed platform skills, characterized by effective communication in a variety of modes, media, and situations. Ability to deal with ambiguity in a flexible and responsive manner. Maintains comfort with uncertainty, risk, and challenge. Ability to make difficult decisions and suggest alternative solutions. Consistently draws upon appropriate perspectives and resources. Ability to negotiate skillfully in difficult situations, with both internal and external groups.Possesses a proactive orientation, characterized by clear vision. Anticipates likely developments and implications, and informs, motivates, and can document breakthrough strategies, as they relate to underwriting issues.

Values:  Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values and Guiding Behaviors.

Staffing Exceptions to the above Minimum Job Requirements must be approved by the: hiring manager’s leader and HRBP.

JOB CONDITIONS:

Overtime Eligibility:  Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Travel to agency states as needed.

ADA:  The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job.  Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties. 

Job Evaluation Activity:  10/2014