The Associate Individual Disability Underwriter is responsible for exercising their discretion & using professional judgment in decision making of individual disability cases up to $7500 of monthly indemnity on new applications. They will use their training and experience to determine insurability, premium classification related to in-force applications, and financial/occupational underwriting for option exercises. The Associate Underwriter is also accountable for managing assigned work, developing agency relationships, and ensuring customer satisfaction at the highest level.

You will collaborate with adjacent Underwriters as well as other departments, including Individual Disability Service & Administration, for the benefit of the facilitation of the entire underwriting and administrative process. The position requires the individual to operate in a cross-functional team environment.

You are

A self-starter who is motivated by collaboration and providing excellent customer service. You have strong relationship management skills.

You have

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

The ability to view multiple requirements and holistically determine risk.

Basic medical knowledge (i.e., Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Conditions) preferred.

General computer proficiency required.

Excellent analytical skills; written and oral communication skills and negotiation skills.

Outstanding decision-making skills and organizational and time management skills.

You will

Recognize and acquire requirements vital in evaluating risks, consistently using the global approach (a “broadened view” of the entire case to forecast all needs and requirements at onset) to underwriting.

Evaluate medical, financial, and non-medical information, as developed, to determine the risk classification according to company guidelines.

Review prior underwriting files and recognize the impact they have on current underwriting.

Communicate with the field force and home office personnel for the purpose of acquiring necessary information, solving problems, and conveying decisions in a polite, confident, and professional manner.

Consult with Medical Director and Mentors and/or senior underwriting staff for the purpose of resolving complex medical and non-medical histories.

Interpret underwriting policy and implement established guidelines, department procedures, and compliance directives.

Explain Guardian product information, risk classification, and underwriting action to peers and field force.

Collaborate with peer underwriting staff, support personnel, and adjacent departments to facilitate the entire selection, issue, and administrative process.

Negotiate appeals of underwriting actions with general agents, agents, and agency personnel

Evaluate risk involved in reinstatements, and other policy change requests as the need arises.

Review, interpret and record Medical Information Bureau codes in accordance with established MIB guidelines.

Communicate actions with our proposed policyholders and field partners.

Participate in on-going training and development offerings to enhance customer service and underwriting, in support of a high-performance culture.

Location /Travel

Hybrid role - 2 days in the office, 3 days WFH in the Pittsfield, MA office.

Occasional 0-10% Travel

Reporting Relationship

This role reports to Head of Individual Disability Underwriting

Salary Range$47,230.00 - $70,840.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals.  Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues.

Health Care

Choice of [high deductible/copay] medical plans* with prescription drugs, including coverage for fertility and transgender inclusive benefits

Dental plan

Vision plan

Health care accounts – flexible spending, health reimbursement, and health savings accounts

Critical illness insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Company-paid Life and Disability insurance plus voluntary supplemental coverage

Accident insurance

Retirement and Financial

401(k) retirement plan with a company match, plus an annual age/service-based Company contribution and an annual profit-sharing contribution, if applicable

Complimentary 1:1 financial guidance with a licensed Fidelity representative

Time Off and Remote Work

Flexible work arrangements (part in-person/part remote)

Unlimited paid time off for most roles plus time off for volunteering, jury duty, voting, and bereavement

Personal holidays for colleagues to use in recognition of religious, cultural, or civic days

Paid parental leave and paid family and medical leave policies

Emotional Well-being and Work-Life

Emotional well-being, mental health, and work/life resources powered by Spring Health

Wellness programs, including fitness program and equipment reimbursement

Child, adult, and elder back-up care support through Bright Horizons

Adoption assistance

College planning

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan assistance

Commuter benefits in select metropolitan areas

Equity & Inclusion

Opportunities to build inclusive and meaningful connections through involvement in colleague-led affinity groups:

Employee Resource Groups:

Colleague Connection Committees

Community Involvement Committees

A culture that encourages colleagues to bring their authentic selves to work

Voluntary self-ID

Pronunciation and phonetic spelling of names

Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact applicant_accommodation@glic.com.

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.