Director Underwriting

Join our team and do meaningful work that improves people’s lives. Our purpose—making healthcare work better—drives real change, and our employees are empowered to grow, innovate, and lead with purpose. Learn more about how Premera supports members, customers, and communities on our Healthsource blog.

About the role

As the Director of Underwriting, you will lead a talented team dedicated to delivering high-quality work and strategic support through advanced underwriting techniques. This role focuses on creative, financially sound, and sustainable growth strategies.

• Strategize with Fortune 10 to Fortune 500 clients to differentiate their benefits offerings and ensure underwriting supports their strategies sustainably.
• Partner strategically with actuaries and our pharmacy division to develop in-house formularies, pricing, and product designs aligned with our mission of cost-effective healthcare.
• Provide underwriting oversight for the unique Alaska market, collaborating with providers, hospitals, brokers, employer groups, unions, public entities, and native corporations.
• Oversee stop-loss renewals for self-insured groups in this complex market.

Responsibilities

Underwriting and Pricing Activities

• Provide strategic vision to sustain long-term policies and procedures that align with organizational goals.
• Champion and partner with clients by supporting Sales and Account Management teams in presentations, negotiations, and sales of renewals and proposals.
• Use systems-based solutions to address critical business threats and opportunities.

Data Systems and Technology

• Develop and maintain state-of-the-art pricing data systems for timely and accurate underwriting and strategic decisions.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of sophisticated underwriting models that set industry standards.
• Leverage technology to drive practical, innovative solutions.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Mentor and inspire an engaged underwriting team in a company that values growth and development.
• Build a high-quality, experienced, and energetic team by recruiting, hiring, and training top talent.
• Foster open and collaborative relationships across departments to drive success.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Mathematics, or a related field, or 4 years of relevant work experience.
• Eight years of group medical underwriting or health insurance consulting experience, including 5 years of team management. (Required)

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field (preferred).
• CEBS designation (preferred).
• Demonstrated track record in underwriting leadership for complex, medium to large businesses.
• Substantial and diverse knowledge of the health insurance industry and group underwriting within an insurance carrier setting.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills, with a focus on "win-win" solutions.

Preferred location is Western Washington, but we are open to telecommuters in the PST and MST zones.

Benefits

Our comprehensive total rewards package supports your health, well-being, and growth with a broad array of benefits:

• Medical, vision, and dental coverage with low employee premiums.
• Voluntary benefits, including pet insurance.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement programs, including a 401K employer match and a pension plan vested after 3 years.
• Wellness incentives, including mental well-being resources, counseling services, stress management, and mindfulness programs.
• Generous paid time off.
• Tuition assistance for undergraduate and graduate degrees.
• Employee recognition program for anniversaries and team accomplishments.

For Hybrid Employees

• Flexible on-campus model with access to resources, networking, and team engagement.
• Commuter perks to reduce environmental impact and costs.
• Free on-site parking.
• Subsidized on-campus cafes for affordable lunches and colleague connections.
• On-site activities, including health and wellness events, coffee connects, and disaster preparedness fairs.
• Complementary fitness and well-being center with in-person and virtual workouts and nutritional counseling.
• Recreational options like shuffleboard and ping pong for brain breaks.

Pay

The salary for this role ranges from $157,900 to $315,900, depending on geographic location, market conditions, skills, and experience. We target up to and around the midpoint of this range and are happy to discuss compensation further during the interview process.