Chief Underwriter

Feel Good About Doing Good

The Knights of Columbus is a tax-exempt Catholic fraternal benefit society that provides financial security to members and their families through our life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, investment and annuity products. Charity is at the core of our missions: our profits are donated to help those in need and to support our faith - $1.73B over the past ten years.

While we have many employees who are not Catholic, we follow the Church's teachings in our investment strategies and our employee benefits. As part of our religious mission, we support the pro-life cause by contributing to the March for Life and pregnancy resource centers, we oppose assisted suicide and euthanasia, we are evangelists for the Catholic faith, and we help Christians who are facing religious persecution in the Middle East.  We all work together to support our two million members as they volunteer to help others in their parishes and communities around the world.

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Overview
Develop and execute life insurance underwriting strategy for KofC's operations. Chief Underwriter is responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the underwriting team. The role will also recommend and implement changes to modernize platforms and risk assessment guidelines, enhance profitable growth and ensure risk assumptions are met. Core to the role is the ability to maintain strong relationships internally and externally (with distribution partners, reinsurers, and vendors.) Implement controls necessary to ensure mortality and morbidity results protect against fraud and anti-selection and adhere to the best cost model. Provides secondary underwriting reviews of high-profile and large-amount files. Takes the lead on large (multi-million dollar), complex cases. Coordinates intradepartmental and interdepartmental matters. Chief Underwriter will report directly to the Sr. Vice President of Operational Excellence. Core Responsibilities

• Provides strong leadership, development, vision and strategic direction to the underwriting function.
  
• Develops and implements procedures, practices, and processes to ensure organizational objectives such as operational excellence, exceptional customer service and appropriate business risk, mortality and morbidity objectives are understood and achieved.
  
• Drives efforts to modernize and transform procedures, controls and technology within underwriting to enhance sales growth, efficiency and customer experience.
  
• Provides direction and guidance on industry trends and best practices and shares Underwriting perspective on Division wide initiatives.
  
• Responsible for developing highly skilled professionals and for overall performance of Underwriting operations. In concert with Medical Director responsible for training underwriters.
  
• Performs second signature reviews on most complex cases. Along with Medical Director, performs audits of underwriter decisions as part of their performance evaluations and development.
  
• Establishes underwriting strategy and ensures consistent processes and standards are in place and adhered to by underwriters across all teams.
  
• Partners with reinsurers and product team to identify and develop underwriting niches and growth opportunities.
  
• Proactively identifies and determines impact and or action needed for upcoming regulatory requirements. Participates in internal/external audits and collaborates on antifraud and litigation compliance

Skills Qualifications
Required:

• Expert understanding of: all risk factors relating to mortality risk management (medical, financial, occupational, environmental, etc.; insurance principles
  
• Ability to balance distribution needs with mortality results; demonstrated strong risk management skills
  
• Ability to influence and persuade using compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment across the organization
  
• Ability to think strategically and create new and better ways for the underwriting department and organization to be successful
  
• Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward; combines analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment in decision quality
  
• Ability to prioritize, negotiate and work with a variety of external and internal stakeholders; ability to interface with all levels of management
  
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills; creates a climate where people are motivated to their best to help the organization achieve its objectives
  
• Builds strong teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals
  
• Develops and delivers communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences
  
• Team development
  
• KPI/Goal setting and performance management
  
• Build foundation of trust and open communication
  
• Effectively lead team through change

Education
Required:

• Bachelor's degree required
  
• Minimum of years of experience, with advanced underwriting acumen in the insurance industry required
  
• Holds FALU, FLMI and/or CLU industry designation

Compensation

The wage range for this role takes into account a broad array of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to: skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.  The range below applies as long as the work is performed in Connecticut; the Knights of Columbus reserves the right to adjust the wage range if the position is performed in another location.  At the Knights of Columbus, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $126,100 - $220,500.

Authorization to work in the United States is required.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Physical Demands
Must be able to remain in a stationary position for a majority of the workday.

KofC Cares

Our mission is focused on family and faith, and we support our employees in seeking a balanced life.

Employee benefits include:

Time Away: 13 paid holidays per year in addition to vacation and paid sick leave, and flexible workweek schedules.

Professional Development: Certifications, designation, and tuition reimbursement.

Retirement Benefits: 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching company contributions, and cash balance retirement plans fully funded by the company.

Health and Wellness:

• Short-term disability and term life insurance fully paid for by the company;
• Up to 12 weeks of childbirth leave under STD policy.
• One week of fully paid parental leave for all new parents, including adoptive and foster parents.
• A variety of health insurance options, including premium-level family coverage and a pre-tax Health Savings Account with employer contributions. The Order's health plans do not cover abortion, sterilization, or contraception, and the Order has helped advocate for other employers who do not want to provide coverage.
• Long-term disability insurance;
• Dental insurance;
• Vision insurance;
• Health club membership reimbursement;
• Employee Assistance Program

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