Underwriting Manager - Bethlehem, PA

Guardian Life is seeking a confident, independent Underwriting Manager to lead our high-performing team in Bethlehem, United States. This hybrid role combines analytical rigor with strategic leadership to drive smart, consistent risk decisions in life and disability insurance. Join Guardian Life, a leader in insurance careers, and advance your career in underwriting management.

Why Join Guardian Life?

At Guardian Life, you'll thrive in a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and personal well-being. Our commitment to inspiring well-being means you'll have access to skill-building programs, leadership development, and philanthropic opportunities. Surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards, you'll build communities and grow your career. Explore insurance jobs at Guardian Life and discover hybrid work flexibility with 3 days a week in our Bethlehem office. Guardian Life offers competitive underwriting manager salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a culture of innovation in risk management.

Role Description

As an Underwriting Manager, you'll guide a team of underwriters and pre-sale coordinators, establishing underwriting guidelines, workflows, and processes. Partner with Sales & Distribution to strengthen producer relationships, collaborate with Product, Actuarial, and Operations teams for client-focused solutions, and monitor KPIs to align decisions with our risk appetite. This role demands a strategic mindset to improve risk assessment, renewals efficiency, handle escalations for complex cases, and ensure compliance with insurance regulations.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of underwriters and pre-sale coordinators, developing underwriting guidelines, workflows, and processes to optimize performance.
• Partner closely with Sales & Distribution teams to support producer relationships and drive business growth.
• Collaborate with Product, Actuarial, and Operations to deliver innovative, client-focused insurance solutions.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as loss ratio, turnaround time, and close ratio, ensuring decisions align with Guardian's risk appetite.
• Drive improvements in execution and efficiency for risk assessment, new business, and renewals processes.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex, high-value cases and policy exceptions.
• Ensure full adherence to compliance standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices in life and disability underwriting.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, mentoring team members, and supporting innovation in underwriting strategies.

Required Skills & Qualifications

To succeed as an Underwriting Manager at Guardian Life, you bring:

• 5–7 years of insurance risk management experience, with proven expertise in life or disability underwriting.
• 3–4 years in a supervisory, management, or lead underwriting role.
• Strong knowledge of underwriting principles, risk methodologies, pricing strategies, and insurance regulations.
• Ability to assess, approve, or decline complex and high-value cases with analytical precision.
• Familiarity with underwriting software, data analysis tools, and KPI tracking (e.g., loss ratio, turnaround time, close ratio).
• Proven leadership skills, including mentoring, performance improvement, and policy development.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Strategic mindset to adjust guidelines, support innovation, and align with regulatory standards.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with Guarantee Issue Case-Level Underwriting for Individual Disability or Executive Benefit Life.

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and 5+ years of progressive experience in insurance underwriting and management considered. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Compensation Overview

Salary Range: $86,210 - $141,635 annually. This good faith estimate reflects base pay for Bethlehem, PA. Final salary based on education, experience, knowledge, and abilities. Eligible for annual, sales, or incentive compensation.

Benefits at Guardian Life

Guardian Life is committed to your well-being with contemporary, flexible benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match and retirement planning.
• Paid time off, family leave, and wellness programs.
• Professional development, tuition reimbursement, and leadership training.
• Hybrid work model with 3 days in-office (Bethlehem, PA).
• Philanthropic opportunities and employee resource groups.

Explore full benefits at www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits. Benefits for full-time employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants considered without regard to protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations available; contact MyHR@glic.com.

Apply now for this underwriting manager position at Guardian Life and elevate your insurance career!