Rating & Quoting Associate II

Please note: This position has a starting pay rate of $20.00 per hour with a 3% annual bonus target.

Position Summary

Is the opportunity to join a culture where “We Do the Right Thing,” and “We Courageously Shape Our Future Together” important to you? If so, Guardian is seeking a talented and motivated individual to join our team as a Rating & Quoting Associate II.

As part of the Underwriting family of roles and serving as the first point of contact for Brokers when a Request for Proposal is received, the Rating & Quoting Associate leverages industry and local market knowledge to lead the Group Sales staff, brokers and plan holders through a streamlined and consistent process of creating and distributing competitive rates/quotes relative to in-force rates and location market conditions. This position is responsible for managing the RFPs process including processing, distributing, and responding to inquiries regarding formal Proposals from brokers, Sales, and Underwriting.

In this role you will independently, or in collaboration with Sales Reps, meet with Underwriting to negotiate rates, exceptions and approvals; discuss RFP, plan design options, and multi-line options with Producers and their assistances; build strong relationships with Underwriting, Brokers and their staff, to ensure that customer needs are met while maintaining profitability and acceptable risk.

Additionally, you will apply Guardian and competitor information to rate, re-rate, quote, and re-quote competitive proposals, based upon specifications in RFP, Guidelines, Sales and Underwriting collaboration and discussions/negotiations with all relevant parties. Make recommendations regarding benefit/rate options based on analysis of RFP and assessment of customers busying triggers through consultative interactions with Sales Reps and Brokers. Perform steps to process sold cases and transfer to the Onboarding Department.

Generate all manual rates for RFPs through the life cycle of the opportunity. This includes initial rating and re-rating necessary for the RGO to release initial quotes or re-quotes.

This will be accomplished through

• Evaluating all initial RFPs

• Collaborating with sales to negotiate rates, exceptions, and approvals

• Discussing RFP, plan options and rates with brokers

• Developing, in partnership with sales and underwriting a quote that maintains profitability and acceptable risk.

• Creating and delivering all the necessary quotes to position Guardian in a positive way in the market

• Providing service to brokers and their assistance related to the quoting process.

• Ensuring accuracy and completeness of all quoted materials

• Thoroughly understands the Rating and Quoting processes, workflows and technical requirements needed to rate and quote new business or new lines of coverage. Must be attuned to possible downstream impact to other customer service delivery areas.

• Understanding details plan provides and limitations and provides alternative options that closely meet what a client’s prior plan entail. Rating & Quoting Associates will review requests and proactively assessment potential discrepancies and coordinate solutions with the sales and underwriting team.

• Answering questions, troubleshoots, and resolves potential problems, including technical and workflow issues.

• Demonstrating strong product/business knowledge, critical thinking, negotiation/soft skills, and the ability to perform tasks using technology and systems utilized within Guardian (Salesforce CPS, Simon, Excel, SharePoint, etc.).

You have

• AA or AS degree required, BA / BS preferred.

• 1 to 3 years Group Insurance experience, preferably in a fast-paced operational area such as claims, call center, or within the sales support organization with experience dealing with sales reps, customers, etc.

• Excellent communication and listening skills with ability facilitate discussions among brokers, sales, underwriting and other key stakeholders.

• Robust customer service soft skills

• Ability to handle and manage multiple quotes and opportunities and within a tight timeframe.

• Strong consultative, negotiation, persuasion and influencing skills with a sales orientation.

• Intermediate Math / Analytical skills.

• Ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships at all levels.

• Planning and Organization skills and ability to multi-task while working independently.

• Personal accountability/goal oriented:  meets processing goals, etc.

• Solid understanding of group insurance industry, company operations and, insurance terminology

• Awareness of underwriting principles and practices.

• Group Insurance product knowledge preferred (e.g., Dental, Vision, LTD, STD and Life).

• Technology:  PC, Microsoft Office Suite, Siebel Toolkit, CPS, CPS Census Validator Tool, Mainframe applications.

Leadership Behaviors

• Builds collaborative relationships that are mutually respectful.

• Expresses oneself in an open and honest manner.

• Considers the long-term outcomes and the needs of partners/clients when making decisions.

• Ability to navigate and perform in fast-paced and changing environment.

Reporting Relationships

This position reports to the Supervisor, Rating and Quoting who, in turn, reports to the Manager, Rating and Quoting.

Location 

• Hybrid role - 2 days in office, 3 days WFH in the Bethlehem, PA or Pittsfield, MA office.  This role can be remote if candidate experience is aligned.  

• Travel – 0-10%

Rating & Quoting Associate II

Salary Range$35,710.00 - $53,560.00

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 [email protected].

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