At UnitedHealthcare, we're simplifying the health care experience, creating healthier communities and removing barriers to quality care. The work you do here impacts the lives of millions of people for the better. Come build the health care system of tomorrow, making it more responsive, affordable and equitable. Ready to make a difference? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
The Large Group Senior Underwriter for Employer & Individual plays a critical role in evaluating risk, developing competitive pricing strategies, and supporting profitable growth within the employer-sponsored health benefits market. This position analyzes large group new business and renewal opportunities, including claims experience, enrollment, demographics, plan design, industry trends, geographic considerations, and other key risk factors to determine appropriate pricing and financial recommendations. The role requires the ability to interpret complex financial and utilization data, apply sound underwriting judgment, and translate findings into clear recommendations that support both customer objectives and organizational performance goals.
In addition to case-level analysis, the Senior Underwriter is expected to contribute to broader market strategy by identifying emerging risk patterns, supporting pricing consistency, and collaborating with cross-functional partners to address business challenges. Success in this role depends on strong technical expertise, professional communication, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Analyze large group new business and renewal opportunities by reviewing claims experience, enrollment, demographics, plan design, industry, geographic factors, utilization patterns, and other relevant risk indicators
- Develop competitive and financially sound pricing recommendations using established underwriting guidelines, rating tools, actuarial assumptions, approved authority levels, and market-specific considerations
- Evaluate benefit changes, funding arrangements, contractual terms, guarantees, contribution strategies, and other plan variables to assess financial impact and support informed decision-making
- Partner with Sales, Account Management, Actuarial, Finance, Product, and Market leadership to explain pricing results, identify risk considerations, and recommend strategies that balance competitiveness, customer needs, and profitability
- Prepare and support request for proposal responses, renewal exhibits, rate actions, benefit alternatives, underwriting narratives, and customer-facing explanations as needed
- Negotiate and communicate pricing, fees, assumptions, financial terms, and risk considerations with internal partners while maintaining alignment with underwriting policy, authority limits, and business objectives
- Monitor case activity, renewal timelines, and deliverables to ensure accurate and timely completion of underwriting work in support of service expectations and market commitments
- Serve as a technical subject matter expert and mentor by sharing underwriting knowledge, supporting process improvements, answering complex case questions, and helping promote consistency across the underwriting team
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications:
- 2+ years of underwriting experience, preferably with exposure to employer group pricing, renewal analysis, or financial risk evaluation
- Experience working with numerical data, applying analytical reasoning, and making recommendations based on established guidelines and business context
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, with the ability to organize data, prepare analysis, and communicate results clearly
Preferred Qualifications:
- 2+ years of financial underwriting experience in the healthcare industry, particularly with large group, key account, or complex employer-sponsored business
- Proven solid organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and high-volume workloads while maintaining accuracy
- Proven high attention to detail, commitment to quality, and ability to identify inconsistencies, data concerns, or risk factors that may impact pricing decisions
- Proven effective negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to explain technical underwriting concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Proven ability to work independently while also contributing to a collaborative team environment focused on continuous improvement and business partnership
*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $60,200 - $107,400 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
Skills Required
- 2+ years of underwriting experience, preferably with employer group pricing, renewal analysis, or financial risk evaluation
- Experience working with numerical data, applying analytical reasoning, and making recommendations based on guidelines and business context
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment
- 2+ years of financial underwriting experience in the healthcare industry, particularly large group or complex employer-sponsored business
- Proven organizational skills to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and high-volume workloads
- High attention to detail and ability to identify inconsistencies or data concerns impacting pricing decisions
- Effective negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills to explain technical underwriting concepts
- Ability to work independently and contribute to a collaborative team focused on continuous improvement
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO accrues each pay period with eight paid U.S. holidays plus a floating holiday, and generous time away is consistently emphasized. This breadth supports planned and unplanned time off beyond standard vacation days.
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Parental & Family Support — Six weeks of paid parental leave, up to two weeks of paid caregiver leave, Bright Horizons back‑up care, and adoption assistance signal strong family-oriented support. EAP access with counseling sessions further extends help to employees and their households.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Company‑paid short‑ and long‑term disability, Calm app membership, tuition reimbursement, commuter and FSA accounts, and broad employee discounts expand everyday wellbeing resources. Free or low‑cost virtual visits complement these lifestyle supports.
Optum Insights
What We Do
Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. At Optum, we support your well-being with an understanding team, extensive benefits and rewarding opportunities. By joining us, you’ll have the resources to drive system transformation while we help you take care of your future. We recognize the power of connection to drive change, improve efficiency and make a difference in health care. Join a team where your skills and ideas can make an impact and where collaboration is key to creating technology that produces healthier outcomes.
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Optum Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Optum has three workplace models that balance the needs of the business and the responsibilities of each role. These models, core on‑site (5 days/week), hybrid (4 days/week) and telecommute or fully remote, vary by country, role and location.