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 optimized. Ready to make a difference? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
The Senior Underwriting Consultant for Employer & Individual will analyze complex health benefit plan characteristics and assess risks related to the frequency and potential severity of client losses. This individual will apply advanced underwriting judgment, established criteria, and company policies to determine appropriate rating methodologies and support competitive, financially sound recommendations. The Senior Underwriting Consultant will enhance models used in the economic analysis of market alternatives; evaluate and recommend pricing options and plan design changes based on financial analysis, utilization patterns, experience results, and emerging trends; and prepare advanced financial modeling for reserve calculations, budget projections, renewals, requests for proposals, and other ongoing reviews that directly align with client strategies. This role operates with a high degree of independence, serves as a consultative resource for underwriting, account management, and leadership, and helps guide less experienced team members through complex underwriting issues. This role involves underwriting both Local Markets and National Accounts customers.
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:
- Primary focus will be on a complex ASO book of business, including cases requiring advanced financial analysis, judgment, and consultative support
- Lead product integration analysis to maximize company financials while balancing client affordability, competitiveness, risk, and long-term retention objectives
- Partner closely with underwriting leadership, account management, actuarial, product, finance, and other matrix partners to develop competitive financial responses and resolve non-standard requests
- Anticipate customer, consultant, and account team needs and proactively develop solutions that support customer strategy, affordability, and UnitedHealthcare financial objectives
- Serve as a senior technical resource on complex, critical, or highly visible underwriting issues, including renewals, requests for proposals, pricing exceptions, performance guarantees, and risk management considerations
- Solve complex problems, develop innovative solutions, and perform complex conceptual and financial analyses with minimal guidance
- Review work performed by others, provide coaching and recommendations for improvement, and support consistent application of underwriting standards across the team
- Forecast and plan resource requirements for assigned work, key deliverables, and peak renewal or proposal cycles
- Recommend and, when appropriate, authorize deviations from standard underwriting approaches within delegated authority and established governance
- Lead functional, segment, or cross-market projects that improve underwriting quality, operational efficiency, financial discipline, or customer outcomes
- Translate highly complex underwriting, financial, and product concepts into clear explanations and recommendations for a variety of audiences, including account teams and senior stakeholders
- Mentor, coach, and support other team members, including sharing subject matter expertise, training on tools and processes, and helping onboard or develop less experienced underwriters
- Identify and drive innovative approaches, process improvements, and best practices that improve team productivity, accuracy, and consistency
- Be sought out as an expert and trusted advisor; influence decisions and recommendations that may have broader market, segment, or cross-functional impact
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:
- 8+ years of experience in the healthcare industry underwriting and/or managing financials for a defined book of business for any variety of products: PPO, HMO, Stop Loss, Pharmacy, ASO, or Fully-Insured for large group customers
- 5+ years of experience with risk management, financial modeling, pricing analysis, renewal development, or related underwriting functions
- Experience working independently on less structured, complex issues, seeking guidance only on the most complex or sensitive matters
- Experience reviewing, coaching, or mentor the work of others serving as a resource for team members with less experience
- Experience understanding, calculating, and explaining revenue, expense, risk, margin, and profit drivers
- Experience supporting ASO renewals, requests for proposals, performance guarantees, stop loss, pharmacy, or other complex product integrations
- Experience presenting financial recommendations to account teams, consultants, customers, or senior stakeholders
- Demonstrated subject matter expertise in underwriting tools, processes, pricing models, reporting, or cross-functional initiatives
- Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, with the ability to explain difficult financial and underwriting concepts to varied audiences
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency with MS Office suite, including Excel-based financial modeling, Word, and PowerPoint
*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 $91,700 to $163,700 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
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
- 8+ years of experience in healthcare industry underwriting and/or managing financials for a defined book of business, including products such as PPO, HMO, Stop Loss, Pharmacy, ASO, or Fully-Insured plans for large group customers
- 5+ years of experience with risk management, financial modeling, pricing analysis, renewal development, or related underwriting functions
- Experience working independently on less structured, complex issues
- Experience reviewing, coaching, or mentoring the work of less experienced team members
- Experience understanding, calculating, and explaining revenue, expense, risk, margin, and profit drivers
- Experience supporting ASO renewals, requests for proposals, performance guarantees, stop loss, pharmacy, or other complex product integrations
- Experience presenting financial recommendations to account teams, consultants, customers, or senior stakeholders
- Subject matter expertise in underwriting tools, processes, pricing models, reporting, or cross-functional initiatives
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial and underwriting concepts to varied audiences
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel-based financial modeling, Word, and PowerPoint
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Official materials highlight copay and HSA medical plan choices with in‑network preventive care at 100%, prescription coverage, and low/no‑cost virtual visits, plus company HSA contributions. Dental preventive services are 100% in network, and mental health resources include an EAP and premium Calm access.
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Parental & Family Support — Programs include six weeks paid parental leave, up to two weeks paid caregiver leave, and Bright Horizons back‑up care with enhanced family supports. Adoption assistance up to $10,000 for full‑time employees reinforces family‑oriented benefits.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Financial benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Plan at a 10% discount, expanding access to equity ownership.
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.