Underwriting Trainee

Description and Requirements
Job Location: Aurora, IL. Alternate Job Location: Kansas City, MO (Hybrid - 2 days in office; days are determined by the business)
Job Details: Full-time, salaried training program leading to a full-time position. The Underwriting Academy Program is an early talent opportunity open to recent college graduates with limited work experience in related field. The program is designed to train and transition early talent into an Underwriter position, providing underwriting support for MetLife's new and existing employer group business. Positions are available in the 2 office hubs: Aurora, IL and Kansas City, MO.
Role Value Proposition:
As an Underwriting Trainee, you will complete a 3-month training program, which includes a combination of structured and on-the-job learning with a focus on building an understanding of the employee benefits industry, MetLife's group benefits portfolio, group product risk assessment, underwriting systems, and product pricing. The trainee will graduate with a level of credibility and competency to successfully support pricing business in regional group benefits.
An academy trainee's journey is comprised of personalized training based on career track, ample networking opportunities, professional development sessions, and social philanthropic activities.
The combination of relevant training, meaningful work, skilled coaching & mentoring, along with a supportive MetLife work culture that aligns to the needs of the business, provides a strong initial framework designed to drive early-in-career success. Upon graduation from the academy, you will transition to a full-time Underwriter supporting Regional Group Benefits.
Our Regional & Small Business Solutions team is responsible for strategy, sales, underwriting, account management and overall profitability. The Underwriter will provide group underwriting services for new business and renewals opportunities for group ancillary (non-medical) insurance for customers generally having 2-5,000 eligible employees. The primary responsibilities of the underwriter include the following: risk evaluation, determination of appropriate plan design, and the determination of the rate by product line.
Key Responsibilities as an Underwriting Trainee:

• Complete and participate in all required MetLife learning and training - including successful completion of the Underwriting Academy Program
• Work effectively with a seasoned underwriting professional who serves as a mentor in educating the trainee to the various products, processes, systems, and strategies used by MetLife. This will involve meetings with the mentor and his/her sales partners
• Develop an understanding of MetLife's Group Benefits products, processes, systems, and strategies
• Build upon competencies - including critical thinking and analysis, attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication
• Participate in audits and strategic planning process

Key Responsibilities as an Underwriter:

• Analyze risk by evaluating received customer information including demographics and contractual plan design to ensure meeting both legal and financial requirements for MetLife
• Establish required insurance premium by running manual rate calculations and/or preparing experience-rated quotes; partners with Sales team and other internal partners to ensure the final proposal will meet the needs of the group customer
• Engages in active negotiation with sales team to establish acceptable product and premium for new customers including plan changes, produces experience analysis, and responds to inquiries from the Sales team, broker, customer, and other partners
• Works proactively and collaboratively with internal and external partners to make sound decisions that will continue to build MetLife's book of group insurance business
• Perform other related duties as assigned or required

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:
Required:

• Bachelor's degree
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, listening)
• Excellent analytical skills and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to adapt to change
• Strong customer service skills
• High level of organizational skill and the ability to prioritize and multi-task
• Team player: effectively works to accomplish both individual and team goals
• Functional knowledge of Microsoft products such as Excel and Word

Preferred:

• 1+years of underwriting experience or related course work
• Working knowledge of insurance and underwriting
• College degree in Math, Business, Finance, or the Financial Services industry

Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the 2024 "World's Most Admired Companies" as well as the 2024 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For ®, MetLife , through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by empathy, we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
Equal Employment Opportunity/Disability/Veterans
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
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