Senior Underwriter
Delta Dental, Oakland, CA, United States
Senior Underwriter
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Underwriter with advanced underwriting expertise and a strong analytical mindset. This role is ideal for someone experienced in evaluating larger, moderately complex group cases and who thrives working independently while collaborating cross-functionally. As a Senior Underwriter, you will play a key role in developing financially sound pricing strategies, balancing risk with market competitiveness, and supporting business growth. You'll also serve as a mentor to junior team members and a trusted partner to Sales, helping communicate underwriting strategies to brokers and clients. This position offers flexibility as either remote or hybrid, depending on your location. Team members within 50 miles or approximately one hour of an office will follow a hybrid model with one in-office day per month. Responsibilities
Perform comprehensive risk assessments and experience analyses for new business, renewals, and benefit changes Develop and recommend appropriate pricing strategies for moderately complex and large group cases Review and validate rate determinations completed by Associate Underwriters and Underwriters Prepare and present underwriting recommendations to internal stakeholders, brokers, and clients Partner closely with Sales to explain pricing methodologies and support client presentations Manage multiple cases simultaneously with a typical turnaround of 34 days depending on complexity Mentor and support junior underwriting staff, including onboarding and skill development Participate in peer reviews, team projects, and testing of new tools or processes Collaborate with cross-functional teams including QA, management, and actuarial on complex cases Qualifications
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience 4+ years of professional experience Preferred Experience: 5+ years of underwriting experience, ideally within dental or healthcare insurance Experience handling group underwriting (new business, renewals, re-rates) Prior mentorship or leadership experience within a team environment Core Skills & Competencies: Strong underwriting acumen with the ability to independently assess complex risk High attention to detail with a focus on accuracy, quality, and meeting deadlines Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving capabilities Effective communicator, able to clearly explain underwriting decisions to non-technical audiences Comfortable balancing independent work with cross-functional collaboration Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, queue-based workflow environment Technical Skills: Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (formulas, complex workbooks, data analysis) Experience with workflow systems such as Salesforce, Pega, etc. preferred Familiarity with Excel macros or VBA is a plus Knowledge of dental terminology and CDT codes is preferred Base Pay Information:
The national base pay range at the end is a good-faith estimate of what Delta Dental may pay for new hires. Actual pay may vary based on Delta Dental's assessment of the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), related experience, education, certifications, and ability to meet required minimum job qualifications. Other factors impacting pay include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity. Pay Grade 19. $63,700 - $133,500 Additional Information
Behind the smile! We are dedicated to safeguarding the health and financial stability of our employees and their loved ones. This commitment extends beyond the workplace to foster personal growth and holistic wellbeing. Our life-changing rewards package includes: Competitive base and incentive pay 401(k) with robust matching and non-matching contributions Rich medical & pharmacy benefits 100% employer-paid dental and vision benefits Holistic wellbeing program with deep financial incentives Generous paid time off plus 12 paid holidays and your birthday off Culture of growth and learning: career development; tuition reimbursement; recognition program Family support: adoption assistance, fertility treatment, child, elder & pet care assistance Social responsibility and volunteer opportunities Employee discount program About the Team
At Delta Dental, we're behind millions of smiles and counting. For over 68 years, we've served our communities by increasing access to affordable, quality care but that commitment to care extends beyond the people we serve, to the dedicated employees who make those smiles genuine. We've come this far by building fair programs that offer opportunities for advancement, create meaningful connections and improve the lives of our employees and their families. Because we know that when we take exceptional care of each other, we can make a positive impact for all. We champion an inspirational workplace through our commitment to trust, service, excellence and innovation. Joining us means working for a company that offers stability and balance, opportunities for leadership at all levels, and a work environment focused on teamwork and camaraderie.
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Underwriter with advanced underwriting expertise and a strong analytical mindset. This role is ideal for someone experienced in evaluating larger, moderately complex group cases and who thrives working independently while collaborating cross-functionally. As a Senior Underwriter, you will play a key role in developing financially sound pricing strategies, balancing risk with market competitiveness, and supporting business growth. You'll also serve as a mentor to junior team members and a trusted partner to Sales, helping communicate underwriting strategies to brokers and clients. This position offers flexibility as either remote or hybrid, depending on your location. Team members within 50 miles or approximately one hour of an office will follow a hybrid model with one in-office day per month. Responsibilities
Perform comprehensive risk assessments and experience analyses for new business, renewals, and benefit changes Develop and recommend appropriate pricing strategies for moderately complex and large group cases Review and validate rate determinations completed by Associate Underwriters and Underwriters Prepare and present underwriting recommendations to internal stakeholders, brokers, and clients Partner closely with Sales to explain pricing methodologies and support client presentations Manage multiple cases simultaneously with a typical turnaround of 34 days depending on complexity Mentor and support junior underwriting staff, including onboarding and skill development Participate in peer reviews, team projects, and testing of new tools or processes Collaborate with cross-functional teams including QA, management, and actuarial on complex cases Qualifications
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience 4+ years of professional experience Preferred Experience: 5+ years of underwriting experience, ideally within dental or healthcare insurance Experience handling group underwriting (new business, renewals, re-rates) Prior mentorship or leadership experience within a team environment Core Skills & Competencies: Strong underwriting acumen with the ability to independently assess complex risk High attention to detail with a focus on accuracy, quality, and meeting deadlines Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving capabilities Effective communicator, able to clearly explain underwriting decisions to non-technical audiences Comfortable balancing independent work with cross-functional collaboration Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, queue-based workflow environment Technical Skills: Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (formulas, complex workbooks, data analysis) Experience with workflow systems such as Salesforce, Pega, etc. preferred Familiarity with Excel macros or VBA is a plus Knowledge of dental terminology and CDT codes is preferred Base Pay Information:
The national base pay range at the end is a good-faith estimate of what Delta Dental may pay for new hires. Actual pay may vary based on Delta Dental's assessment of the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), related experience, education, certifications, and ability to meet required minimum job qualifications. Other factors impacting pay include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity. Pay Grade 19. $63,700 - $133,500 Additional Information
Behind the smile! We are dedicated to safeguarding the health and financial stability of our employees and their loved ones. This commitment extends beyond the workplace to foster personal growth and holistic wellbeing. Our life-changing rewards package includes: Competitive base and incentive pay 401(k) with robust matching and non-matching contributions Rich medical & pharmacy benefits 100% employer-paid dental and vision benefits Holistic wellbeing program with deep financial incentives Generous paid time off plus 12 paid holidays and your birthday off Culture of growth and learning: career development; tuition reimbursement; recognition program Family support: adoption assistance, fertility treatment, child, elder & pet care assistance Social responsibility and volunteer opportunities Employee discount program About the Team
At Delta Dental, we're behind millions of smiles and counting. For over 68 years, we've served our communities by increasing access to affordable, quality care but that commitment to care extends beyond the people we serve, to the dedicated employees who make those smiles genuine. We've come this far by building fair programs that offer opportunities for advancement, create meaningful connections and improve the lives of our employees and their families. Because we know that when we take exceptional care of each other, we can make a positive impact for all. We champion an inspirational workplace through our commitment to trust, service, excellence and innovation. Joining us means working for a company that offers stability and balance, opportunities for leadership at all levels, and a work environment focused on teamwork and camaraderie.