Director of Underwriting, Employee Benefits National Accounts

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Overview:

The Director of Underwriting, Employee Benefits – National Accounts plays a key leadership role within The Hartford’s Employee Benefits organization, leading underwriting strategy and execution for employers with 5,000+ lives. In this role, the Director is accountable for driving profitable growth, disciplined risk management, and strong customer outcomes across the National Accounts portfolio.

Reporting to the AVP of Underwriting, this role leads and develops a team of experienced underwriting professionals, providing strategic direction and oversight across a complex book of large employer business. The Director partners closely with Sales leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to support market-competitive solutions while maintaining underwriting integrity and consistent decision-making.

Responsibilities:

Underwriting Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

• Lead underwriting strategy and governance for National Accounts, including oversight of new business, renewal execution, and in-force portfolio performance

• Ensure disciplined risk selection and pricing across Group Life, AD&D, STD/LTD, PFML/Statutory Disability, and fee based arrangements.

• Monitor portfolio performance to achieve National Account sales, profitability, and persistency objectives in partnership with Sales leadership

People Leadership & Culture

• Build, develop, and engage a high-performing team of experienced underwriting professionals

• Provide clear communication on business priorities, performance expectations, and change initiatives

• Model integrity, ethical decision-making, and accountability while fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture

• Establish leader standard work, including 1:1s, huddles, inventory reviews, mentoring, and performance calibration.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Market Leadership

• Partner with Sales, Actuarial, Product, Finance, Legal, and Operations to support customer solutions and underwriting outcomes

• Support go-to-market strategies and regional business priorities while maintaining underwriting discipline

• Maintain awareness of market trends and competitive dynamics to inform underwriting direction

Operational Excellence & Forward Thinking

• Champion continuous improvement in underwriting execution, service delivery, and talent utilization

• Encourage innovation and forward-thinking underwriting practices that strengthen long-term sustainability

• Support enterprise initiatives that enhance underwriting effectiveness and organizational capability

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of Group Employee Benefits underwriting experience, including significant exposure to National Accounts or complex large-case business

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing underwriting talent; strong senior individual contributors will also be considered

• Deep technical underwriting knowledge combined with strong business and financial acumen

• Proven ability to apply sound judgment, influence outcomes, and lead through complexity

• Excellent communication, decision-making, and collaboration skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools

• Willingness to travel as needed

This role can have a Hybrid or Remote work schedule.  Candidates who live near one of our office locations will have the expectation of working in an office 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday).  Candidates who do not live near an office will have a remote work schedule, with the expectation of coming into an office as business needs arise. 

Compensation

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of The Hartford’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition. The annualized base pay range for this role is:

Equal Opportunity Employer/Sex/Race/Color/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age