Manager, underwriting

Optum 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.
The Underwriting Manager (GL28) leads underwriting capability and performance across the Ireland team, with a focus on coaching, delivery excellence, and operational effectiveness.
Operating within a co‑management model, this role partners closely with US underwriting leadership to ensure alignment on pricing strategy, risk approach, and underwriting standards, while driving team effectiveness, consistency, and scalability of delivery.
The role serves as a key bridge between US strategy and Ireland execution, ensuring resources are optimized and underwriting output meets quality, timeliness, and business expectations, while strengthening team capability, productivity, and disciplined use of underwriting authority. This position also supports achievement of financial and membership goals through effective oversight, coaching, and prioritization.
Careers with Optum offer flexible work arrangements and individuals who live and work in the Republic of Ireland will have the opportunity to split their monthly work hours between our Letterkenny office and telecommuting from a home‑based office in a hybrid work model.
Primary Responsibilities:
Team Leadership & Development

Lead, coach, and develop a team of underwriters across multiple products
Provide ongoing guidance on underwriting fundamentals, judgment, and decision quality
Ensure appropriate application of underwriting authority levels to support financial and membership goals
Identify skill gaps and implement targeted development plans that strengthen individual capability and overall team productivity
Drive a culture of accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement

Co‑Management & Cross‑Region Alignment

Partner with US underwriting leadership to ensure alignment on pricing strategy and risk tolerance & underwriting guidelines and decision frameworks
Provide visibility into Ireland team performance, risks, and capacity
Serve as a key escalation and coordination point for Ireland underwriting delivery, as appropriate within delegated authority

Resource & Delivery Management

Monitor underwriting workflows and team capacity to help ensure appropriate resource allocation; guide prioritization and recommend adjustments to optimize delivery and performance
Ensure effective alignment of skillsets to case complexity and business priorities
Monitor team productivity, capacity, and turnaround times to support service expectations and business needs

Quality Oversight & Continuous Improvement

Monitor underwriting output to identify trends in accuracy, consistency, and performance
Address gaps through coaching, standardization, and process improvements
Drive enhancements to underwriting practices, tools, and documentation

Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborate with US and local stakeholders, including underwriting, sales, account management, and health plan leadership teams
Communicate clearly on performance, priorities, and improvement initiatives
Build solid relationships that support trust, transparency, and business outcomes

Selective Technical Oversight

Provide guidance on complex or non-standard cases, as needed
Support escalations and reinforce underwriting standards
Serve as a technical resource to the team

You will 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 providing development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications:

Proven experience in health insurance and/or underwriting
Proven leadership or team management experience
Demonstrated solid understanding of finance and financial concepts
Proven ability to coach and develop talent
Demonstrated solid communication skills, particularly in cross region or matrixed environments

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. health insurance
Proven experience in risk assessment, with demonstrated understanding of pricing drivers within the U.S. healthcare system
Proven experience working within a global or co managed model (e.g., U.S. and offshore/nearshore teams)
Demonstrated exposure to multiple product lines, including ASO, fully insured, and stop loss
Proven experience leading process improvement or operational transformation initiatives

Key Competencies:

Coaching and talent development
Operational leadership and prioritization
Stakeholder management and communication
Cross‑region collaboration and influence
Continuous improvement mindset
Ability to work effectively in a changing environment

Please note you must currently be eligible to work and remain indefinitely without any restrictions in the country to which you are making an application. Proof will be required to support your application.
Optum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, race, and membership of the Traveller community, or any other characteristic protected by law. Optum is a drug‑free workplace. © 2026 Optum Services (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved.
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