Director of Disability Underwriting

The Opportunity

MassMutual is establishing a dedicated Disability Underwriting Large Case Unit (LCU) to manage the organization’s most complex, high-value disability cases. We are seeking a Director of Disability Underwriting – Large Case Unit to lead this specialized team. This is a “player-coach” leadership role, combining hands-on underwriting expertise with day-to-day leadership, enabling strong risk discipline, execution, and advisor partnership. This role will be focused on our growing business from our top MassMutual's Financial Advisors and Brokers. Your focus will be to create a culture focused on concierge service for our largest Disability cases and top advisors, while maintaining a strong risk culture.

You will be accountable to assist the Head of Disability Underwriting and New Business to establish and drive the strategic direction of Disability Underwriting and New Business operations. You will operationalize our strategy and implement solutions to improve underwriter, producer/advisor/financial professional, and customer experience.

You will demonstrate accountability, agility, a dedication to being inclusive, a strong business acumen, and will show courage, even in the most difficult situations. You will have strong communication skills, exhibit a passion for learning, show strong leadership traits, resilience, and self-awareness.

The Team

Each day, our team of Large Case Underwriters focus on high-complexity disability cases.  They act a as senior underwriting partners to advisors, producers, and field leadership and provide support in positioning complex cases and navigating underwriting decisions. To ensure we are best positioned to do so, the Disability Underwriting Large Case Unit is guided by the following principles:

• Cultivate a culture centered on risk discipline, accountability, collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• Balance risk selection and business outcomes

• Maintain focus on long-term portfolio health over individual case pressure

The Impact

You will lead an underwriting team comprised of large disability cases, highly experienced underwriters that will support our field partners across multiple geographic locations.

• Foster a culture aligned to our purpose, values and strategy and role-model our values and behaviors in all that you do.

• Lead the Disability Large Case Unit underwriting team, providing efficient, proactive and exceptional service experience to our field offices and advisors, while ensuring staffing and variable capacity meet growing demands.

• Strive to improve the organization's proficiency and professionalism through continuing education and various development efforts. Assume full ownership/accountability of underwriting decisions within your approval authority, including responding to escalations within your authority.

• Collaborate with the Head of Disability Underwriting and New Business, as well as the Head Disability Underwriter, to challenge the status quo and bring the organization forward in its approach to all aspects of their roles. This priority will ensure risk selection excellence while the organization drives to sustainable and material improvement to operations costs, quality, and cycle-time.  This aligns with the broader strategy of MassMutual (e.g., ease of doing business for producers/customers and efficient cost base).

• Oversee workflow management for large-case segmentation, including case routing and prioritization.

• Implement and monitor key performance metrics, and establish methods to appropriately monitor against targets.

• Drive improved outcomes in placement ratios, advisor satisfaction and Ease of doing business.

• Maintain competitive awareness through participation in industry events and associations, study groups, etc.

• Lead and/or participating in various strategic initiatives that drive the organization toward our long-term strategic goals.

The Minimum Qualifications 

• Minimum Disability Underwriting Authority limit of $15k per month or greater at MassMutual or equivalent at other carrier

• 10+ years of Disability Underwriting experience

• 2+ years experience demonstrating informal leadership by guiding, coaching, and supporting colleagues in their day-to-day work

The Ideal Qualifications 

• Experience overseeing a team of underwriters, providing day-to-day leadership, coaching, and support to ensure accurate risk assessment and timely case processing

• College degree, or equivalent years of experience, preferred

• Industry designations/education (FALU, FLMI, CLU) preferred

• Demonstrated knowledge of all aspects of disability risk selection (medical, financial and occupational)

• Experience working with different distribution channels

• Strong knowledge of product and pricing to prudently manage morbidity

• Data-driven mindset with the ability to analyze, dissect, gather, and interpret all facets of data related to the business

• Medical terminology acumen with the ability to make sound risk decisions based on medical data

• Highly skilled in identifying the latest trends within the disability insurance industry, analyzing the competitive environment and identifying opportunities and areas for success.

• Proven ability to interact and collaborate effectively with others; viewed by peers, Home Office associates, field associates and underwriting management as a trusted partner

• Proven experience leading projects, including impactful strategic level initiatives

What You Can Expect at MassMutual  

MassMutual offers the opportunity to do meaningful work within a purpose-driven organization that values long-term impact over short-term outcomes.

In this role, you can expect: 

Clear areas of ownership and accountability, with work that connects directly to company and customer outcomes 

A collaborative environment where perspectives are welcomed 

Access to learning, development, and internal networks that support continuous growth and skill-building over time

Employee-led communities and forums that foster connection, learning, and inclusion across the organization

A culture grounded in integrity, responsibility, and stewardship—supported by a company with a strong legacy and a future-focused mindset

#LI-SB1

#LI-Remote

Salary Range:

$144,800-$190,000

At MassMutual, we focus on ensuring fair equitable pay, by providing competitive salaries, along with incentive and bonus opportunities for all employees. Your total compensation package includes either a bonus target or in a sales-focused role a Variable Incentive Compensation component.

Why Join Us.

We’ve been around since 1851. During our history, we’ve learned a few things about making sure our customers are our top priority. In order to meet and exceed their expectations, we must have the best people providing the best thinking, products and services. To accomplish this, we celebrate an inclusive, vibrant and diverse culture that encourages growth, openness and opportunities for everyone. A career with MassMutual means you will be part of a strong, stable and ethical business with industry leading pay and benefits. And your voice will always be heard.

We help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. As a company owned by our policyowners, we are defined by mutuality and our vision to put customers first. It’s more than our company structure – it’s our way of life. We are a company of people protecting people. Our company exists because people are willing to share risk and resources, and rely on each other when it counts. At MassMutual, we Live Mutual.

MassMutual is an equal employment opportunity employer. We welcome all persons to apply.

If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us and share the specifics of the assistance you need.

At MassMutual, we focus on ensuring fair, equitable pay by providing competitive salaries, along with incentive and bonus opportunities for all employees.  Your total compensation package includes either a bonus target or in a sales-focused role a Variable Incentive Compensation component.  For more information about our extensive benefits offerings please check out our Total Rewards at a Glance.