Senior Underwriter

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. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Senior Underwriter (GL26) is responsible for independently managing a defined portfolio (book of business) and delivering accurate, timely underwriting analysis and pricing for both new business and renewal opportunities. This role applies established underwriting guidelines, evaluates risk, and supports business growth and retention objectives.

The Senior Underwriter operates with increased autonomy, partnering cross-functionally with Sales, Account Management, and other internal stakeholders, while adhering to financial targets and underwriting best practices. Success in this role requires solid analytical capability, adaptability to changing priorities, and the ability to make accurate, timely decisions in a fast-paced environment.

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:

• Apply underwriting guidelines to prepare renewal and/or new business (prospect) rates 
• Analyze health benefit plan characteristics and assess risk, including frequency and severity of potential loss 
• Utilize underwriting criteria, policies, and rating methodologies to develop appropriate pricing solutions 
• Independently manage a defined book of business, ensuring quality, accuracy, and timeliness of deliverables 
• Partner with Sales and Account Management to support Requests for Proposal (RFPs), including development of group experience retention illustrations and addressing inquiries 
• Provide technical underwriting support and guidance to internal stakeholders on new and renewal business 
• Participate in discussions related to plan design and pricing strategies to support competitive positioning and client retention

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:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• Proven experience in underwriting, financial analysis, or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis and basic modeling techniques
• Proven ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned tasks with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated solid analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to apply established methods to evaluate data and support decision making
• Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate analysis and explain decisions to stakeholders
• Demonstrated effective time management skills, with the ability to prioritize workload and consistently meet deadlines
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a team to achieve shared goals
• Demonstrated adaptability, with the ability to adjust to changing priorities and workload demands
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions within defined guidelines, policies, and risk frameworks
• Demonstrated commitment to following established processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. healthcare systems and employer-sponsored benefits 
• Proven experience working with large datasets and financial models 
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment 
• Demonstrated experience collaborating cross-functionally with internal stakeholders 
• Proven track record of delivering accurate, case-level outputs that support business operations

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.  

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.


Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: 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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