Life Claims & Variable Annuity Sr Spec

Summary:

The Life Claims & Annuity Sr. Specialist is responsible for assessing and making decisions on variable/portfolio death claims, death under income plan, variable/fixed annuity, and Northwestern Access Fund accounts. This role involves partnering with the contestable team on variable contestable claims.  ensuring compliance with a $2M signature authority limit, and involves analyzing various documents such as death certificates, claim forms, legal documentation.  Additionally, the specialist conducts routine reviews claims in accordance with contract language and state laws.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Decision Making and Claims Review

• Make fair, accurate, and timely decisions on variable/portfolio death claims, death under Income plans, variable/fixed annuities, and Northwestern Mutual Access Fund accounts. Maintaining compliance with a $2M signature authority limit. 
• Examine claim information obtained, including beneficiary data, policy values, policy status, and analyze information received during the claim review process, such as death certificates, claim forms, assignment forms, divorce decrees, and estate and trust documentation.
• Research and evaluate solutions to arising situations and resolve concerns as needed.  Deviate from procedures to handle unique situations effectively. 

• Exhibit empathy, professionalism, and tact in all interactions, especially when handling sensitive or contentious claims.
• Provide exceptional customer service to policyholders, beneficiaries, and financial advisers, addressing their questions and concerns throughout the claims process.
• Communicate claims decisions to beneficiaries and other parties clearly and sensitively, providing detailed explanations and supporting documentation as needed.
• Manage phone and transactional responsibilities while demonstrating a strong commitment to confidentiality.
• Maintain organization, accuracy, and timeliness in individual case management systems; capture and document claim-related information accurately and/or refer tasks as appropriate.
• Maintain production and claim quality standards to ensure efficiency and accuracy.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance claims handling processes, reduce turnaround times, and improve accuracy.
• Assist with special projects and initiatives as needed to support the business.
• Embrace new technology and serve as an advocate by educating beneficiaries and field representatives.
• Support digital savvy capabilities in self and others and adapt to changing environments and new situations effectively and positively.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible work experience.
• Series 6 FINRA License is required or obtained within 6 months of hire.
• Previous experience in claims, income plan, or annuity preferred.
• High degree of accuracy in handling detailed technical work.
• Self-motivated with proven responsibility for work results and group goals.
• Technically savvy with the ability to toggle between multiple applications and computer monitors simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills, able to independently prioritize to meet deadlines.
• Exhibits empathy and strong client focus, with excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) to include the proven ability to negotiate.
• Leadership and decision-making skills, to include the abilities to evaluate/identify, diagnose and implement decisions/solutions to questions/problems within the scope of the job.
• Ability to analyzing complex information and ask thoughtful questions.

Desired Skills:

• Adaptive Communication (Intermediate)
• Attention to Detail (Advanced)
• Customer Centricity (Intermediate)
• Decision Making (Intermediate)
• Analytical Thinking (Advanced)
• Empathetic Communication (Intermediate)
• Prioritization (Intermediate)
• Claims Acumen (Intermediate)
• Annuity Product Knowledge (Intermediate)

This position has been classified as a Registered Representative under NMIS guidelines and requires fingerprinting.

Required Certifications:

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please click here for additional information relating to location-based pay structures.

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We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.