Process Consultant - Claims and Underwriting - Life and Annuities Insurance (ONSITE)

Process Consultant - Claims and Underwriting - Life and Annuities Insurance (ONSITE)

Location: Charlotte NC (ONSITE)

Job Overview:

We are looking for a skilled and experienced Process Consultant with 8+ years of experience in the Life and Annuities Insurance domain, specifically in Claims and Underwriting processes. The ideal candidate will have a comprehensive, end-to-end understanding of the claims and underwriting lifecycle within Life and Annuities insurance, along with practical experience using leading underwriting and claims platforms. As a Process Consultant, you will drive strategic process improvements, collaborate across teams, and ensure seamless integration of business operations and technology systems in this complex domain.

In this role, you will lead efforts to optimize processes, enhance operational efficiency, and provide consultation on the implementation and improvement of claims and underwriting systems. Your expertise will be critical in ensuring that the business achieves its operational goals, maintains compliance, and supports continuous transformation.

Key Responsibilities:

- Process Optimization & Transformation, Lead the analysis, design, and optimization of Claims and Underwriting processes within the Life and Annuities insurance domain, ensuring operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and improved customer outcomes.

- Identify areas for improvement within the end-to-end lifecycle and create actionable plans to streamline processes, reduce cycle times, and minimize operational costs.

- Cross-Functional Collaboration - Collaborate with business stakeholders, product owners, and IT teams to understand business requirements, assess current systems, and define solutions that align with strategic objectives.

- Engage with senior leadership to provide recommendations on process improvements, technology solutions, and overall business strategy in claims and underwriting operations.

- Platform Expertise & Integration - Utilize your experience with **underwriting and claims platforms** to guide the configuration, integration, and optimization of systems to support key business processes.

- Work with IT teams to ensure seamless integration between systems, including underwriting, claims management, and policy administration platforms, ensuring data flow and process alignment.

- Requirements Analysis & Documentation - Conduct detailed analysis of business processes, document workflows, and identify key requirements for system enhancements or process changes.

- Develop clear and comprehensive documentation, including process maps, functional specifications, user stories, and business cases.

- Risk Management & Compliance - Ensure that process changes and system configurations adhere to regulatory requirements and company standards.

- Identify and manage risks associated with process implementation and technological integrations, including operational risks and compliance risks.

- Project Leadership & Change Management - Lead and support cross-functional projects to implement process improvements, system enhancements, and process automation.

- Act as a change agent, supporting training, user adoption, and communication efforts to ensure smooth implementation of new processes and systems.

- Continuous Improvement & Reporting - Promote a culture of continuous improvement by tracking performance metrics, analyzing results, and recommending ongoing enhancements to existing processes.

- Provide regular updates and insights to leadership on progress, risks, and the impact of process improvement initiatives.

Skills & Qualifications -

- 8+ years of experience in the Life and Annuities insurance domain, with a focus on Claims and Underwriting processes.

- Proven track record of process optimization and business transformation within Life and Annuities insurance.

- Hands-on experience working with underwriting and claims platforms in the Life and Annuities space.

- Platform Expertise - - Strong understanding and practical experience with underwriting and claims management systems used within the Life and Annuities insurance industry. Familiarity with core insurance platforms and technologies (e.g., Guidewire, DXC, FIS etc), as well as experience in system integrations and configurations.

- Consulting & Analytical Skills - Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex processes, identify inefficiencies, and create actionable solutions. Excellent ability to document processes and requirements and translate them into system and process enhancements.

- Project Management - Experience managing or supporting large, cross-functional projects in an agile or waterfall environment. Strong project management skills, including the ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

- Communication & Leadership - Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with senior executives, technical teams, and business stakeholders. Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage change and foster collaboration across diverse teams.

- Education & Certifications (Preferred) - bachelor's degree in business administration, Finance, Information Systems or related field.

Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), Insurance Industry Certifications like FLMI, or platform-specific certifications) are a plus.

Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship now or at any time in the future.