Senior Underwriting Director

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. Visit  for more information.

Senior Underwriting Director provides guidance to junior staff and assists Underwriting Management with research and training of Underwriting Staff. The incumbent leads high scope and complex Underwriting department projects.

• Manage all aspects of potentially unlimited total line in close association with reinsurers.
• Select and classify risk according to company philosophy and standards.
• Participate in and provide a leadership resource for projects in the Underwriting Department.
• Be an information resource for underwriters at all levels.
• Combine appropriate attention to established standards of turnaround with higher level of service and professionalism.
• Analyze and interpret medical, non-medical, and financial information.
• Make decisions within approval limits.
• Ensure that complete and appropriate underwriting requirements are completed while at the same time practicing effective expense management.
• Manage reinsurance process to ensure maximum capacity while avoiding reinsurance “gridlock”.
• Manage/control diversification process as “lead” underwriter on very largest of cases.
• Manage referral/consultation process to ensure that timely and accurate decisions are provided.
• Manage mortality on preferred block of business, through flex guidelines to ensure pricing/mortality expectations are met.
• Ensure consistency and adherence to established departmental guidelines through referral process.
• Actively participate in the development, implementation and management of New Business initiatives.
• Actively participate in the ongoing training and professional development of underwriting team.
• Act as resource/mentor to other members of the underwriting team, particularly at the consultant level.
• Champion appeals and business decisions in concert with the Chief Underwriter.
• Maintain positive and effective relationships with internal and external partners.

• Post-secondary education or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 15 years underwriting experience.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of medical, non-medical and financial underwriting principles and practices.
• In depth knowledge of unique estate, business and insurance planning tools and techniques.
• In depth/current knowledge of political, economic, financial and legislative events which may impact client needs.
• Expert knowledge of company’s insurance product portfolio and ability to marry that knowledge with an understanding of producer/client need.
• Expert knowledge of reinsurance, market place treaties, agreements and available capacity.
• Exceptional priority management with ability to work effectively under deadlines, balance published service times with an appropriate customer.
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply project management skills.
• Expert knowledge of insurance contract law and state legislative requirements as they relate to the underwriting and issue of insurance contracts.
• High level understanding of product pricing principals.
• Balance appropriate attention to expense management against the need to secure sufficient and appropriate underwriting information to make the best decision for the client and the company.
• Actively assist field personnel in positioning the Company as the lead underwriter in the market.
• Actively pursue opportunities for development of self and team.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all field personnel and reinsurers.
• Keep current and up to date with the changing compliance and insurance regulatory environment.
• Keep current and up to date with changes in estate/insurance planning strategies.
• Identify departmental problems, recommend solutions and assist in implementation of change including manual updates.

• Applicable underwriting and insurance designations preferred.