Practice Lead, Group Underwriting

Please note the base salary will be determined by the successful candidate's education, skills and experience. The listed salary range serves as a general pay guideline for this position's pay level.

Practice Lead, Group Underwriting

Location: Remote - Anywhere in Canada OR Hybrid

Empire Life is looking to hire a Practice Lead, Group Underwriting  to join our Group Operations team! The Practice Lead, Group Underwriting is responsible for the technical performance, auditing, learning and development of all members of the underwriting team (Levels I, II, III) and ensures the team operates at an expert level providing consistent and customer centric solution-based decisions in consultative fashion without jeopardizing established risk assumptions and according to prevailing underwriting guidelines. The incumbent is guided by defined goals and objectives and works under the general supervision of the Director of Underwriting.

Why pursue this opportunity

1. Impactful work - get the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that have a positive impact on our customers, our company, and society as a whole.

2. Play an integral role - this is an opportunity that allows for you to grow your skills, while directly contributing to the business unit you are a part of.

3. The opportunity - collaborate with cross-functional teams and work on a variety of projects that will keep you engaged and continuously learning.

4. Diversity, equity, and inclusion - we are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and welcome candidates who share this commitment.

What you’ll be working on

• Leads in partnership with underwriting  management, the development and communication of process and practice changes, including maintenance of the Underwriting Guidelines and other documents relevant to the functional unit 

• Assess the financial risk, exposure for group insurance benefit products through comparison of Company financial condition, participation rates, type of industry, characteristics of employee groups, and/or past claims experience to determine benefit level and premium rates; approve the sale of group benefits policies, ensuring compliance with Company and Reinsurers’ guidelines, and governmental regulations

• Use experience and judgment, in conjunction with Underwriting guidelines, product and services knowledge, and knowledge of government regulations, to determine optimal solutions to meet customer needs

• Develop, maintain and ensure that Underwriters are adhering to sound underwriting philosophy and practices within predetermined Company guidelines; ensure sound Reinsurance administration policies and procedures are in place

• Act as the subject matter expert and external technical point of contact for key high value partnerships; often consulting on methodology, acquisition, retention and profitability measures

• Support with review, internal coaching, exception handling and external stakeholder management for complex cases more than $500k in annualized premium

• Provide consultation and problem resolution for the business units and the sales teams on complex risk scenarios and any other related issues 

• Provide support and expertise to the actuarial team, group marketing and group sales leadership on product development and industry trends

• Act as primary contact and collaborate with reinsurance providers as required

• Work alongside Actuary, Distribution, Product and Senior leadership teams to further the state of the organization

• Represent Empire Life to external audiences, during presentations, conferences and on Distribution Partner visits 

• Coach, mentor and develop team members; identify employee training and development needs 

• Design, develop and administer the UW curriculum, such that a sustainable training program is delivered in a cadence that ensures methodology consistency,talent development and consultative practices

• Lead monthly key partner performance reviews to assess partnership success - identifying growth, retention or partner termination requirements

• Execute partner specific UW practices, ensuring partnerships are documented, implemented and adhered to, ensuring profitability is maintained in line with top line revenue

• Monitor and guide metric performance in a number of areas to ensure operational success:

  • Talent Development progress (skills matrix, resource dependency)

  • Operational Performance (declination ratio stability, NAICs trend)

  • Business insights (key partner performance, profitability) 

What we’re looking for you to have

• Strong ability to drive independent initiatives and contribute as a member on initiatives focused on evolving the state of effective organization; digital transformation, process optimization & product evolution

• 10+ years experience underwriting group business at a senior level

• Proven knowledge of group benefits products, contractual provisions, risk assessment and pricing methodologies

• Knowledge of group insurance industry trends, economic and regulatory environment

• Proven ability to deliver customer focused solutions

• Well developed excel skills; pivot tables, v look ups

• Experience providing services to and interacting directly with sales team and advisors is an asset

• Well-developed analytical and problem resolution skills

• Ability to be decisive and show consistently good judgment

• Well-developed mathematical skills

• Well-developed communication, negotiation, persuasion and presentation skills

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships

• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills

• Completion of a university degree or college diploma in a relevant field

• GBA or CEBS Designation

• If you are applying for a position which is open to applicants across Canada, unless otherwise indicated in the position, language proficiency in English is required for communicating with customers, advisors, or employees across Canada.

Beyond the salary

For regular full-time positions, Empire Life offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes:

• Competitive salaries with annual pay increases

• Annual bonus program, which recognizes both strong company performance and individual contributions, for non sales positions

• Competitive uncapped commission, for sales positions

• A comprehensive employer-funded benefits package starting from day one of employment, that includes life insurance, disability, health and dental and a generous health account

• Flexible work arrangements and an annual allotment of personal health days.

• Four weeks annual vacation from hire date

• A defined contribution pension plan with generous employer matching

• Top up programs for parental leave and compassionate leave

• Employer-sponsored wellness and recognition programs

• A cash employee referral program

To learn more about working at Empire Life, visit https://www.empire.ca/workatempire.

Get to know us

Empire life is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and welcome everyone to participate in our application process. We encourage those of all backgrounds and experiences to apply, even if you don't believe you meet each unique qualification outlined. Applicants will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age. 

Empire Life welcomes applications from people with disabilities and disabled people. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the screening and selection process. If you need this job posting in an alternative format or have any accessibility questions, please contact recruitment@empire.ca