Chief Underwriter

As chief underwriter, you lead and influence the parties involved in complex, strategic files that require extensive, in-depth expertise in underwriting for life, disability, credit, travel and critical illness insurance. Your role also includes managing a team of expert underwriters who oversee projects, guidelines, audits, risk management and training to support growth across Canada. You use your leadership skills to bring about transformational change and play a key role with clients (individual, group and credit insurance) in a business context that includes multiple business lines and multiple networks. More specifically, you will be required to:

• Oversee underwriting-specific development projects, initiatives and activities that significantly affect the organization and could have an impact on Desjardins Group as a whole.
• Advise and support the team to help them position, plan, develop, execute and monitor strategic initiatives under their responsibility.
• Monitor the industry to understand and anticipate underwriting trends and make relevant recommendations on best practices and the competitiveness of decisions.
• Supervise the development of guidelines, rules engines and predictive models. Contribute to strategic projects to modernize and use analytics for file analysis.
• Help develop products (underwriting standards and requirements, definitions, insurability criteria, etc.).
• Simplify underwriting processes, including applications and forms, to improve the member, client and partner experience.
• Develop performance indicators and monitoring methods. Identify problems and make recommendations to the authorities involved.
• Negotiate with certain decision-making bodies or partners to achieve business objectives.
• Maintain the organization's visibility and represent the underwriting sector by participating in industry committees and associations.

What you bring to the table

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• A minimum of nine years of relevant experience, including management experience and experience as an underwriter specializing in advanced individual life, disability and critical illness insurance files.
• Please note that other combinations of qualifications and relevant experience may be considered.
• Experience in underwriting (medical, financial and advanced files).
• Experience as a transformational leader who fosters positive change management both internally and externally.
• Experience working collaboratively with actuarial, new business, modernization and technology teams.
• Strong communication skills in both French and English, both oral and written due to the nature of the duties or work tools or because the position involves interactions with (language)-speaking partners, members and/or clients.

What we offer*

• Competitive salary and annual bonus.
• 4 weeks of flexible vacation starting in the first year.
• Defined benefit pension plan that provides predictable, stable income throughout retirement.
• Group insurance including telemedicine.
• Reimbursement of health and wellness expenses and telework equipment.

*Benefits apply based on eligibility criteria.

At Desjardins, we believe in equity, diversity and inclusion. We're committed to welcoming, respecting and valuing people for who they are as individuals, learning from their differences, embracing their uniqueness, and providing a positive workplace for all. At Desjardins, we have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. We believe our teams should reflect the diversity of the members, clients and communities we serve.

If there's something we can do to help make the recruitment process or the job you're applying for more accessible, let us know. We can provide accommodations at any stage in the recruitment process. Just ask

Job Family

Management (FG)

Unposting Date

2024-11-8