Lead Underwriting Specialist

At Manulife, we are a prominent financial services organization dedicated to simplifying decisions and enhancing the lives of our clients and team members globally. Our commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement reflects our core values. We believe that when our employees are healthy, respected, and challenged, we all succeed. Join our Winning Team and explore how you can advance your career while making a meaningful impact.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid

Position Overview

The Opportunity

Manulife's insurance division is a dynamic and leading sector that encompasses a top-tier underwriting team. We are seeking a driven, enthusiastic, and customer-focused individual to join our leadership team, overseeing daily operations and enhancing performance through innovative practices.

Reporting to the Managing Director of Underwriting, the Underwriting Manager will focus on operational efficiency and the development of strategies to ensure prompt and cost-effective service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the service delivery of the Underwriting department in alignment with established service level agreements, addressing escalated customer concerns and ensuring operations deliver substantial value.
• Take personal accountability for consistently achieving performance standards and targets.
• Enhance staff productivity by recruiting and nurturing cohesive, motivated teams, assessing individual and team performance, addressing performance issues, conducting evaluations, managing recognition, and overseeing talent development.
• Provide leadership and technical guidance for staff development while fostering a positive and productive workplace culture.
• Establish and maintain robust internal and external relationships, including delivering presentations to advisors and conducting office visits as necessary.
• Ensure ongoing collaboration and partnerships.
• Collaborate with various teams across locations to guarantee quality and service excellence.
• Continuously seek opportunities for business improvement and enhanced customer service.

Impact Creation

This role entails comprehensive management direction and the development of a successful Underwriting team. Success will be achieved through effective recruitment, retention, and staff development, fostering a work environment that promotes participation, ownership, responsibility, innovation, integrity, and pride in operations and at Manulife.

To excel in this position, you must thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and commit to service excellence by building effective relationships across all organizational levels. As a representative of Manulife's brand, you will embody our values and understand our business strategy and mission.

The Underwriting team consists of 120 professionals covering Individual, Affinity, and Group business, supporting multiple distribution channels including Advisor Services, Managing General Agencies, and National Accounts. Our diverse team operates in various locations, including remote workers. The Underwriting team is responsible for risk assessment, experience analysis, and trend projection.

What Drives You?

• You are passionate about customer satisfaction, actively listening, engaging, and advocating for their needs.
• You possess a visionary mindset, eager to explore innovative approaches that drive business success.
• You thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy achieving results as a team.
• You take initiative and develop solutions, concentrating on what truly matters.
• You uphold integrity, making ethical decisions and voicing concerns when necessary.
• You contribute to a diverse and inclusive workplace, valuing the uniqueness of every individual.

Desired Qualifications

• Bilingualism is required for candidates in Québec (French/English) to effectively communicate with clients across various jurisdictions.
• Proven leadership abilities with a focus on staff development and team engagement.
• Strong understanding of insurance products and industry knowledge, with an emphasis on underwriting, particularly in living benefits.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, fostering strong connections with internal and external partners.
• Resilience and adaptability in high-pressure situations and tight deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong negotiation, influencing, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with a remote and geographically diverse team.
• Willingness to engage in problem-solving with key stakeholders.
• Operations-oriented mindset.
• Results-driven approach.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits packages.
• Opportunities for career growth that encourage you to pursue your passions and develop new skills.
• A focus on advancing your career path with us.
• Flexible work policies promoting a healthy work-life balance.
• Professional development and leadership training opportunities.

Our Commitment to You

• Values-driven culture
  We embody our values daily and work together to bring them to life.
• Endless opportunities
  We create pathways for learning and growth at every career stage.
• Ongoing innovation
  We invite you to help reshape the future of financial services.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  We cultivate an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
• Championing Corporate Responsibility
  We build a business that benefits all stakeholders and positively impacts society and the environment.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group dedicated to simplifying decisions and enhancing lives. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife in Asia, Canada, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. Our workforce exceeds 40,000 employees, supported by over 116,000 agents and numerous distribution partners, serving more than 34 million customers. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace diversity and strive to attract, develop, and retain a workforce that mirrors the diversity of our customers. We are dedicated to fair recruitment, retention, advancement, and compensation practices, ensuring that all our processes are free from discrimination.

We prioritize removing barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will assist applicants who request reasonable accommodations during the application process. All information shared during this process will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and our policies.

Salary & Benefits

The annual base salary for this role is competitive and varies based on local market conditions, geography, and relevant job-related factors.

Manulife offers eligible employees a comprehensive array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, and life insurance coverage, along with retirement savings plans and financial education resources. Our generous paid time off program includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, as well as statutory leaves of absence.