General Director, Life Underwriting

This is a remote role open to any location in continental US

Manulife is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make decisions easier and lives better. Help shape the future you want to see — and discover that better can take you anywhere you want to go.

The General Director is a people leader. The incumbent will also take the lead on high scope and complex Underwriting department projects.

Position Responsibilities:

• Manage multiple MSUDs and their team.

• Ensure departmental efficiency and overall management of the department.

• Strong knowledge around red flags in order to identify potential fraud, poor sales practices.

• Expert technical UW skills to act as a resource.

• Expert reinsurance skills.

• Ensure departmental and company controls are being followed and maintained.

• Knowledge of Human Resource practices.

• Expert resource for other departments of the company.

• 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.

• Management of reinsurance process to ensure maximum capacity while avoiding reinsurance “gridlock”.

• Management/control of 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 though 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.

Required Qualifications:

• 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, marketplace treaties, agreements and available capacity.

• Exceptional priority management with ability to work effectively under deadlines, balance published service times with 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