Director of Underwriting

What You’ll Do: Strategic Leadership & ExecutionDevelop and execute underwriting and new business strategies aligned to organizational goals, risk appetite, and service standards Translate enterprise strategy into disciplined, scalable, and measurable operating practices Lead transformation initiatives to modernize underwriting and new business processes Operational ExcellenceOversee end-to-end new business lifecycle: intake, underwriting, requirements, offers, reconsiderations, and policy activation Optimize workflows, case assignment, and throughput to improve cycle times, productivity, and consistency Establish and monitor service level agreements (SLAs) and performance standards Underwriting Leadership & Risk ManagementProvide technical underwriting guidance on complex life insurance risks Ensure decisions are well-documented, compliant, and aligned with mortality expectations and reinsurance requirements Review and approve complex cases within authority and elevate as needed Transformation & InnovationLead adoption of automation, accelerated underwriting, and third-party data solutions Evaluate and implement digital tools and workflow enhancements to improve speed and accuracy Advance real-time decisioning capabilities and member experience improvements Performance & AnalyticsDevelop and monitor KPIs and KRIs, including: Cycle time and throughput Quality and post-issue audit results Requirement aging and placement rates Productivity and vendor performanceIdentify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities; drive corrective action People LeadershipLead, coach, and develop underwriting and new business teams, including managers and senior technical staff Drive performance management, workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and high performance Cross-Functional PartnershipCollaborate with Sales, Inforce, Claims, Finance, Legal, Compliance, and Technology Partner with reinsurance carriers on complex cases and program optimization Ensure alignment across teams to deliver a seamless, member-first experience Governance & ComplianceMaintain underwriting guidelines, SOPs, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance Support escalations, member complaints, and risk-related reviews (e.g., rescissions, contestable claims) Manage vendor relationships (e.g., medical exams, labs, data providers) What You BringRequired QualificationsBachelor’s degree in a related field 8+ years of life insurance underwriting experience, including complex case review Proven leadership experience managing teams and/or senior technical professionals Deep understanding of: Medical underwriting and terminology Mortality risk assessment Reinsurance practicesExperience leading: Process improvement and operational transformation Automation and accelerated underwriting initiatives KPI/KRI development and performance analyticsStrong working knowledge of underwriting systems, workflow tools, and policy administration platforms Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, production-driven environment Preferred QualificationsProfessional designations such asCLU, FLMI, ALU, or FALU Experience with vendor management and underwriting data providers Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools