Summary 

The Claims and Underwriting team is looking for a colleague who is driven by continuous improvement. The successful applicant is a skilled communicator who will provide our clients, advisors and brokers with timely, high-quality service while facilitating the insurance application assessment and acceptance process. 

Job description 

The Underwriter will review and assess life, critical illness and disability insurance product applications based on underwriting standards and the company’s underwriting guidelines. The selected applicant will frequently work and interact with our Canadian partners. A large proportion of the Underwriter’s duties will be performed in English. 

The Underwriter will use its exceptional judgment to conduct a complex analysis of applicants’ medical and financial information and identify their appropriate risk category. We require the Underwriter to be a team player who communicates with various departments, particularly with Individual Insurance Administration, Claims, Sales, and Actuarial.  He or she demonstrates courage and stands behind decisions by communicating them effectively and flawlessly to brokers and financial security advisors. 

Main responsibilities 

• Provide technical expertise in risk assessment based on individual underwriting methods. 
• Able to work independently on complex insurance applications in accordance with the powers he or she is authorized to exercise. 
• Assess accurately to an approval limit of $1,000,000 for individual life coverage and $3,500 in disability coverage. 
• Manage workload effectively by adapting to fluctuating volumes and related pressure. 
• Communicate directly with the applicants and intermediaries involved regarding decisions affecting the underwriting assessment. 
• Negotiate with the reinsurer and identify all solutions enabling acceptance of a customer file. 
• Work with our Partners and Third Party Administrators regarding risk assessment. 
• Serve as a point of reference for claims files in the incontestability period.  
• Provide training and act as mentor and coach to junior and intermediate underwriting team members to ensure compliance with standards and proper communication of underwriting decisions. 
• Contribute to the implementation of continuous improvements. 
• Take an active role in team meetings and encourage the team to achieve its objectives. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, health or other relevant field; 
• Over 10 years' experience as an underwriter, including a minimum of 5 years as a senior underwriter; 
• Completion or near completion of FLMI (Fellow, Life Management Designation) or FALU (Fellow, Academy of Life Underwriting) training is an asset; 
• Medical and financial knowledge; 
• Demonstrate an understanding of insurance contracts and legislation accross Canada; 
• Proficiency in the Office suite; 
• Bilingual (French and English), you will be in contact with English and French-speaking customers and partners in the course of your duties, both written and oral. 

Skills 

• Demonstrates proactivity, autonomy and a strong sense of organization; 
• Has excellent communication skills; 
• Uses interpersonal skills to create a unique and distinctive interdepartmental experience; 
• Possesses strong analytical, judgmental and problem-solving skills; 
• Encourages and fosters a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement 
• Inspires through self-confidence and values; 
• Adapts and navigates well in a constantly changing environment.