The Director, Underwriting Transformation & Delivery leads the execution of individual insurance underwriting transformation initiatives and oversees Underwriting's participation in product, platform, operational, and business change programs across the Canada Segment. The role leads a team of underwriting subject matter experts and business analysts who support initiatives impacting underwriting and new business operations.
Accountable for delivering transformation initiatives aligned to the long-term underwriting vision, the Director drives process modernization, operational improvements, and business readiness efforts that enhance underwriting effectiveness, customer and advisor experiences, operational efficiency, and risk management outcomes.
Working closely with Product, New Business, Operations, Technology, Distribution, Risk Management, and Compliance, the Director ensures underwriting expertise, requirements, and risk considerations are effectively incorporated into business initiatives, enabling successful delivery and meaningful business outcomes.
Position Responsibilities:
Underwriting Transformation & Continuous Improvement
Lead the delivery of underwriting transformation initiatives aligned to the long-term underwriting vision and business objectives.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve underwriting effectiveness, operational efficiency, customer experience, and risk management outcomes.
Drive change management, business readiness, and adoption activities to ensure sustainable business benefits.
Product & Platform Enablement
Oversee Underwriting's participation in product launches, product enhancements, platform modernization efforts, and other business initiatives.
Ensure underwriting requirements, operational impacts, and risk considerations are appropriately incorporated into solution design and delivery.
Support successful implementation of business changes through underwriting expertise, impact assessments, and readiness planning.
Build strong partnerships across Product, New Business, Operations, Technology, Distribution, Risk Management, Compliance, and other key stakeholder groups.
Portfolio Delivery & Resource Leadership
Establish priorities and manage Underwriting's participation across multiple concurrent initiatives.
Ensure underwriting resources are effectively allocated to support business objectives and delivery commitments.
Monitor initiative progress and escalate risks, issues, dependencies, and resource constraints as appropriate.
Ensure appropriate governance, controls, and risk management practices are embedded throughout initiative delivery.
Talent Development
Lead and develop a team of underwriting subject matter experts and business analysts.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation.
Build organizational capability in underwriting systems, processes, and business transformation.
Required Qualifications:
10+ years of experience in life insurance underwriting, new business operations, product development, business transformation, or related functions.
5+ years of leadership experience delivering large-scale business transformation, operational improvement, product implementation, or platform modernization initiatives.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams through complex business and technology change initiatives.
Strong understanding of underwriting philosophies, processes, systems, and risk assessment practices.
Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive outcomes across multiple business functions.
Experience leading cross-functional teams through complex change initiatives.
Experience partnering with Product, Technology, Operations, Risk Management, and Distribution teams.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Insurance, Risk Management, or a related field.
Proven people leadership and talent development experience.
Experience leading business transformation and change initiatives.
Strong strategic thinking and execution skills.
Exceptional executive communication and stakeholder management abilities.
Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
Ability to lead and collaborate across cross-functional teams.
Sound judgment with a risk-based approach to decision-making.
Strong prioritization, problem-solving, and execution capabilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
When you join our team:
We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.
The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.
Referenced Salary Location
CAN, Ontario, Toronto, 250 Bloor Street East
Hybrid
Salary range is expected to be between
$125,100.00 CAD - $175,100.00 CAD
Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact for the salary range for your location.
Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.
