Manager, Underwriting Operations - Commercial Small Business (Calgary, AB (Hybrid), CA)

Wawanesa Insurance

$100K — $130K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in Commercial Property and Casualty, Auto, or Farm industry.
  • Post-secondary education in a relevant field or completion of a Property and Casualty Industry Designation.
  • Demonstrated strong leadership skills for team motivation and engagement during changes.
  • Exceptional negotiation skills with the ability to influence perspectives effectively.
  • Strong analytical skills for problem-solving and selecting best solutions.
  • Proven decision-making abilities with clear justification for chosen paths.
  • Excellent communication skills for conveying information convincingly.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and monitor progress against deadlines.
  • Willingness to travel as required.

Responsibilities

  • Monitor portfolio performance and the underwriting workflow for business objectives.
  • Evaluate market conditions and recommend actions to leadership for improved performance.
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to enhance underwriting professionals' capabilities.
  • Ensure adherence to underwriting guidelines and influence practices aligned with risk appetite.
  • Lead the implementation of business initiatives and process improvements.
  • Assess complex risks and make informed recommendations for underwriting decisions.
  • Develop strong relationships with stakeholders including brokers and business partners.
  • Represent the underwriting function on strategic and cross-functional projects.

Benefits

  • Flexible hybrid work environment with options for in-office and remote work.
  • Annual bonus plan and leave of absence top-up programs.
  • Generous vacation time and personal days.
  • Premium free benefits including health and wellness options.
  • Robust pension plan for financial security.
Full Job Description
Job ID: 10349

Employment Type: Existing Role

Work Environment: We offer a hybrid work environment that offers flexibility to our employees in balancing in-office (2 days per week OR 15 hours per week in a Wawanesa office) and remote work. You may work from any of the following locations: Winnipeg, MB; Wawanesa, MB; Vancouver, BC; Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB.

Working Business Language: English.

Salary: At Wawanesa, salary is only one component of a holistic, comprehensive and competitive offering that we provide to our employees. In addition to salary, full-time and part-time permanent employees are eligible for an annual bonus plan, leave of absence top-up programs and provided with generous vacation time, personal days, premium free benefits and pension plan.

The salary offered for this role is determined with consideration to various factors, including but not limited to: your work location, local labour market conditions, external market salary data, internal pay equity and the knowledge, skills, experience and anticipated proficiency in the role. The salary offered is estimated to be within the following range: $100,000 - $130,000. Candidates with salary expectations outside of the range are still encouraged to apply.

Job Overview

In this role, the Manager of Underwriting Operations in Commercial Small Business (West) is responsible for working closely with the CL SME Directors, supporting the strategic direction, operational effectiveness, and performance of the Small Business underwriting portfolio. The role provides leadership, technical guidance, and business expertise to achieve targeted business results while fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service nationally.

Job Responsibilities
  • Monitor portfolio performance and underwriting workflow to support the achievement of short- and long-term business objectives.
  • Evaluate economic, industry, and market conditions for potential or current impacts to business performance and collaborate with the CL SME Leadership team to recommend appropriate actions.
  • Lead and provide mentorship by finding opportunities in providing coaching, technical guidance, and development support to underwriting professionals to enhance performance, engagement, and capability.
  • Promote adherence to underwriting guidelines, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
    Influence underwriting practices and culture while supporting the organization's risk appetite and profitability objectives.
  • Champion the development, implementation, and adoption of business initiatives, process improvements, and operational changes.
  • Assess complex risks and provide recommendations to support sound underwriting decisions.
  • Foster strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including brokers, business partners, regional offices, and industry contacts.
  • Represent the Small Business underwriting function on cross-functional projects, committees, and strategic initiatives.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.


Qualifications

  • 5-7 years Commercial Property and Casualty, Auto or Farm industry experience.
  • Post-secondary education and/or completion of a Property and Casualty Industry Designation
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and engage high performing teams while managing change.
  • Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to present information or contradictory perspectives with sound influence.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to select and implement best solutions.
  • Excellent decision-making skills with the ability to provide justification.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to present information in a convincing manner.
  • Excellent ability to multi-task and monitor progress to meet deadlines.
  • Ability and willingness to travel.


Diversity Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

At Wawanesa, we are committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) and believe that our strength lies in the diversity of our people - this is supported by having a representative workforce.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including racialized persons, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, gender-diverse and neurodiverse individuals, and anyone who can contribute to the further diversification of thought and ideas.

We aim to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all candidates. If you require accommodations during any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out in confidence to [redacted].

All Wawanesa job applicants are subject to Wawanesa's Privacy Policy.

Please note that the recruitment process for this position may involve the use of AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants. All final decisions are taken or reviewed by human recruiters and human hiring leaders in compliance with all applicable legislation.

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