Are you ready to revolutionize life underwriting and guide our organization through an exciting modernization journey? In the role of Director of Underwriting Innovation and Modernization, you will lead the transformation of Guardian's life underwriting ecosystem, focusing on technology upgrades, workflow enhancements, automation, and the integration of state-of-the-art tools. You will drive innovation while embodying our core values of doing the right thing, valuing people, courageously shaping our collective future, and exceeding expectations for those we serve.
Your Profile:
You are a visionary transformation leader capable of inspiring change, adept at navigating ambiguity, and passionate about the intersection of underwriting, technology, and strategic development. You are skilled at influencing stakeholders across various functions, balancing diverse priorities, and making impactful decisions that will define the future of underwriting.
Your Qualifications:
Extensive experience in leading underwriting modernization or transformation projects, including system enhancements, workflow redesign, and automation initiatives.
In-depth knowledge of life underwriting, with experience managing complex, high-stakes cases that require senior-level judgment.
Proven success in developing strategic plans, managing budgets, and establishing policies to meet organizational objectives.
Strong understanding of underwriting technologies and data sources, with a collaborative approach to enhance system capabilities with Technology and Product teams.
Comprehensive knowledge of underwriting guidelines, risk assessments, and compliance regulations.
Experience mentoring and developing underwriting managers, providing guidance on cases requiring advanced judgment and expertise.
Familiarity with reinsurance practices, including treaty applications and complex problem resolution.
At least 10 years of experience in life underwriting, with a focus on high-value, complex, and impaired-risk cases, as well as escalations requiring advanced decision-making.
Your Responsibilities:
Lead transformational initiatives in underwriting, focusing on modernizing systems, tools, workflows, and digital capabilities to support the future state operating model.
Manage the Underwriting Transformation Specialists, guiding direction, prioritizing modernization efforts, and ensuring successful implementation across underwriting teams.
Oversee operations within life underwriting across multiple teams, prioritizing tasks and allocating resources in alignment with business goals.
Champion the integration of contemporary underwriting tools and processes into daily practices.
Foster strong relationships with reinsurance partners, ensuring effective treaty management and collaborative process enhancements.
Strengthen partnerships with distribution leaders and field teams to ensure alignment with service excellence.
Develop and communicate strategic plans and budget proposals, aligning operational execution with corporate goals.
Provide leadership to subordinate managers, focusing on talent development for a high-performing team.
Oversee the creation of underwriting reports, including operational metrics, productivity indicators, and risk assessments in collaboration with underwriting risk teams.
Work closely with Claims to monitor claims exposure and trends relevant to underwriting practices.
Ensure a high standard of operational excellence, adhering to guidelines, quality standards, and compliance requirements.
Identify and resolve systemic barriers to operational effectiveness, enhancing customer satisfaction and efficiency.
Negotiate essential agreements and manage vendor relationships to support underwriting modernization and governance.
Reporting Structure:
- You will report to the Head of Life Underwriting Risk & Excellence.
Work Arrangement:
- This position allows for remote work.
Compensation Range:
$110,350.00 - $181,285.00. The final salary will be determined based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience. Additional compensation may be available depending on performance.
Our Commitment:
At Guardian, we prioritize supporting your professional and personal aspirations. With opportunities for skill-building, leadership development, and community involvement, we cultivate an environment where you can thrive alongside a diverse group of colleagues who uphold high ethical standards.
Inspiring Well-Being:
Aligned with Guardian's purpose to inspire well-being, we are devoted to offering modern, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our employees. Explore our benefits package for full-time eligible employees.
Diversity and Inclusion:
Guardian is an equal opportunity employer, and we embrace diversity in our workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or other protected classifications.
Accommodations:
We are committed to providing equal opportunities and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. For requests related to job applications or interviews, please contact our HR Department. This resource is only for accommodation requests.
Visa Sponsorship:
Guardian is not currently sponsoring employment visas. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer support.
Current Guardian Employees: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.
Guardian serves 29 million customers with a broad range of insurance and financial products. Our mission is to inspire well-being, and we are dedicated to uplifting the lives and communities we serve.