Practice Leader Group Underwriting

Practice Leader Group Underwriting

Location: Remote - Ontario

The Practice Leader Underwriting, serves as the technical authority and risk expert for the Group Underwriting discipline. This role is responsible for defining, guiding, and supporting the governance of underwriting practices, methodology, and risk planning. The incumbent acts as the primary escalation point for complex and large cases, is market-facing for high-impact partnerships, and is critical for talent development, learning programs, and succession in underwriting roles.

The total target compensation (TTC) range, including salary and target bonus, is $129,920 - $179,920. This TTC range is applicable to permanent roles only. The actual base salary offered within this range will be determined by the successful candidate’s skills and experience, as well as internal equity.

Empire Life is looking to hire a Practice Lead to join our Group Underwriting team! We are actively seeking candidates to fill a current, open position.

Why pursue this opportunity

Our mission - Provide expertise and intelligent solutions to help Canadians navigate life with confidence.

Join a transforming business - we are a medium-sized Canadian company in a stable industry that emphasizes the importance of innovation to use industry-leading technology.

Hone your skills - this is an opportunity that allows for you to grow your technical, and functional skills.

What you’ll be working on

A. Underwriting Methodology, Risk & Governance (Key Focus)

• Define and support the governance of the Group Underwriting methodology, practices, and philosophy, ensuring consistency, compliance, and alignment with overall corporate risk appetite and long-term profitability targets.
• Lead and review profit reviews of key partnerships and large-block performance, translating insights into necessary changes in underwriting practices or pricing models.
• Provide definition and guidance on risk planning, including identifying and resolving situations that present a high risk and providing guidance to management on escalated issues.
• Drive technical quality assurance and continuous improvement across the underwriting team, which includes conducting holistic file reviews, providing data-backed feedback, and mentoring underwriters to ensure adherence and growth to technical standards, methodology, and risk practices.

B. Technical Expertise & Market Facing Escalation (Key Focus)

• Act as the primary escalation point for complex and large cases, providing direction on the risk underwriting decisions (e.g., cases outside of standard risk guidelines).
• Serve as the market-facing expert for highest impact/visibility key partners, leveraging technical credibility to negotiate and solidify business relationships.
• Cultivate constructive relationships across the organization and with external partners, resolving complex inquiries and enhancing decision-making with data-driven solutions and technical advice.

C. Talent Development & Practice Succession

• Responsible for talent development, learning programs, and succession planning in underwriting roles (e.g., UW II, UW III).
• Lead the creation, revision, and facilitation of advanced underwriting training programs, guaranteeing the technical upskilling of the senior underwriting team.
• Maintain and share expert knowledge of underwriting materials, reinsurance manuals, rules, regulations, and reference guides.

What we’re looking for you to have

• 15+ years work experience at a specialist underwriting level, with deep expertise in complex case management and methodology.
• Exceptional ability to guide, mentor, and motivate others, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate solutions to complex underwriting and partner issues.
• Expert knowledge of underwriting.
• Group Insurance designations (e.g., GBA, CEBS) are highly valued.
• FLMI with an underwriting specialty (e.g., FALU) is recognized as a general industry asset.
• Bilingualism (French/English) is an asset.
• Outstanding interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to approve risk up to established high-limit authority.
• If you are applying for a position which is open to applicants across Canada, unless otherwise indicated in the position, language proficiency in English is required for communicating with customers, advisors, or employees across Canada.
• Our hiring process includes AI screening for keywords and minimum qualifications. Recruiters review all results.

Beyond the salary

For permanent full-time positions, Empire Life offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes:

• Hybrid work model
• Competitive salaries with annual pay increases
• Annual bonus program, which recognizes both strong company performance and individual contributions, for non sales positions
• Access to learning & development programs, and education/tuition reimbursement (role dependent), to support your professional growth and career advancement.
• Competitive uncapped commission, for sales positions
• A comprehensive employer-funded benefits package starting from day one of employment, that includes life insurance, health and dental and a generous health account
• Flexible work arrangements and an annual allotment of personal health days.
• Four weeks annual vacation from hire date
• A defined contribution pension plan with generous employer matching
• Top up programs for parental leave and compassionate leave
• Employer-sponsored wellness and recognition programs
• A cash employee referral program

To learn more about working at Empire Life, visit https://www.empire.ca/workatempire.

Get to know us

Empire life is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and welcome everyone to participate in our application process. We encourage those of all backgrounds and experiences to apply, even if you don't believe you meet each unique qualification outlined. Applicants will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

Empire Life is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to building an inclusive and barrier-free workplace. We welcome applications from people with disabilities and are committed to providing accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process. If you require a specific adjustment to help you present your best self, please let us know—we are happy to work with you. If you need this job posting in an alternative format or have any accessibility questions, please contact recruitment@empire.ca.