The Group Benefits Underwriting Director for the Small Business Segment is responsible for leading Manulife Canada’s Group Benefits on and offshore Small Business underwriting organization. This role requires a strategic leader who can partner closely with internal stakeholders and Plan Sponsors to ensure exceptional delivery of Manulife’s underwriting Group Benefits services. The successful candidate will be accountable for leading the underwriting transformation strategy focused on Small and Mid-Size Plan Sponsors. This involves the design, development, and delivery of innovative ideas, programs, technology, processes, and initiatives aimed at advancing our underwriting approach.

Position Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Management: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of underwriters, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment both onshore and offshore.
• Stakeholder Partnership: Partner closely with internal stakeholders and Plan Sponsors to ensure the delivery of exceptional underwriting services, strengthening relationships and enhancing client satisfaction.
  Strategy Development: Develop and implement underwriting strategies to support the growth and profitability of the group benefits portfolio for small businesses in Canada.
• Financial & Service Performance: Monitor and analyze financial and service performance for the Small Business group benefits portfolio, proactively adjusting strategies as needed to achieve financial and service targets.
• Risk Assessment: Oversee the assessment and evaluation of risk for new and renewal business, ensuring adherence to underwriting guidelines and risk tolerance.
• Underwriting Transformation: Develop and execute a comprehensive underwriting transformation strategy focused on Small and Mid-Size Plan Sponsors. Innovate through the design, development, and implementation of new ideas, programs, and technologies.
• Process Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery in underwriting operations.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and internal policies, upholding the highest standards of integrity and governance.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in group benefits underwriting, with at least 5 years in a leadership role, preferably within the small business segment.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of studies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of the Canadian Group Insurance market and regulatory environment.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful underwriting strategies.
• Experience leading large IT transformation projects, with a focus on integrating technology into underwriting operations.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions with proven knowledge of funding arrangements, complex risk analysis, and financial reporting concepts.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders at all levels and/or participate and influence external client presentations.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

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.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [email protected].

Waterloo, OntarioHybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$100,950.00 CAD - $181,710.00 CAD

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [email protected] for the salary range for your location. 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. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

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 [email protected] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.