Senior Underwriter - Group
Date: Apr 4, 2024
Location: North York - Toronto, ON (Hybr, CA Winnipeg, MB (Hybrid), CA
Company: Wawanesa Insurance
Job ID: 7848
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: $75,000 - $85,000. Candidates with salary expectations outside of the range are still encouraged to apply.
About Us
At Wawanesa, we’re proud to 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; Toronto, ON
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company (“Wawanesa Mutual”), founded in 1896, is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, with over $3.5 billion in annual revenue and assets of $10 billion (CAD). Wawanesa Mutual, with its National Headquarters in Winnipeg, is the parent company of Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance products and services throughout Canada, and Western Financial Group, which distributes personal and business insurance across Canada. Wawanesa proudly serves more than 1.7 million members in Canada, and we are home to more than 3,600 employees distributed across the Canadian regions and communities where we operate. We give back to organizations that strengthen communities, donating more than $3.5 million annually to charitable organizations, including over $2 million annually in support of people on the front lines of climate change. To learn more visit wawanesa.com.
We are currently looking for dedicated, driven, and enthusiastic individuals who thrive in an environment that welcomes change and are looking for an opportunity for diverse experience and advancement on a growing team.
Job Overview
Working under minimal supervision, the Senior Underwriter - Group is responsible for analyzing the acceptability of complex and high premium business according to company guidelines by working collaboratively with our sales team and providing value added expertise and service to both potential and existing policyholders, in response to quote inquiries, renewal ratings and requests for changes to insurance coverage.
Job Responsibilities
- Perform risk analysis using group underwriting principles and tools as well as external data sources for the purposes of quoting, negotiating, and authorizing the acceptance of risk
- Review complex group insurance requests for quotations and underwriting requirements to evaluate the degree of risk involved through assessment of claim history, occupational hazards, financial background, insurable interest and other information pertinent to the decision, for both the Traditional and Specialty lines of business
- Determine eligibility for policy renewals based on company guidelines and retention targets
- Communicate decisions and respond to brokers, agents, and third party distributors requests in a prompt and professional manner
- Provide excellent customer service and build positive relationships with internal and external clients
- Maintain an excellent understanding of rating procedures, wordings, underwriting policies and regulations
- Act as a subject matter expert on Traditional and Specialty insurance policies, processes, regulations, and audit
- Mentor less experienced team members and plan and present training material and sessions
- Participate in periodic work reviews for quality assurance purposes.
- Support the development and implementation of transformational change.
- Maintain positive working relationships with internal and external parties, including networking at industry events.
- Influence team members in a positive manner and provide short term direction effectively working towards team goals
- Work effectively towards the department Key performance indicator (KPI) goals of the team
- Communicate with reinsurance partners about special situation and additional risk acceptance where appropriate
- Comfortable handling distribution partner relationships
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Post-secondary education or related business experience
- Five years of Group/Specialty underwriting experience in progressively senior roles
- Completed Group Benefits Associate (GBA) and actively pursuing Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) Designation
- Advanced understanding of group insurance principles
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
- Excellent attention to detail with the ability to review information carefully and comprehensively
- Strong mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify, develop and implement appropriate solutions
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present information in a convincing manner
- Strong time management skills with the ability to handle changing priorities and fluctuating work volumes to meet deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal, customer service and conflict resolution skills.
- Excellent decision-making skills with the ability to provide justification.
- Ability to multi-task and monitor progress to meet deadlines.
- Ability to adapt to change and perform effectively under pressure.
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Wawanesa is proud to be one of Manitoba’s Top Employers, a Kincentric Best Employer in Canada and a Forbes Best Employer in Canada recognizing an exceptional place to work!
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Wawanesa is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that is equitable and inclusive for all. Wawanesa provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to an individual’s protected status: race/ethnicity, colour, religion, creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, pregnancy/childbirth or related conditions, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, or any other protected status. Disability or medical-related accommodations are available upon request throughout all aspects of the recruitment and selection process. Candidates requiring reasonable accommodations may contact, in confidence, jobs@wawanesa.com.
If you are interested in this exciting, challenging position with Wawanesa, apply today with your Resume.
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