Director of Corporate Underwriting

Portage Mutual Careers Centre

11d•$135,000 - $185,000•Remote

About The Position

As the Director of Corporate Underwriting, you’ll play a key leadership role in driving profitable growth and advancing our underwriting capabilities by: • Setting the strategic direction for Commercial, Farm, and Personal Lines portfolios to ensure sustainable performance aligned with company objectives and risk appetite. • Leading underwriting, product strategy, pricing, marketing, and business development initiatives to strengthen portfolio profitability and market position. • Partnering with Head Office and Branch Office leadership to develop and execute enterprise underwriting strategies and standards. • Championing innovation, governance, and consistent underwriting practices across the organization. • Building and leading a high-performing underwriting team through coaching, engagement, and professional development. We’re looking for a collaborative, strategic leader who inspires people, strengthens accountability, and fosters a culture where employees can excel while delivering strong results for the organization.

Requirements

Minimum 10 years of progressive underwriting leadership experience in Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, Farm, or related Property & Casualty disciplines, with a demonstrated track record of influencing portfolio strategy and results.
Proven ability to lead organizational change, drive underwriting excellence, and navigate evolving market conditions and competitive landscapes.
Experience collaborating at senior leadership levels, contributing to enterprise planning, pricing strategy, product development, and governance processes.
Strong understanding of competitor products, wordings, pricing approaches, and risk appetites, enabling informed strategic decisionmaking.
Demonstrated capability in managing crossfunctional initiatives, building consensus, and supporting enterprisewide execution.
Demonstrated ability to translate market insights, portfolio data, and emerging trends into actionable underwriting strategies.
Strong analytical and problemsolving skills, with the ability to assess complex issues, anticipate challenges, and develop solutions that support enterprise goals.
Exceptional communication skills with the ability to articulate strategy, unify stakeholders, and secure alignment through periods of change.
High emotional intelligence, demonstrating empathy, sound judgment, and the ability to build trust across teams and geographies.
Commitment to accuracy, discipline, and consistency in underwriting practices, governance, and risk management.
Ability to lead the creation, refinement, and application of underwriting guidelines, policy wordings, and risk appetite frameworks.
Demonstrated capability to lead, mentor, and develop high‑performing teams, fostering technical excellence and professional growth.
Comfortable coaching others, building capability, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
Proven agility in adapting to new technologies, processes, and industry shifts.
Forward‑thinking mindset with a continuous improvement orientation.
Strong proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and ability to adopt new systems and tools as part of modernization initiatives.
A CIP designation
A Bachelor’s Degree or post-secondary in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of industry experience and education.
Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with emerging underwriting product and industry trends.

Nice To Haves

CRM or FCIP Designations strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute enterprise-wide underwriting strategies that support long-term profitable growth.
Oversee performance of Property & Casualty portfolios, ensuring alignment with risk appetite, reinsurance strategy, and corporate goals.
Partner with senior leadership, branch management, and actuarial teams on pricing, segmentation, and portfolio optimization.
Provide executive oversight of underwriting governance, discipline, compliance, and market competitiveness.
Lead product development and positioning, supporting marketing initiatives and customer relevance in the marketplace.
Establish annual new business plans and growth targets in collaboration with branch and senior leaders.
Serve as the primary authority on underwriting decisions, policy wording interpretation, and referral approvals.
Guide cross-functional collaboration across Claims, Actuarial, Product, Audit, and Branch teams to ensure consistent execution of strategy.
Lead, mentor, and develop the Corporate Underwriting team while strengthening capability and future leadership talent.
Represent the organization with reinsurers, partners, and industry stakeholders, while contributing to strategic initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.