Intermediate/Senior Underwriter

Sun Life•Waterloo, ON

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

As an Intermediate Underwriter/Senior Underwriter, you will join one of Canada’s largest insurers. We are recognized not only for our strength in the market, but also for our commitment to our employees. We offer various paths for advancement, including individual life insurance, health insurance, risk management, people management, innovation, and field sales. In addition, we have a strong mentorship program so you can learn from other experienced underwriters. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career journey, while being supported in an environment that values its people, their ambitions, and expertise, this is where you belong. Life is brighter under the sun. By joining our team at Sun Life, you can expect: A hybrid work environment, offering you the best of in-office collaboration and the flexibility of working from home. Flexible benefits from your first day, meeting your needs and those of your loved ones. Our share ownership program and pension plan give you the opportunity to invest in Sun Life through company matching contribution opportunities. An annual bonus based on company performance and individual performance. Paid vacation based on experience, 5 care days available to take care of yourself or others (e.g., your family or others you may support), and 10 personal sick days to support your well-being. Our unique sabbatical program gives you the opportunity to take up to 6 weeks of leave every 5 years. An investment in non-profit organizations that matter to you. A maternity/paternity leave salary top-up program so you can focus on your growing family.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience as an individual life insurance underwriter
Existing signing authority in life insurance and critical illness insurance
Analytical skills, judgment, problem solving, and decision making
Influencing and negotiation skills
Knowledge of medicine and risk factors
Service-oriented attitude and interpersonal skills allowing you to work collaboratively with our internal and external partners
Demonstrated ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure while prioritizing multiple tasks
Specialized training: ALU certificate (or commitment to obtain it), with the goal of obtaining the Fellow, Academy of Life Underwriting (FALU) and Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI) designations

Responsibilities

Analyze medical, personal, and financial information to assess eligibility for life insurance and critical illness insurance applications, relying on quantitative and qualitative data to make informed decisions
Assess and classify risk using underwriting guidelines and your professional judgment; obtain additional information (e.g., medical evidence) or refer files as needed
Make timely and well-founded decisions within your authority and submit files that exceed those limits for co-signature
Collaborate with reinsurers to negotiate the best possible outcomes for complex or adverse decisions
Engage internal partners, business leaders, and advisors to deliver an advisor- and client-focused experience grounded in expertise, empathy, and trust
Communicate decisions clearly and confidently to advisors and, when necessary, to clients’ physicians — explaining the rationale in a respectful, transparent, and easy-to-understand way
Respond to inquiries from advisors and managing general agents while protecting confidentiality
Document decisions and related rationales, ensuring notes are clear and concise and demonstrate a thoughtful assessment of risk
Promote continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve underwriting quality, efficiency, and consistency. Also contribute ideas that support innovation, automation, and better outcomes for clients, advisors, and Sun Life
Maintain strong medical knowledge and stay current on underwriting approaches, trends, and risk factors