Lead of Underwriting Transformation and Modernization

Guardian Life Insurance

2d•Remote

About The Position

Do you want to shape the future of life underwriting and lead the organization through a modernization journey? As the Lead of Underwriting Transformation and Modernization, you will drive the transformation of Guardian’s life underwriting ecosystem, including technology modernization, workflow redesign, automation, digital underwriting capabilities, and the adoption of next-generation tools. You will champion innovation while aligning with our values of We do the right thing, We believe people count, We courageously shape our future together, and We go above and beyond for the people we serve. You are A forward-thinking transformation leader who inspires change, leads through ambiguity, and thrives at the intersection of underwriting, technology, and strategy. You influence stakeholders across functions, reconcile competing priorities, and make decisions that shape the long-term future of underwriting. You have Proven experience leading underwriting modernization or transformation efforts, such as system enhancements, workflow redesign, automation, underwriting engine improvements, or adoption of digital tools. Deep life underwriting experience, including oversight of large dollar amount, complex, impaired‑risk, and escalated cases requiring senior‑level judgment. Experience developing and implementing strategic plans, budgets, and policies to achieve business objectives. Strong familiarity with underwriting technologies and data sources, and the ability to work with Technology and Product teams to evolve system capabilities. Strong knowledge of underwriting guidelines, risk assessment, and regulatory requirements. Experience leading and developing underwriting managers, including oversight of cases above individual retention levels that require advanced judgment and senior‑level underwriting expertise. Experience collaborating with reinsurance partners, including applying treaty provisions, navigating facultative submissions, and resolving complex treaty‑related case questions. Minimum 10+ years of life underwriting experience, including oversight of high dollar cases, complex and impaired-risk cases, appeals, facultative submissions, and escalations requiring senior-level judgement.

Requirements

Proven experience leading underwriting modernization or transformation efforts, such as system enhancements, workflow redesign, automation, underwriting engine improvements, or adoption of digital tools.
Deep life underwriting experience, including oversight of large dollar amount, complex, impaired‑risk, and escalated cases requiring senior‑level judgment.
Experience developing and implementing strategic plans, budgets, and policies to achieve business objectives.
Strong familiarity with underwriting technologies and data sources, and the ability to work with Technology and Product teams to evolve system capabilities.
Strong knowledge of underwriting guidelines, risk assessment, and regulatory requirements.
Experience leading and developing underwriting managers, including oversight of cases above individual retention levels that require advanced judgment and senior‑level underwriting expertise.
Experience collaborating with reinsurance partners, including applying treaty provisions, navigating facultative submissions, and resolving complex treaty‑related case questions.
Minimum 10+ years of life underwriting experience, including oversight of high dollar cases, complex and impaired-risk cases, appeals, facultative submissions, and escalations requiring senior-level judgement.

Responsibilities

Lead underwriting transformation initiatives, guiding modernization of systems, tools, workflow design, and digital underwriting capabilities to support Guardian’s future state operating model.
Oversee the Underwriting Transformation Specialists, setting direction, prioritizing modernization work, and ensuring new capabilities are successfully implemented and adopted across underwriting teams.
Direct life underwriting operations across multiple teams, setting priorities and allocating resources to align with business objectives.
Champion adoption of modern underwriting tools and processes, ensuring seamless integration into daily workflows.
Build and maintain strong relationships with reinsurance partners, ensuring effective treaty application, resolving complex facultative issues, and collaborating on process improvements.
Strengthen partnerships with distribution leaders, agencies, and field partners to ensure alignment and service excellence.
Develop and communicate strategic plans and budgets, ensuring operational execution and alignment with corporate goals.
Provide leadership to subordinate people leaders, coaching and developing talent to build a high-performing organization.
Oversee underwriting-related reporting, including operational dashboards, capacity and productivity metrics, and risk reporting in partnership with underwriting risk teams.
Partner with Claims to understand and monitor claims exposure, trends, and root-cause insights relevant to underwriting practices and mortality expectations.
Ensure operational excellence, including adherence to underwriting guidelines, quality standards, and regulatory compliance.
Resolve systemic impediments to excellence, ensuring customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Negotiate key agreements and manage vendor relationships to support underwriting modernization and risk governance.