Manager, Group Underwriting

Equitable • Waterloo, ON

25d • Hybrid

About The Position

At Equitable, we believe work should be a place where you feel supported, inspired, and empowered to grow. In our caring and collaborative environment, your curiosity is encouraged, your passion is recognized, and your contributions truly matter. Together, we create meaningful impact, for our clients, our communities, and each other. At Equitable, we believe great things happen when we work together. We’re a Canadian mutual company driven by purpose - putting people first and helping Canadians protect today and prepare for tomorrow. If you’re passionate about making a difference and growing your career in an inclusive and collaborative environment, we’d love to hear from you. Our culture is built on care, passion and curiosity. We put people above all else, strive to be our best and welcome new ideas to deliver positive outcomes. This role provides overall accountability for Group Underwriting operations across the EZBenefits, myFlex, and Traditional distribution streams, ensuring exceptional service, quality, and workflow management for both new and existing business. As the Manager, you will lead and develop a team of Underwriters, oversee performance, capacity, process documentation, and reporting, and drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with divisional priorities. You will also support underwriting needs for all case sizes, including those exceeding 1,000+ lives, across quotes, renewals, amendments, and reconciliations. Join one of the region’s top employers and be part of something that truly makes a difference.

Requirements

• College or University degree or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of Group benefits knowledge and experience including solid knowledge of group products, risk assessment and pricing methodologies
• 5+ years Group Underwriting knowledge including processes, risk assessment, pricing practices and methodologies
• Proven successful management of a professional team
• Strong analytical ability, decision making ability, driver of innovative solutions and able to meet conflicting and challenging deadlines
• Strong Microsoft skills including Word, Excel, Visio and Power Bi.
• Understanding of all funding arrangements (non-refund, refund and administrative services only)
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to Underwriting philosophy, including risk management solutions
• Excellent time management, organization, communication skills, interpersonal skills and negotiation skills
• Process Leader
• A true agent for Change for the right reasons
• Sharing of technical knowledge and learnings acquired through the creation of alternate solutions to customer requests
• Presentation skills
• Ability to create, maintain and enhance tracking tools and reporting techniques
• The provision of timely positive and constructive feedback to team members and implementation of the annual Talent Review and Scorecard process.
• The development and implementation of training plans for new and existing team members.
• Establish and maintain strong level of partnership and collaboration with partners in the Regional Office including service team members, group marketing managers and sales leaders.
• Appreciation of the complexities of the Group benefits marketplace and competition

Nice To Haves

• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (GBA) designation an asset.

Responsibilities

• Overall accountability for Group Underwriting functions supporting all new business within the EZBenefits, myFlex and Traditional case distribution streams
• Supports all levels of Underwriters
• Process and documentation management of for all risk assessment, analysis, rating and proposal generation for business requests (new or existing) received from our Regional Office teams
• The initial quote of our larger most complex opportunities, including the review of risk, analysis of experience and profitability of the case, rating and report generation for all new Equitable group clients
• Ensuring a good risk and fit within that product offering and system limitations
• Ensuring the appropriate review of all requests for alternate costings on new or existing business
• The risk assessment, analysis, rating and proposal generation for the addition of new business divisions to existing clients
• Supporting our partners in the Regional Office in responding to existing case marketings
• Response to Admin and Claim Exception requests that include an element of risk (as outlined in the process documentation)
• Seeking a better way of delivering high quality outputs to our clients
• Setting, tracking and monitoring team budget to continuously gain efficiencies and effectiveness in
• Build and maintain an appropriate dashboard tracking tool to ensure accuracy in workload management as well as weekly, monthly and annual tracking and reporting of progress toward defined targets and goals related to service, accuracy and capacity at individual and team levels
• Budget accountability for their work area
• Responsible for competency gap analysis to identify key performers, those with growth potential and deal with performance management concerns with confidence. This includes full hiring, performance management, salary adjustments and communications
• Active participation and leadership in both team and divisional projects and initiatives.

Benefits

• Career Growth: Regular learning sessions and development opportunities
• Total Rewards: Incentive pay, annual salary reviews, employer-paid benefits and pension matching
• Time Away: Competitive vacation plus one paid volunteer day each year
• Flexibility: Healthy work-life balance with employee wellness always top of mind, complemented by a “dress for your day” approach

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager