Director, Underwriting Strategy and Planning
Top Benefits
About the role
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.
The Opportunity: 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.
The Director, Underwriting Strategy and Planning is a pivotal member of the Individual Underwriting leadership team. The successful candidate will bring curiosity, a strategic lens, and proven leadership. If this sounds like you, apply today!
Join one of the region’s top employers and be part of something that truly makes a difference.
Work Arrangements: This is a hybrid role. You will work in our office in Waterloo, ON a minimum of two (2) assigned, consecutive days every other week, plus a fifth (5th) assigned day per month. You are welcome to work from the office more than the minimum requirement, and there may be some roles that are required to work in our office more than the minimum requirement.
What you’ll do:
- Lead strategic initiatives in Individual Underwriting
- Drive the use of data in underwriting, in rules engines, business and predictive analytics, and potential new sources of data
- Develop and drive key management results, based on insights from business intelligence
- Develop and manage the annual underwriting budget, working closely with VP underwriting on understanding and managing key drivers
- Ensuring all initiatives align with expected mortality and morbidity, regulatory, ethical, and operational risk frameworks.
- Develop change management plans, work with Underwriting and Individual Insurance leaders to ensure smooth execution of strategic initiatives
What you’ll bring:
- Strong background of 5 or more years in risk, data, and insurance modernization initiatives
- University degree with a focus on social or actuarial science, risk management
- Strong knowledge of various underwriting risk management tools, including analytics, rules engines, and traditional requirements
- Proficiency with business and data analytics – working with various systems such as BI dashboards
- Creative and curious mindset
- Proven leadership & change management experience
- Prior underwriting innovation or actuarial/risk-based innovation experience
- Key attention to detail and strong financial acumen experience working with a complex budget
- Strategic mindset with excellent relationship management skills
- Ability to influence and thrive in a cross-functional environment
- Established presentation and public speaking skills
- Demonstrated excellence in time management and prioritization skills
- Proficiency in all MS Office products
- Experience working with external partners and vendors
What’s in it for you:
- 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
At Equitable, we’re committed to fair pay and an inclusive, accessible hiring experience. If you need accommodations or alternative formats at any stage, just reach out to us at careers@equitable.ca, we’re happy to help.
Your base pay will be based on your skills, qualifications, experience, and education. In addition to your salary, this role is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive award tied to business performance, plus a wide range of competitive benefits.
If you’re selected to move forward, our Talent Acquisition team will walk you through all the details of our total rewards program, so you know exactly what’s included.
Reports To: Underwriting and Claims Vice President
Department: Individual Insurance
Term: Permanent Full-Time
This position is open and we are excited to find the right person to join our team.
As part of the recruitment process, you will need to go through background screening, as per our company policy.
#LI-Hybrid
Not the right fit? Search for Director, Underwriting Strategy and Planning jobs in Waterloo, ON
About Equitable
At Equitable our belief in the power of working together guides how we work with each other. How we help our clients and partners. And how we support the communities where we live and work. Together, with partners and advisors across Canada, we offer Individual Insurance, Group Insurance and Savings and Retirement solutions. For Equitable Life’s terms of use for this site, please visit: https://www.equitable.ca/en/legal.aspx
But we're not your typical financial services company. We have the knowledge, experience and ability to find solutions that work for you. We're friendly, caring and interested in helping. And we're owned by our participating policyholders, not shareholders. So we can focus on your interests and provide you with personalized service, security and wellbeing.
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Director, Underwriting Strategy and Planning
Top Benefits
About the role
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.
The Opportunity: 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.
The Director, Underwriting Strategy and Planning is a pivotal member of the Individual Underwriting leadership team. The successful candidate will bring curiosity, a strategic lens, and proven leadership. If this sounds like you, apply today!
Join one of the region’s top employers and be part of something that truly makes a difference.
Work Arrangements: This is a hybrid role. You will work in our office in Waterloo, ON a minimum of two (2) assigned, consecutive days every other week, plus a fifth (5th) assigned day per month. You are welcome to work from the office more than the minimum requirement, and there may be some roles that are required to work in our office more than the minimum requirement.
What you’ll do:
- Lead strategic initiatives in Individual Underwriting
- Drive the use of data in underwriting, in rules engines, business and predictive analytics, and potential new sources of data
- Develop and drive key management results, based on insights from business intelligence
- Develop and manage the annual underwriting budget, working closely with VP underwriting on understanding and managing key drivers
- Ensuring all initiatives align with expected mortality and morbidity, regulatory, ethical, and operational risk frameworks.
- Develop change management plans, work with Underwriting and Individual Insurance leaders to ensure smooth execution of strategic initiatives
What you’ll bring:
- Strong background of 5 or more years in risk, data, and insurance modernization initiatives
- University degree with a focus on social or actuarial science, risk management
- Strong knowledge of various underwriting risk management tools, including analytics, rules engines, and traditional requirements
- Proficiency with business and data analytics – working with various systems such as BI dashboards
- Creative and curious mindset
- Proven leadership & change management experience
- Prior underwriting innovation or actuarial/risk-based innovation experience
- Key attention to detail and strong financial acumen experience working with a complex budget
- Strategic mindset with excellent relationship management skills
- Ability to influence and thrive in a cross-functional environment
- Established presentation and public speaking skills
- Demonstrated excellence in time management and prioritization skills
- Proficiency in all MS Office products
- Experience working with external partners and vendors
What’s in it for you:
- 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
At Equitable, we’re committed to fair pay and an inclusive, accessible hiring experience. If you need accommodations or alternative formats at any stage, just reach out to us at careers@equitable.ca, we’re happy to help.
Your base pay will be based on your skills, qualifications, experience, and education. In addition to your salary, this role is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive award tied to business performance, plus a wide range of competitive benefits.
If you’re selected to move forward, our Talent Acquisition team will walk you through all the details of our total rewards program, so you know exactly what’s included.
Reports To: Underwriting and Claims Vice President
Department: Individual Insurance
Term: Permanent Full-Time
This position is open and we are excited to find the right person to join our team.
As part of the recruitment process, you will need to go through background screening, as per our company policy.
#LI-Hybrid
Not the right fit? Search for Director, Underwriting Strategy and Planning jobs in Waterloo, ON
About Equitable
At Equitable our belief in the power of working together guides how we work with each other. How we help our clients and partners. And how we support the communities where we live and work. Together, with partners and advisors across Canada, we offer Individual Insurance, Group Insurance and Savings and Retirement solutions. For Equitable Life’s terms of use for this site, please visit: https://www.equitable.ca/en/legal.aspx
But we're not your typical financial services company. We have the knowledge, experience and ability to find solutions that work for you. We're friendly, caring and interested in helping. And we're owned by our participating policyholders, not shareholders. So we can focus on your interests and provide you with personalized service, security and wellbeing.