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Reporting to the VP, Chief Underwriter, the Director leads a team of underwriting specialists and helps translate Canada Life’s underwriting philosophy into consistent underwriting outcomes through guidelines, expert co-signing, coaching, mentoring, support and measurable business outcomes.

The role balances speed, judgement and trust: removing friction from routine decisions, strengthening expert capability for complex cases, and ensuring every outcome is consistent, defensible and aligned with risk appetite.

The Director partners across Insurance Solutions, Insurance Operations - New Business & Underwriting, Client Service, Technology, Product, Pricing, Reinsurance, Claims, Legal, Compliance, Distribution and Management Information to improve underwriter, advisor and client experiences while protecting the company and its policyholders.

What you will do

Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team of underwriting specialists, setting clear expectations for quality, service, collaboration, learning and accountability

Oversee co-signs, consultations, escalations and complex underwriting matters, ensuring decisions align with signing authorities, guidelines, treaty terms and Canada Life’s risk appetite

Use quality reviews, spot checks, process audits, claims outcomes, reinsurance feedback, referral patterns and service data to identify capability gaps and strengthen underwriting practice

Improve cycle time by reducing avoidable evidence, referrals and rework without weakening appropriate controls or expert oversight

Build a closed-loop learning system that converts quality reviews,



claims, litigation, treaty outcomes, advisor feedback and underwriter experience into stronger co-signs, consults, coaching and decisions

Lead timely review and implementation of underwriting policy and guideline changes, including explicit communications, training and operational readiness

Partner with Distribution and Insurance Operations to explain underwriting approaches, support complex or sensitive cases and improve transparency for advisors and clients

Monitor emerging medical, financial, avocational, regulatory, technology and market risks and provide evidence-based recommendations to leadership

Own applicable risk and compliance obligations, including control execution, audit support, access reviews, business continuity and timely closure of action plans

Contribute to workforce, succession and capacity planning, including specialist accountability, capability, capacity and progression of signing authorities

What you will bring

Significant individual life underwriting experience, including advanced medical, financial and non-medical risk assessment

Proven people leadership experience, with the ability to coach specialists, manage performance, build succession depth and lead through change





Strong knowledge of underwriting guidelines, signing authorities, reinsurance treaties, retention and jumbo considerations, quality assurance and risk governance

Experience with underwriting automation, rules engines, digital applications, workflow or technology-enabled change

Ability to use data and operational insight to identify trends, test assumptions, prioritize improvements and measure outcomes

Sound judgment and the ability to balance growth, advisor and client experience, operational efficiency, fairness, profitability and risk appetite

Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain complex underwriting decisions and influence senior and cross-functional stakeholders

Demonstrated ability to collaborate across Underwriting, Operations, Product, Pricing, Reinsurance, Claims, Legal, Compliance, Technology and Distribution

Professional insurance education such as FALU, FLMI, LOMA or a related designation is an asset. A university degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred

As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism is an asset (fluent in French and English) but is required for Quebec only as the position will regularly serve our clients with French and English-speaking needs

Given the size and scope of our organization, we have the flexibility for this position to be located across Canada. This role follows a hybrid work model, with an in-office presence required two days per week at the designated office location.

The base salary for

📌 Director, Life Underwriting (Winnipeg)
🏢 The Canada Life Assurance
📍 Winnipeg