Job Purpose To support the management of life insurance underwriting and operations by assisting in supervising the team, ensuring efficient processing of group and individual life business, quotations, endorsements, and service requests, and maintaining high standards of accuracy, compliance, and customer service. The role supports the development of team members, ensures adherence to regulatory and internal requirements, contributes to system implementation initiatives, and drives the achievement of business objectives and portfolio profitability through effective coordination, reporting and operational excellence. Also support the Life Underwriting function by assessing and evaluating life insurance applications, ensuring sound risk selection in accordance with underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements, and company policies. The role also assists in managing underwriting operations, mentoring junior executives and underwriters, improving underwriting processes, and contributing to the achievement of the company's risk and business objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities

Underwriting Responsibilities

• Evaluate life insurance applications for Individual and Group life and determine appropriate underwriting decisions within delegated authority limits.
• Assess medical, financial, occupational, and lifestyle risks using underwriting guidelines and risk assessment tools.
• Review medical reports, laboratory results, financial documents, and other supporting information required for underwriting decisions.
• Determine premium ratings, exclusions, policy terms, postponements, or declines based on assessed risk.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy in underwriting decisions while maintaining service standards and turnaround times.
• Liaise with medical professionals, reinsurers, brokers, agents, and internal stakeholders for additional information and complex case assessments.
• Prepare and present facultative reinsurance submissions for cases exceeding retention limits.
• Maintain underwriting records and documentation in compliance with regulatory and audit requirements.
• Monitor early claims experience and underwriting quality indicators to identify trends and potential risks.

Operational & Supervisory Responsibilities

• Support the Manager in overseeing day to day underwriting operations.
• Review and approve underwriting decisions made by junior underwriters within delegated authority levels.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to underwriting staff.
• Assist in workload allocation and monitoring productivity to ensure service level agreements (SLAs) are achieved.
• Participate in developing and updating underwriting manuals, guidelines, and standard operating procedures.
• Support underwriting audits and ensure compliance with internal controls and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Sales, Customer Service, Claims, and Operations teams to resolve underwriting-related issues.
• Review and process life quotations, endorsements, and renewals, ensuring timely and accurate delivery aligned with business requirements.
• Monitor and support credit life underwriting activities to maintain efficiency and consistency.
• Ensure all underwriting and operational transactions comply with company policies, regulatory standards, and KYC/AML requirements.
• Support the implementation and enhancement of the Life core system and digital initiatives in coordination with IT and relevant stakeholders.
• Address and resolve customer, bank, and broker inquiries and complaints promptly and professionally.
• Maintain service excellence by adhering to turnaround times (TAT) for underwriting decisions, quotations, and customer requests.
• Prepare and submit periodic operational, underwriting, and performance reports to management within agreed timelines.
• Support the development of team members through coaching, training, and performance feedback.
• Ensure accuracy in all processes and minimize operational errors and delays.
• Support audit processes and ensure readiness by maintaining proper documentation and adherence to internal controls.

Strategic & Process Improvement Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to improve underwriting efficiency and customer experience.
• Assist in implementing underwriting automation, digital underwriting, Life system and process enhancement initiatives.
• Analyze underwriting trends, portfolio performance, and risk indicators to support management reporting.
• Contribute to product development and pricing discussions by providing underwriting insights and risk assessments.
• Support implementation of regulatory changes and industry best practices in underwriting operations.
• Any other tasks as assigned

Desired Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Professional insurance qualification (CERT CII or equivalent) is mandatory
• Minimum 5 years of experience in life insurance underwriting or operations.
• Strong knowledge of life insurance products, underwriting principles, reinsurance, and compliance requirements.
• Prior supervisory or team-management experience is an advantage.

Competencies

• Technical Knowledge
• Leadership & People Management
• Attention to Detail & Accuracy
• Analytical & Problem-Solving
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Customer Focus
• Compliance & Risk Awareness