The posting
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. At Equitable, we believe that growth thrives in an environment where people feel supported, valued, and empowered. That’s why we’re committed to offering meaningful opportunities that align with our values and your aspirations. In this role, you’ll find more than just a job, you’ll discover a place where your development is thoughtfully nurtured, your contributions are recognized, and your potential is continuously encouraged through purposeful work and ongoing learning. As part of our commitment to internal mobility, priority will be given to permanent internal applicants. Join one of the region’s top employers and be part of something that truly makes a difference. Work Arrangements: You will work from your home office 100% of the time. You may be required to be in-person at our office in Waterloo, ON or another assigned location within the Waterloo Region, on an as needed basis. Sales related roles may be required to travel based on the assignment. What you’ll do:
Support the ongoing development of the Underwriting team through coaching, mentoring and education, including developing and leading Case Clinics and other educational opportunities. Foster a positive, collaborative and inclusive culture within Underwriting, leading by example and supporting an environment of continuous learning, accountability and professional development. Identify emerging underwriting risks, gaps, omissions and activities that could expose Equitable to unnecessary operational risk. Conduct analysis and provide recommendations to the Director, Risk Management and Chief Underwriter to support effective risk mitigation. Drive continuous enhancement of underwriting infrastructure, philosophy and governance, working collaboratively with the Underwriting Strategy and Innovation Team, with a focus on modernizing the underwriting risk framework, supporting sound, consistent risk assessment and risk mitigation measures. Be accountable for documentation of medical evidence and Underwriting Opinions for Claims, while contributing underwriting expertise to the ongoing development and improvement of claims processes, working collaboratively with the Claims Team. Audit and monitor underwriting performance and decision quality to ensure mortality and morbidity assessments are appropriate to the risk and that underwriting processes and file documentation meet standards. Manage and oversee rescission reviews, providing underwriting expertise and contributing to the continued development and enhancement of rescission processes. Manage High Risk Advisor and High Risk Client file reviews, collaborating with Compliance and Advisor and Sales Practices Risk Monitoring to investigate concerns, analyze findings and recommend appropriate risk mitigation strategies. Oversee the development, maintenance and governance of Underwriting Policies and Procedures documentation across the Individual Insurance and Risk Management SharePoint sites, ensuring information remains current, clear and accessible. Provide underwriting leadership and subject matter expertise to cross-functional teams, portfolio projects and strategic initiatives by conducting through analysis and presenting clear findings and recommendations to the Leader of Risk Management, Chief Underwriter, and key project stakeholders. Provide support to the Underwriting team as required to help achieve production and service objectives while maintaining underwriting quality and risk standards. Ensure compliance with applicable legislative and consumer regulatory requirements and reinsurance treaties, including requirements related to privacy, disclosure and risk classification. Manage MIB Dispute inquiries to ensure compliance with our duties and responsibilities as an MIB partner are maintained.
What you’ll bring:
Exceptional technical expertise in Life and Critical Illness underwriting and risk assessment. Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex risks and make sound, well-reasoned decisions. A thorough understanding of the industry and a big-picture perspective, balancing appropriate risk management with business needs while aligning with Equitable’s philosophy and guiding principles of Care, Passion and Curiosity. A high degree of integrity, professionalism and sound judgment in everything you do. The ability to thrive in a dynamic environment, adapting effectively to evolving business needs and shifting priorities. An owner’s mindset, with a strong commitment to achieving individual, Risk Management Team and Underwriting Team goals. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively. 10+ years of progressive professional experience as a Life and Critical Illness Underwriter, ideally including experience with audits, claims reviews, rescissions, large cases and complex risk analysis. FALU, FLMI and/or CPU designation, or active progression toward one or more of these designations. A demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development, including opportunities within Equitable as well as external development through reinsurance partners, industry peers and professional associations. Bilingualism or multilingualism in English, French, Cantonese and/or Mandarin is considered an asset.
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
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 [email protected]. We’re happy to help. 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. This position is open and we are excited to find the right person to join our team. Your base pay will be based on your skills, qualifications, experience and education. At Equitable, your resume will be reviewed by real people and all hiring decisions are made by our recruiters and hiring managers. AI tools may be used to support administrative and productivity tasks throughout the recruitment process, but we believe that evaluating experience, skills, and talent potential requires meaningful human interaction. As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure and trusted workplace, candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be required to complete a background screening in accordance with company policy. Reports To: Director, Risk ManagementDepartment: Individual Insurance Term: Permanent Full-Time Location: Ontario
