[Hiring] Manager, Underwriting @Sagen

Role Description

The Manager, Underwriting provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and people management for the underwriting team within the National Underwriting Centre. This role is responsible for driving underwriting excellence, managing capacity, optimizing processes, and fostering strong cross-functional relationships with lender partners, Sales, Risk, and IT. Serving as a key link between operational risk and client relationship management, the Manager ensures high-quality credit decisioning aligned with the company’s risk appetite and service-level agreements.

This position is being posted to fill a new position recently created.

Operational Excellence & Risk Management

• Manage end-to-end underwriting processes, implementing solutions, tools, and technology to continuously enhance efficiency, accuracy, and operational capabilities.
• Partner with the Director, Underwriting Operations to develop and execute the department’s strategic plan, operational priorities, and key projects.
• Serve as a dedicated underwriting escalation point for lending underwriting centres, delivering timely, risk-aligned guidance on complex files and lender needs.
• Ensure underwriting teams apply effective judgment and adhere strictly to established risk appetites, credit guidelines, and regulatory frameworks.

People Leadership & Performance Management

• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and directional support to Underwriters in the National Underwriting Centre.
• Oversee all core people management activities, including recruitment, onboarding, ongoing employee development, performance management, compensation planning, and issue resolution.
• Maintain and manage a dynamic capacity plan to ensure proper staffing across teams to meet business volumes and SLA targets.
• Guide direct reports in setting, monitoring, and achieving team performance targets through coaching, training, and continuous feedback.

Relationship Management & Partner Engagement

• Partner closely with regional sales teams through regular customer visits and a structured meeting cadence to strengthen relationships, understand client priorities, and deliver value-added service.
• Develop and deliver tailored presentations for lender partners using underwriting trends, data insights, and service metrics.
• Build and maintain trusted advisor relationships with internal operational, credit, Risk, and IT leaders to foster alignment and support broader organizational goals.
• Act as a strong advocate for both internal and external customers, gathering lender feedback to drive meaningful process enhancements and elevate overall service levels.

Strategic Projects & Cross-Functional Support

• Lead the execution of functional and cross-functional projects and initiatives aimed at improving underwriting technology and workflows.
• Provide expert decision-making support and underwriting perspective across cross-functional workgroups.
• Perform other related duties and strategic projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience in Mortgage Operations Management with particular emphasis on managing a high volume, dynamic operations environment.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Strong Operations and People Leadership experience with large and diverse teams, focusing on skills development.
• Strong process and analytical skills and experience with underwriting tools and technology.
• Project management and influencing skills to deliver qualified business results.
• Strategic thinker with ability to challenge the status quo and drive change.
• Ability to build strong relationships, work collaboratively and resolve problems with people at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent negotiation, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong business acumen and judgment.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Annual performance bonus.
• Medical and dental benefits.
• Company funded pension plan.
• Matching RRSP, TFSA and/or Non-registered Savings Plans.
• Work from anywhere days.
• An environment that creates a sense of belonging to inspire you to be your very best.

Company Description

Sagen is Canada’s leading private mortgage insurance company making home ownership more accessible to first time homebuyers. For the past 30 years we have been focused on being the most trusted partner for lenders and brokers. Our expertise in superior customer service, thought leadership, and industry knowledge has allowed us to be a driving force for our most important stakeholder, our valued customers. Our best-in-class team across the country work tirelessly to make every deal the most important deal. We are 100% Canadian-owned and believe in helping all Canadians achieve their dream of homeownership. Sagen’s collaborative culture inspires our people to be authentic and curious while pursuing excellence in what they do.