[Hiring] US Insurance Lead Product Owner Underwriting @Manulife

Role Description

We are seeking a strategic and innovative Lead Product Owner to support our Underwriting team in transforming the life insurance purchase journey—from application through to policy issuance. This role serves as the voice of both the business and the customer, championing the development and delivery of advanced underwriting capabilities.

• Drives the planning and delivery of key capabilities for the underwriting journey
• Brings a senior-level strategic view and tactical delivery of products or product components, aligned to segment priorities
• Acts as a thought partner to business team members on multi-million-dollar business priorities & initiatives
• Work with subject matter experts across the business unit to lead the development of new insurance underwriting capabilities that range from instant and non-invasive to high-touch, fully underwritten
• Prioritize work, focusing on initiatives generating the most value for the business and driving key outcomes
• Estimate financial and business benefits and track progress towards key results and financial values
• Collaborate with teams to develop innovative, data-driven underwriting solutions and capabilities
• Lead in ensuring value creation for the business, customers, and end-users by owning the squad backlog
• Ensures the roadmap and backlog is visible, clear and understood by stakeholders and team members
• Shared accountability with the Delivery Lead for alignment on release strategy and release content
• Keep abreast of competitor actions and industry trends
• Manage relationships with external vendors, partners and technologies
• Ensure risk and governance requirements are met
• Responsible for leading discussions to communicate recommendations, results and progress to senior leadership

Qualifications

• Experience with projects and large-scale technology implementations
• Experience with communicating requirements and developing test plans
• Advanced knowledge and experience of underwriting risk assessment - medical, non-medical, financial
• Highly engaged: able to self-manage, create solutions, prioritize deliverables and execute projects under deadline pressure
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written (technical) communication skills
• Exceptional collaboration and presentation skills
• Coaching mindset and abilities
• Excellent MS Office Skills, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, knowledge of JIRA/project management tools
• Ability to work across virtual teams and sites
• Occasional travel may be required

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree in science, medical or related field or a minimum of 5 years experience in underwriting-related and/or research experience preferred
• FALU/FLMI an asset

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, mental health, and vision insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and AD&D insurance coverage
• Adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits
• Employee/family assistance plans
• Retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans)
• Global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions
• Financial education and counseling resources
• Generous paid time off program including up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time