Intermediate Underwriter

Company 1 - The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company; Canada; Remote; CAD 71,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Mental health benefits

Vision insurance

Short-term disability coverage

Long-term disability coverage

Life insurance

AD&D insurance coverage

Adoption/surrogacy benefits

Wellness benefits

Employee/family assistance plans

Pension plan

Global share ownership plan with-emple

Job summary

Manulife/John Hancock in Canada seeks an Intermediate Life Underwriter to manage a broad range of life insurance cases within authority. You will assess medical, financial, occupational, and lifestyle information and communicate decisions clearly to advisors and partners.

Bring established underwriting experience, Life signing authority of $1–$2 million, and a customer-focused approach. Remote-friendly, Canada-wide opportunities await with flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Minimum Life underwriting experience with signing authority (1M+).
• Medical risk assessment knowledge and terminology.
• Understanding of financial and non-medical risks in life insurance underwriting.

Responsibilities

• Independently assess and classify life insurance risks within authority.
• Evaluate medical, financial, occupational, avocational, travel and lifestyle information across cases, including moderate impairments.
• Apply sound judgment and document rationale; escalate when needed.

Skills

Life underwriting

Medical risk assessment

Financial risk knowledge

Independent decision making

Analytical thinking

Written/verbal communication

Customer service mindset

Organization and prioritization

MS Word & Excel

Adaptability and learning

Education

LOMA/ALU or equivalent courses

University/college degree in related field

Medical education or experience

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Internet-based applications

Job description

Continue building your career with Manulife’s Individual Insurance team, a leading provider of insurance for Canadian families, individuals, and businesses, recognized for innovative products, service, and professional advice. As an Intermediate Life Underwriter, you’ll bring established underwriting experience and Life signing authority of $1–$2 million. You’ll independently manage a broader range of cases within assigned authority, working with National Accounts, Managing General Agencies (MGAs), and Traditional Producers. Bring your technical knowledge, sound judgment, and customer‑focused approach. You’ll assess more complex risks, communicate decisions confidently, and contribute practical solutions that support customers, advisors, and business outcomes.

Why Underwriting at Manulife

Why Underwriting at Manulife At Manulife, underwriting is where expertise, trust, and impact come together. In this role, you won’t just review files — you’ll own complex, meaningful decisions that help individuals and families secure their financial futures with confidence. You’ll work with innovative underwriting tools and technologies that support strong judgment and better customer outcomes, allowing you to focus on the higher‑value work your expertise is built for. We’re equally invested in your growth. With clear career progression, hands‑on learning alongside experienced peers, and strong support for professional development, Manulife offers an environment where underwriting careers are built for the long term — supported by flexible ways of working and a collaborative, people‑first culture.

What You’ll Do

• Independently assess and classify life insurance risks within assigned authority, following Manulife’s underwriting philosophy, guidelines, and standards.
• Evaluate medical, financial, occupational, avocational, travel, and lifestyle information across a broader range of cases, including moderate impairments.
• Apply sound judgment to underwriting decisions, document your rationale clearly, and refer cases beyond your authority or requiring additional expertise.
• Manage your case workload independently, balancing risk assessment with quality, productivity, and service expectations.
• Communicate requirements and decisions clearly and professionally, helping advisors and internal partners understand the underwriting rationale.
• Build positive working relationships and take ownership of case follow‑ups and service concerns.
• Follow applicable legislation, consumer regulations, privacy requirements, and disclosure standards.
• Share technical knowledge with colleagues and contribute practical ideas to improve processes, consistency, and customer outcomes.

What You’ll Bring

• Demonstrated experience as a Life Underwriter, with a minimum Life signing authority of $1M
• Working knowledge of medical risk assessment, including anatomy, medical terminology, diseases, diagnostic tests, treatments, and medications.
• Sound knowledge of financial and other non‑medical risks and their application to life insurance underwriting.
• Experience assessing a range of cases, including moderate impairments, and making independent decisions within assigned authority.
• Strong analytical, critical‑thinking, and problem‑solving skills, with clear, well‑supported decision rationale.
• The ability to interpret and apply current technical information and recognize when additional guidance or escalation is needed.
• Clear written and verbal communication and the ability to explain underwriting decisions professionally.
• A customer‑service mindset and the ability to build credibility and positive relationships with advisors and internal partners.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and ownership of priorities and turnaround times.
• Comfort with underwriting systems, new business processes, and digital tools, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and internet‑based applications.
• Adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Assets

• Enrollment in or completion of LOMA, ALU, or other insurance‑related courses.
• A university or college degree in a related discipline.
• Medical education, training, or experience.
• Participation in industry meetings, seminars, or conferences.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and French. If the successful candidate is in Québec, proficiency in both languages will be required to support clients from various provinces outside of Quebec.

Career Growth

Through broader case exposure, ongoing learning, and feedback, you’ll continue strengthening your technical expertise, judgment, and ability to manage increasingly complex risks. Development toward a Senior Life Underwriter role will focus on greater case complexity, decision quality, expanded authority, strong advisor relationships, and broader contributions to the team. Progression will depend on demonstrated readiness and business needs, rather than time in role alone.

What Matters to You

Putting customers first by listening, engaging, and acting for their benefit. Learning continuously and finding better ways to work. Taking ownership and achieving results together. Acting with integrity, doing what is right, and speaking up. Supporting a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace.

When you join our team

We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want. We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well‑being and inclusion are more than just words. As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law. It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail].

Salary and Benefits

Location Canada, Full Time Remote Working Arrangement Remote

Salary range is expected to be between $70,500.00 CAD - $117,500.00 CAD. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job‑related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location.

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Mental health benefits
• Vision insurance
• Short‑term disability coverage
• Long‑term disability coverage
• Life insurance
• AD&D insurance coverage
• Adoption/surrogacy benefits
• Wellness benefits
• Employee/family assistance plans
• Pension plan
• Global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions
• Financial education and counseling resources
• Paid time off program, including holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and the full range of statutory leaves of absence

We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources.

Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.