Underwriting Operations Lead

Waypoint; Burnaby; Hybrid; CAD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Navacord in British Columbia is seeking an Underwriting Operations Lead to guide the in-house Property & Casualty underwriting platform, ensuring service excellence, regulatory compliance, efficiency, and profitable growth across the BC region.

This hybrid role (Burnaby primary or Vancouver) emphasizes leadership of underwriting operations, data-driven decision making, and collaboration with brokers, insurers and corporate functions to launch new products while managing budgets and capacity.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience underwriting commercial P&C insurance.
• Strong leadership with a track record across multiple lines.
• Ability to analyze complex information and develop underwriting strategies.
• Experience navigating heavily regulated environments with compliance.
• Proven ability to manage relationships with brokers and distribution partners.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting operations strategy, execution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee service delivery, workflow management, quality assurance, and operational performance across underwriting with DUA management.
• Drive technology adoption, process automation, and data-driven decision-making to enhance productivity.
• Ensure compliance with DUA and regulatory requirements, guidelines, and internal controls; lead updates to the control framework.
• Develop operational metrics, dashboards, and reporting to measure performance, efficiency, and service standards.
• Manage operational team, budgets, project resource planning, and capacity management to support growth.
• Partner with underwriting, business development, insurer partners, and corporate functions to align operational capabilities and launch new products.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Communication

Negotiation

Change management

Cross‑functional collaboration

Time management

Presentation skills

Risk assessment

Education

CIP/FCIP designation

Job description

The Underwriting Operations Lead is responsible for the operational leadership, scalability, and governance of the organization's in-house Property & Casualty underwriting platform. Working closely with BC Region Enterprise operations and alongside the other Underwriting leaders within property & casualty and business development, the role ensures underwriting operations deliver exceptional service, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and support profitable growth.

This is a hybrid role with the flexibility to work in-office or in-branch based on the needs of the role and/or as required by management. Preference will be given to candidates that can work hybrid in Burnaby (primary) or Vancouver. Occasional travel in BC may be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operations Management & Performance

• Lead underwriting operations strategy, execution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee service delivery, workflow management, quality assurance, and operational performance across the underwriting function with specific responsibility for ongoing technical DUA management and support.
• Drive technology adoption, process automation, and data-driven decision-making to enhance productivity and client experience.
• Ensure compliance with DUA and regulatory requirements, DUA guidelines, and internal controls. Lead ongoing updates to control framework resulting from audit recommendations.
• Develop operational metrics, dashboards, and reporting to measure performance, efficiency, and service standards.
• Manage operational team, budgets, project resource planning, and earthquake aggregate capacity management to support business growth.

Leadership & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Build and lead high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with underwriting, business development, insurer partners, and corporate functions to align operational capabilities and operationally launch/deliver new products with strategic objectives.

Additional duties and responsibilities may be added during the course of employment.

Requirements:

• 10+ years experience underwriting commercial P&C insurance.
• Strong leadership skills with a successful track record in various lines of insurance.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information and develop effective underwriting strategies.
• Skill in navigating a heavily regulated environment while ensuring compliance.
• High-level preparation and deep knowledge of current and future trends in property and casualty insurance.
• A proven track record of generating strong and sustainable business outcomes over the long term.
• Proven experience building and managing relationships with major brokers and distribution partners.
• Deep knowledge of P&C policy wordings and claims implications, particularly for complex property risks.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills with a profitability mindset and disciplined risk selection approach.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams with a focus on cross-selling and account rounding.
• Effective at change management and adapting to new systems and processes.
• Strong communication, negotiation, organizational, time management and presentation skills.
• Post-secondary and Insurance designations (CIP, FCIP) or equivalent are considered assets.
• Experience mentoring or leading others preferred.

Navacord is deeply committed to fostering a workplace that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We honour and respect the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of all individuals. We actively encourage women, Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ2+ persons to apply.

If you require accommodations during the recruitment process or in the workplace due to a disability or other needs, please let us know. We will work with you to ensure the necessary arrangements are in place to support.

The salary range for this role is $135,000 to $160,000 per year plus bonus. Compensation is determined by a combination of factors including a candidate’s experience, job-specific knowledge, and skills. Internal equity to ensure fairness across the organization and region/location is also considered.