Chief Underwriting Architect: New Business

FWD Malaysia Holdings Sdn Bhd; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

FWD Malaysia Holdings Sdn Bhd is seeking a Senior Underwriting Leader to localise, maintain, and implement underwriting policies for FWDIB and FWDT. You will ensure alignment with risk appetite, local regulations, and Group Standards while guiding the underwriting department toward efficient, compliant operations.

You will oversee daily processes, escalate when needed, provide portfolio insights to actuarial and product teams, and monitor industry trends to adjust strategy.

Qualifications

• Degree in Medicine, Biomedicine and/or relevant sciences or 15+ years in Life Insurance with at least 5 years in a senior underwriting leadership role.
• Life Insurance knowledge of products for individual and group.
• Knowledge of local regulations and compliance in life insurance underwriting
• Able to leverage technology for operations efficiency
• Strong communication, leadership and analytical skills

Responsibilities

• Localise, maintain, and implement the Underwriting Policy for FWDIB and FWDT, ensuring guidelines align with local risk appetite, regulations, and Group Standards
• Ensure the new business and underwriting department is aligned with company goals, regulatory requirements, and FWD Malaysia standards
• Exercise underwriting authority within Delegated Authority Manuals with escalation controls
• Establish underwriting risk assessment frameworks and ensure consistent application across decisions
• Provide underwriting assumptions and portfolio insights to Actuarial and Product teams to support pricing and development
• Monitor industry trends and emerging risks to inform underwriting strategies
• Oversee daily underwriting operations with efficient workflow, service levels, accuracy, and customer experience
• Develop and implement best practices to optimise underwriting operations
• Act as First Line of Defence Risk Owner for AML/CFT, Fair Treatment of Customers, and data privacy
• Manage the underwriting department budget for cost-effective operations

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Analytical skills

Technology for efficiency

Education

Medicine/Biomedicine or relevant sciences

Life insurance senior leadership experience (5+ years)

Job description

FWD Malaysia Holdings Sdn Bhd is seeking a Senior Underwriting Leader to localise, maintain, and implement underwriting policies for FWDIB and FWDT. You will ensure alignment with risk appetite, local regulations, and Group Standards while guiding the underwriting department toward efficient, compliant operations.

You will oversee daily processes, escalate when needed, provide portfolio insights to actuarial and product teams, and monitor industry trends to adjust strategy.