Senior Underwriter

Fidelity Life; New Zealand; Remote; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional leave benefits

Fully subsidised group life insurance

Trauma insurance for eligible permanan

Job summary

Fidelity Life in New Zealand is seeking an experienced Senior Underwriter to join a skilled underwriting team. You will make balanced, commercially sound and timely underwriting decisions while delivering a market-leading experience for advisers and customers.

This permanent, full-time role is based anywhere in New Zealand with flexible working arrangements and no set days in the office. You will own life insurance applications end-to-end, assess medical and financial risks, and work with

Qualifications

• Senior life underwriting experience across medical, financial, occupational and avocational risks.
• Experience handling complex, non-standard or high-sum insured applications within delegated authorities and referral pathways.
• Knowledge of underwriting guidelines, reinsurer treaty arrangements, systems, software and processes.

Responsibilities

• Own life insurance applications end-to-end, making clear and well-reasoned decisions within delegated authority.
• Assess medical, financial, occupational and avocational risks, including complex, non-standard and high-sum insured applications.
• Balance customer outcomes, adviser expectations, commercial considerations and prudent risk management.
• Build trusted relationships with advisers and strategic partners through practical guidance and clear communication.
• Use telephone underwriting, adviser conversations and customer communication to gather information and move applications forward.
• Escalate or refer cases to reinsurers, the Chief Medical Officer or the Underwriting Team Manager.
• Maintain clear, accurate and defensible records of underwriting decisions, referrals and supporting rationale.
• Share technical knowledge, support colleagues and contribute to quality reviews and team capability.

Skills

Advanced underwriting judgment

Commercial acumen

Clear decision-making

Adviser/stakeholder communication

Attention to detail

Documentation discipline

Team coaching & collaboration

Education

Tertiary qualification (medical background advantageous)

Job description

At Fidelity Life, we take pride in our role in New Zealand's Growth Story, safeguarding the way of life for New Zealanders for over 50 years. Our success contributes directly to the growth of New Zealand, through our shareholders, customers, and people, making us a unique player in the market. As a trusted and dedicated contributor to protecting New Zealanders, we invite you to join our team and make a meaningful impact.

Role Overview

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Senior Underwriter to join our highly skilled Underwriting team. Reporting to an Underwriting Team Manager, you will make balanced, commercially sound and timely underwriting decisions while delivering a market-leading experience for advisers and customers.

This permanent, full-time role can be based anywhere in New Zealand, with flexible working arrangements and no set days required in the office.

Key Responsibilities

• Own life insurance applications end-to-end, making clear and well-reasoned decisions within delegated authority.
• Assess medical, financial, occupational and avocational risks, including complex, non-standard and high-sum insured applications.
• Balance customer outcomes, adviser expectations, commercial considerations and prudent risk management.
• Build trusted relationships with advisers and strategic partners through practical guidance, clear communication and a solutions-focused approach.
• Use telephone underwriting, adviser conversations and customer communication to gather the right information and keep applications moving.
• Escalate or refer cases appropriately to reinsurers, the Chief Medical Officer or the Underwriting Team Manager.
• Maintain clear, accurate and defensible records of underwriting decisions, referrals and supporting rationale.
• Share technical knowledge, support colleagues and contribute to quality reviews, continuous improvement and a strong underwriting culture.

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications:

• A relevant tertiary qualification, ideally with a medical background, is advantageous.

Experience:

• Demonstrated senior life insurance underwriting experience across medical, financial, occupational and avocational risks.
• Experience managing complex, non-standard or high-sum insured applications within delegated authorities and referral pathways.
• Knowledge of underwriting guidelines, reinsurer treaty arrangements, systems, software and processes.

Skills:

• Advanced technical underwriting judgement, strong commercial acumen and confident decision-making capability.
• The ability to assess and explain complex underwriting decisions clearly to advisers, customers and internal stakeholders.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to engage with advisers, reinsurers and medical professionals.
• Strong attention to detail, documentation discipline and the ability to manage competing priorities in a busy environment.
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to coach others and contribute positively to continuous improvement and team capability.

Why Join Us?

Enjoy genuine flexibility, additional leave benefits, fully subsidised group life and trauma insurance for eligible permanent employees, and the opportunity to join a purpose-led business focused on protecting more New Zealanders and their whānau.

Fidelity Life is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Recruitment agencies: Please be aware that we have established partnerships with a small number of preferred suppliers and will not engage with unsolicited communication from agencies outside of this pool.