AVP, Digital Underwriting & Innovation - Life - Remote

Symetra Financial Corporation; Farmington (CT); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid telecommuting

401(k) with company match up to 6%

Paid time away including holidays

Company matching charitable giving

Job summary

Symetra Financial Corporation seeks an AVP, Digital Underwriting & Innovation to lead the strategy and execution of digital underwriting across life insurance. You will drive automation, AI, and data analytics while partnering with underwriting, product, actuarial, technology, and compliance.

You will lead a team of underwriting professionals, shape underwriting philosophy, and collaborate with industry partners to stay ahead in the market.

Qualifications

• Progressive experience in life insurance underwriting and leadership of underwriting operations.
• Expertise in digital underwriting strategy and technology transformation.
• Experience deploying automated underwriting frameworks and decisioning platforms.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute Symetra's digital underwriting strategy across lines of business.
• Lead research, pilots, and adoption of automation and AI in underwriting.
• Collaborate with Product, Actuarial, Technology, and Compliance to deliver initiatives.
• Develop and mentor a high-impact underwriting team and oversee governance.

Skills

Digital underwriting strategy

Leadership of underwriting teams

AI & predictive analytics

Automation & rules engines

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

High school diploma required

Tools

Underwriting rules engines

AI analytics platforms

Automation platforms

Job description

You may have seen in the media that job posting scams are on the rise. Symetra is committed to creating a positive candidate experience without putting you at risk. As such, applications for our open job postings are only collected through our secure career site and we are transparent about our. We also do not send funds to candidates or request funds from candidates, via check or otherwise. To check the status of your application, log into your candidate profile. If you would like to report suspicious recruiting activity or potential fraud please .- Relevant skills and experience will be listed so you know why those jobs are a match## Job DescriptionAt Symetra, we're continuing to transform the future of **life insurance** underwriting through innovation, technology, and data-driven decision making. As **AVP, Digital Underwriting & Innovation**, you'll play a key leadership role in shaping our underwriting strategy, advancing digital capabilities, and driving initiatives that deliver a faster, easier, smarter experience for customers, partners, and employees.**About the role**In this role, you will be responsible for driving the strategy, development, and execution of digital underwriting capabilities across the life insurance business. You will drive innovation through automation, AI, underwriting technology, and data analytics while partnering across Underwriting, Product, Actuarial, Technology, Operations, and Compliance. Success in this role requires a blend of underwriting expertise, strategic thinking, and people leadership to modernize the underwriting experience, improve operational effectiveness, and support Symetra's long-term growth objectives.**What You will Do*** Help define and execute Symetra's digital underwriting strategy, advancing automation, accelerated underwriting, and decisioning capabilities.* Own and evolve underwriting rules engines, digital workflows, and underwriting technology platforms to improve efficiency, accuracy, and partner experience.* Identify and implement innovative solutions leveraging AI, predictive analytics, emerging data sources, and automation technologies.* Lead underwriting research, pilot programs, and experimentation efforts to evaluate new approaches to risk assessment and customer experience.* Partner across Product, Actuarial, Technology, Distribution, Operations, Legal, and Compliance to deliver strategic underwriting initiatives.* Lead and develop a team of life underwriting professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.* Build relationships with key industry partners, vendors, and reinsurers while staying informed on market trends and emerging capabilities.* Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Underwriter, helping shape the future of Symetra's underwriting philosophy, strategy, and competitive position.**What Success Looks Like*** Accelerated underwriting adoption increases while maintaining sound mortality outcomes.* Digital underwriting capabilities deliver a faster, more seamless partner and customer experience.* Underwriting automation and decisioning tools drive measurable improvements in efficiency and scalability.* Innovation initiatives translate into practical solutions that strengthen Symetra's competitive position.* Teams are engaged, growing, and recognized as leaders in underwriting transformation.**Why Work at Symetra**Here's what some of our employees have to say about why they work at Symetra:*\"If you're looking for a place to call home, grow professionally and personally and most importantly, be yourself, Symetra is the right fit.\" - Daniel P., Director Underwriting**\"I feel welcome and included at Symetra every day and I really believe you can be you at Symetra.\" - Megan H., Deputy Chief Compliance Officer***What we offer you****Benefits and Perks**We don't take a \"one-size-fits-all\" approach when it comes to our employees. Our programs are designed to make your life better both at work and at home.* Flexible full-time or hybrid telecommuting arrangements* Plan for your future with our 401(k) plan and take advantage of immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%* Paid time away including vacation and sick time, flex days and ten paid holidays* Give back to your community and double your impact through our company matching**Compensation**Salary Range: $128,700 - $214,600 plus eligibility for annual bonus program and long-term incentive plan**Who You Are*** 15+ years of progressive experience in life insurance underwriting, including leadership of underwriting operations, strategy, and innovation initiatives.* Deep expertise in underwriting, digital underwriting strategy, and underwriting technology transformation.* Proven experience developing and optimizing automated underwriting frameworks, rules engines, and decisioning platforms.* Demonstrated success leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, to improve underwriting efficiency, accuracy, and customer experience.* Strong strategic mindset with the ability to develop and execute departmental and business strategies aligned to organizational objectives.* Experience leading large-scale change initiatives and driving adoption across teams and business functions.* Exceptional communication skills with the ability to distill complex information into clear recommendations for senior and executive leadership.* Strong collaboration and relationship management skills, with a track record of partnering effectively across operations, technology, product, risk, and compliance teams.* Thorough understanding of regulatory and compliance considerations within the life insurance industry.* Proven people leadership experience, including leading leaders, developing talent, succession planning, coaching, and organizational development.* Professional designations such as FALU, CLU, and/or FLMI preferred.* Experience engaging with external industry partners, vendors, reinsurers, and distribution organizations.* Recognized as a thought leader in underwriting innovation, digital transformation, and operational excellence.* Bachelor's degree preferred. High school diploma required.* Ability to travel occasionally to meet the needs of the business.**Travel:****Required Training & Professional Development**All newly hired people leaders with direct reports are required to complete a comprehensive leadership development program within their first year. This program includes both virtual and in-person training. The in-person sessions will take place at Symetra's corporate headquarters in Bellevue, Washington. *Symetra covers all travel and accommodation expenses.***Reasonable Accommodations**Symetra is committed to providing equitable access to all job-related responsibilities, including required travel. If reasonable accommodations are needed for travel, Symetra's HR department will work to provide appropriate solutions in alignment with individual needs and company policies.**We empower inclusion**At Symetra, we aspire to be the most inclusive insurance company in the country. We're building a place where every employee feels valued, respected, and has opportunities to contribute.Inclusion is about recognizing our assumptions, considering multiple perspective, and removing barriers. We accept and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives, because lifting each other up fuels thought and builds a stronger, more innovative company. We invite you to learn more about our efforts here.**Creating a world where more people have access to financial freedom**Symetra is a national financial services company dedicated to helping people achieve their financial goals and feel confident about the future. In our daily work, we're guided by the principles of Value, Transparency and Sustainability. This means we provide products and services people need at a competitive