AVP, Underwriting and Prospect Center

MaineGuide; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 161,000 - 258,000; Full time

Job summary

Sun Life U.S. is seeking a strategic AVP, Core Underwriting and Prospect Center to lead core market underwriting and pre-sale operations across Group Benefits, driving profitable growth and exceptional client experiences.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision making, modernization of processes, and cross-functional collaboration with sales, brokers, clients, and technology teams to deliver scalable capabilities and strong governance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Group Benefits including underwriting leadership.
• Deep expertise in Group Insurance products, underwriting, pricing, risk assessment, and financial management.
• Proven success leading large-scale operations, service delivery, or pre-sale support functions in a complex, matrixed organization.
• Bachelor's degree and/or industry designations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set and execute strategy for New Business and Renewal Underwriting and Pre-Sale operations to support profitable growth, service excellence, and strong client and broker outcomes.
• Lead underwriting strategy, pricing discipline, risk assessment, proposal support, and sold case operations in alignment with business objectives.
• Drive operational excellence and business transformation by modernizing processes, implementing automation and AI-enabled capabilities, and leveraging data and performance insights to improve speed, quality, consistency, scalability, and customer outcomes.
• Build and develop high-performing teams while fostering accountability, innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and a client-focused culture.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Underwriting leadership

Data-driven decisions

Automation & AI capabilities

Executive influence

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or designations preferred

Job description

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 50 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. We have more than 6,400 employees and associates in our partner dental practices and operate nationwide.

At Sun Life, we're driven by our Purpose: helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Our values shape how we work: caring, authentic, bold, inspiring, and impactful.

When you join Sun Life, you'll work with passionate colleagues and empowering leaders who support your growth and celebrate your contributions, so you can make a meaningful difference in our Clients' lives.

Visit our website to discover how Sun Life is making life brighter for our customers, partners and communities.

Job Description:

Sun Life embraces a hybrid work model that balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility of virtual work. Our team members and leaders are expected to foster connection and teamwork by being present in the office at least 2 days per week.

The Opportunity

Sun Life is seeking a strategic and innovative leader to serve as AVP, Core Underwriting and Prospect Center. This role leads core market underwriting and pre-sale operations across our Group Benefits business, helping drive profitable growth, operational excellence, and exceptional client and broker experience. The successful candidate will shape the future of the function through strong leadership, business transformation, and the use of data, automation, and technology. The AVP will lead Sun Life's Underwriting and Pre-Sale Operations functions, including underwriting, pricing, quoting, proposal development, and new business implementation support. The role also oversees a Center of Excellence responsible for quality, training, operational governance, and continuous improvement initiatives that support underwriting and pre-sale teams. Partnering across the organization, this leader will ensure strong execution, operational consistency, and scalable capabilities that support business growth and client success.

How you will contribute:

• Set and execute strategy for New Business and Renewal Underwriting and Pre-Sale operations to support profitable growth, service excellence, and strong client and broker outcomes.
• Lead underwriting strategy, pricing discipline, risk assessment, proposal support, and sold case operations in alignment with business objectives.
• Drive operational excellence and business transformation by modernizing processes, implementing automation and AI-enabled capabilities, and leveraging data and performance insights to improve speed, quality, consistency, scalability, and customer outcomes. Partner closely with sales leaders, brokers, consultants, clients, technology teams, and other key stakeholders to strengthen execution and deliver outstanding service.
• Build and develop high-performing teams while fostering accountability, innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and a client-focused culture.

What you bring with you:

• Ability to work with a diverse group of people
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Group Benefits including significant underwriting leadership responsibility.
• Deep expertise in Group Insurance products, underwriting, pricing, risk assessment, and financial management, with a demonstrated ability to balance growth, profitability, and risk.
• Proven success leading large-scale operations, service delivery, or pre-sale support functions in a complex, matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams while fostering accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and employee engagement.
• Experience leading business transformation initiatives, including process improvement, automation, data-driven decision making, and technology modernization.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and executive influence skills, with a demonstrated ability to align senior leaders, drive enterprise-wide initiatives, and build strong relationships across business functions and organizational levels.
• Bachelor's degree and/or industry designations preferred.

Salary Range: $161,100 - $257,800

At our company, we are committed to pay transparency and equity. The salary range for this role is competitive nationwide, and we strive to ensure that compensation is fair and equitable. Your actual base salary will be determined based on your unique skills, qualifications, experience, education, and geographic location. In addition to your base salary, this position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive award based on your individual performance as well as the overall performance of the business. We are dedicated to creating a work environment where everyone is rewarded for their contributions.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees feel they belong, are supported and empowered to thrive. We are dedicated to building teams with varied experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and ideas that benefit our colleagues, clients, and the communities where we operate. We encourage applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Life is brighter when you work at Sun Life

At Sun Life, we prioritize your well-being with comprehensive benefits, including generous vacation and sick time, market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave, medical coverage, company paid life and AD&D insurance, disability programs and a partially paid sabbatical program. Plan for your future with our 401(k) employer match, stock purchase options and an employer-funded retirement account. Enjoy a flexible, inclusive and collaborative work environment that supports career growth. We're proud to be recognized in our communities as a top employer. Proudly Great Place to Work Certified in Canada and the U.S., we've also been recognized as a "Top 10" employer by the Boston Globe's "Top Places to Work" for two years in a row. Visit our website to learn more about our benefits and recognition within our communities.

We will make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitation of otherwise-qualified individuals with disabilities or special disabled veterans unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Please email [e-mail] to request an accommodation.

For applicants residing in California, please read our employee California Privacy Policy and Notice.

We do not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.

Sun Life will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including applicable fair chance ordinances.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Job Category

Underwriting - Group

Posting End Date

22/10/2026