Associate Director, New Business Underwriting

At AIA we’ve started an exciting movement to create a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone.
- It’s about finding new ways to not only better people's lives, but to better the communities and environments we live in. We need great Actuaries who want to be part of something bigger than finance alone. Because the better we can nurture our financial wellbeing as an organisation, the better we can support and make a difference for our customers when they need us most. By ensuring our products are well designed and priced, analysing business performance and ensuring proper management of insurance policies in-force, you’re not just safeguarding AIA’s financial wellbeing. You’re securing a better future for the people and communities we serve - today, tomorrow and for generations to come._

If that interests you, read on.

About the Role

The role involves leading a high-performance team of innovative underwriters, emphasizing a solution-oriented approach and close partnership with agency to enhance the rate of new business acquisition. It is essential to proactively engage with the agency team, seeking valuable feedback to continuously refine new business procedures and simplify operations.

Job Responsibilities
- Initiate and coordinate with the agency team to enhance new business acumen and underwriting proficiency via agile way of working through innovative initiatives such as underwriting clinics, training, workshops and strategic projects aimed at reducing pending case volumes and increasing capture rates.
- Cultivate a business oriented and solution first mindset among all team members on the importance of exploring all possible avenues within the existing guidelines to facilitate greater case captures, particularly for large sum assured and complex cases, through effective collaboration and partnership with the agency team.
- Foster key success factors in all team members to transition into the next-generation underwriters to support high net worth clients. This include nurturing a positive mindset, establishing trust with business partners and distribution channels, proactive engagement for collaborative result, and maintaining a solution-focused mindset.
- Lead and manage tied agency underwriting daily activities including develop strategic plans to better manage penders and resources effectively and achieve Department targets. As the key SME to support Underwriting guidelines and improvement, manage reinsurance related matter, magnum rules review and underwriting related projects. Provide technical support to tied agency channel.
- Oversee and guide the professional development of team members to a next generation underwriter through effective supervision, mentoring, and coaching. Identify potential successors and nurture emerging talent within the team.
- Proactively engage in cost management initiatives to identify savings opportunities through the strategic use of technology and automation to meet departmental and organizational cost reduction goals.
- Continuously assess customer and agent needs to identify enhancements in efficiency and productivity, leveraging technology, automation, and business analytics.
- Ensure Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are central to all initiatives, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.
- Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned by Supervisors/Head of Department to support operational and other requirements. Participate in New Product Development and system enhancements for new products, iPoS, and ALPP-related systems for both Conventional and Takaful.
- Review and authorize underwriting decisions up to RM6.3 million for all types of impairments, ensuring compliance with the company's risk management framework.
- Ensure adherence to both internal and regulatory requirements, with a sustained emphasis on enhancing staff expertise across all domains, particularly in Anti-Money Laundering procedures for customer onboarding processes.

Job Requirements
- Possess a tertiary qualification preferably in Medical Science or equivalent.
- Preferably with at least 8 years working experience in Life Insurance industry in medical and financial underwriting, and legal aspect of life insurance.
- Strong interpersonal & delegation skills.
- Able to share any ideas, suggestion or guidelines clearly with the team.
- Able to build good relationship and trust at all levels.
- Right attitude & ability to produce high quality work under pressure.
- Build a career with us as we help our customers and the community live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives._