Head of Underwriting and Claims Practices, Asia

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

Job description (heading) /  Description du poste (titre)

• Head of Asia Underwriting and Claims Practices would apply current medical, underwriting and claims knowledge to enhance the Division’s talent, tools, and practices through education, influencing underwriting guidelines, and partnering across claims, product, marketing, actuarial, legal and other operational areas. This role will also serve as a strategic enabler for GenAI initiatives across underwriting and claims by helping identify high-value use cases, shaping business requirements, supporting responsible adoption, and embedding new capabilities into day-to-day operations. In addition, the incumbent will help drive the broader underwriting and claims transformation agenda across Asia, improving consistency, efficiency, decision quality, and customer outcomes. The incumbent will act as a strategic bridge between business, data, and technology, shaping and embedding AI-enabled capabilities into underwriting and claims workflows, while ensuring responsible, compliant, and value-driven adoption across markets.

• Providing expert opinion on the selection of applicants for insurance according to expected morbidity / mortality of those individuals and on creating or revising policy provisions;
• Assisting in the adjudication of death, disability, critical illness and health/hospital claims of insured individuals;
• Analyzing insurance morbidity and mortality experience;
• Contributing medical content to the global life underwriting manual, focusing on the needs of SunLife’s Asian markets.
• Ideally 2-3 Sentences

Preferred skills (heading) / Compétences particulières (titre)

• Effective oral and written communication skill in English, with the ability convey concepts, ideas, and to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Flexible and able to adapt to rapidly changing business, market, and management evolution with resilience and forward thinking perspective
• Able to define the scope of the role, and recognize maximum contribution potential, in an environment with fluid and ever changing boundaries
• Can mentor resources through effective change management and contribute to their career growth and development
• Can adeptly provide control, attention to detail, and adherence to standard in balance with navigating through changes in scope, dimension, and purpose of long term initiatives

Qualifications (heading) / Compétences (titre)

• Strong expertise in data-driven underwriting and claims practices, including use of analytics, predictive modelling, and AI/ML techniques with 15 years of experience.
• Proven experience in leading digital and AI transformation initiatives, including GenAI adoption at scale.
• Ability to translate business needs into data and AI solutions, working closely with technology and data science teams.
• Deep understanding of data governance, model risk management, and responsible AI principles.
• Demonstrated experience in leveraging analytics to improve decision quality, efficiency, and customer outcomes.
• Strong exposure to digital operating models, automation, and straight-through processing (STP).
• Experience working in multi-market environments with varying data maturity and regulatory landscapes.
• FLMI, FLHC/ALHC, FALU/AALU would be assets
• Experience enabling business-led innovation across underwriting and claims, with the ability to evaluate, prioritize, and operationalize GenAI and digital use cases in a controlled, value-driven manner.
• Demonstrated success in project management for Financial Services organizations
• Experience in a multi-national and/or multiple territory operating environment
• Demonstrated accomplishment in a transformational or significant business initiative for a specific market/territory

Responsibilities (heading) / Responsabilités (titre)

• 1. Lead Data-Driven & AI-Enabled Transformation (25–30%)

  Define and drive the Asia underwriting and claims transformation agenda anchored on analytics, automation, and GenAI.

  Identify, prioritize, and scale high-value AI/GenAI use cases (e.g., decision support, triage, document interpretation, risk scoring).

  Embed data-driven decisioning into underwriting rules, claims adjudication, and portfolio management.

  Partner with Data & Technology teams to ensure robust data foundations, model governance, and responsible AI deployment.

  2. Build Advanced Underwriting & Claims Decisioning Capabilities (20–25%)

  Lead development of next-generation underwriting rules engines and straight-through processing (STP) powered by predictive analytics and AI.

  Enhance claims adjudication through data-led insights, fraud detection analytics, and AI-assisted decision support.

  Establish decision quality frameworks using data, benchmarks, and continuous feedback loops.

  Improve consistency of practices across markets through analytics-driven standards and performance insights.

  3. Drive Analytics, Insights & Portfolio Optimization (15–20%)

  Leverage morbidity and mortality analytics to refine underwriting philosophies and claims strategies.

  Develop actionable insights dashboards for performance management, leakage identification, and client outcomes.

  Embed a culture of evidence-based decision making across underwriting and claims functions.

  4. Enable GenAI Adoption & Value Realization (15–20%)

  Act as a business owner for GenAI initiatives, translating business needs into scalable digital solutions.

  Ensure structured experimentation, controlled rollout, and measurable value realization of AI initiatives.

  Embed AI into day-to-day workflows, improving productivity, turnaround time, and client experience.

  Establish governance, risk, and compliance guardrails for AI usage across markets.

  5. Strengthen Regional Capabilities & Talent (10–15%)

  Build and lead AI- and data-literate underwriting and claims teams across Asia.

  Upskill talent in analytics, digital tools, and AI-assisted decisioning.

  Design and scale regional shared services and centres of excellence leveraging digital capabilities

Job Category:

Underwriting - Individual

Posting End Date:

03/08/2026