John Hancock is leading the transformation of what it means to own life insurance, as the only carrier offering a fully digitally enabled program across all insurance products, empowering customers with tools, resources, incentives, and rewards to live longer, healthier lives. We are committed to making the purchase process simpler, faster, and more customer-focused through aggressive digitization and the adoption of advanced technology.

Over many years, John Hancock has a long history of industry leading underwriting and risk assessment expertise. Building on our strong foundation, we continue to expand our differentiation by exploring and adopting new digitization technology, innovative processes, and AI to transform the underwriting and purchase experience. Our Chief Underwriter role is critical in driving our reputation as a market leader in risk assessments, both in the current practice of underwriting and defining what it means to accelerate underwriting practices for the future.

We are looking for a leader who has passion for the discipline and advancement of underwriting, someone who will continue to position John Hancock as a market leader in this space. We are proud and excited by how we have transformed underwriting, and we are seeking a Chief Underwriter who can continue to lead from the front on our journey.

This role will lead and direct all aspects of the Underwriting Operations, Risk Management, and Research and Development for one of the most prestigious and highly rated Insurances companies in the country. The Chief Underwriter will oversee a department of 100+ highly skilled underwriters and staff recognized for their expertise within the industry.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead with a drive for excellence, using expertise and risk insights to deliver winning, competitive offers that meet client needs and provide protective value.

• Establish and maintain underwriting guidelines, practices, and proprietary manuals; oversee underwriting audits and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

• Drive employee engagement and foster collaboration, building a best-in-class, growth-oriented, and inclusive underwriting organization.

• Lead recruiting, hiring, and professional development efforts to build and retain top underwriting talent.

• Manage and grow strategic relationships with distribution and reinsurance partners, ensuring ongoing alignment and innovation.

• Represent John Hancock in regulatory and technology forums, advocating for the organization and contributing to industry thought leadership (including participation in committees such as Global UW Risk, ACLI, AHOU & MIB Advisory, LIMRA Chief Underwriters).

• Partner across a matrixed organization—including New Business, Operations, Global Risk Management and external stakeholders—to drive operational efficiencies, competitive underwriting strategies, and superior client outcomes.

• Champion transformational initiatives in underwriting, such as Accelerated and Concierge Underwriting, digital health data integration, alternative evidence sources, and the use of digital workbenches and predictive models.

• Maintain an active presence within the industry as a recognized and sought-after opinion leader, contributing to John Hancock’s reputation as a market leader and visionary in underwriting.

Required Qualifications:

• 15+ years of executive leadership in a large, complex underwriting function, with a proven track record in both technical excellence and transformational initiatives (e.g., automated underwriting, accelerated decisioning, digital data ingestion).

• Expertise in life underwriting, rules engines, predictive models, and digital health data integration.

• Leadership capabilities to operate a top tier underwriting organization. Demonstrated strength in change management, communication, and fostering a culture of curiosity, creativity, and continuous improvement.

• Strong collaborator with experience driving results across matrixed and cross-functional organizations, both internally and externally.

• Business acumen and strategic vision to anticipate market trends, competitor strategies, and evolving customer needs.

• Recognized industry reputation as a visionary, sought-after for insights and guidance by peers, regulators, and industry bodies – is known and maintains an active presence.

• Clear vision for what Underwriting of the Future looks like, can share a view on how to get there, and has the ambition to achieve it before anyone else.

• Acutely aware of competitors and market conditions to develop and maintain risk selection and criteria to support sound risk management.

• Ability to drive and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace as a business imperative. Fosters a growth mindset where employees raise the bar, make smart choices, and challenge the status quo.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact recruitment@manulife.com.

Referenced Salary Location

Boston, MassachusettsHybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$211,600.00 USD - $393,500.00 USD

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact recruitment@manulife.com for the salary range for your location. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife/John Hancock offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

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Company: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)