The Senior Director, Underwriting is a strategic leader responsible for driving underwriting excellence, portfolio performance, and disciplined risk management across the Asset Protection Division. This role partners closely with Product, Actuarial, Finance, Sales, and Operations leaders to develop and execute underwriting strategies that support profitable growth while maintaining appropriate risk controls. The leader will leverage data, analytics, market insights, and industry trends to optimize portfolio results, enhance underwriting governance, and ensure alignment between business objectives and risk appetite. The position also serves as a key advisor to executive leadership and is responsible for developing a high-performing underwriting organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Leads enterprise portfolio risk management and performance oversight across multiple products, distribution channels, and geographies. Accountable for interpreting complex data and market trends to inform strategic decisions, influence profitability outcomes, and proactively manage risk exposure at a portfolio level.
- Directs underwriting strategy execution and governance, partnering with leadership to ensure consistent application of pricing, eligibility, and exception frameworks. Exercises independent judgment in ambiguous, high-impact scenarios, leveraging advanced analytics and modeling to guide decision-making and drive disciplined execution.
- Provides thought leadership in analytical integration, overseeing development and application of models, forecasts, and simulations. Translate complex concepts into actionable business strategies, informing reserving, pricing, and risk mitigation decisions across new and existing programs.
- Shapes product strategy through cross-functional leadership, influencing the design, development, and optimization of products in partnership with Product and Actuarial teams. Evaluates financial and risk implications of product changes, guiding strategic initiatives that align growth objectives with portfolio performance and risk tolerance.
- Drives operational excellence and organizational capability, establishing scalable processes, tools, and governance frameworks to enhance consistency and efficiency. Leads, develops, and mentors talent, fostering a high-performance culture while providing executive-level reporting and insights to senior leadership.
Knowledge, Skills, Attributes:
- Deep understanding of underwriting principles, portfolio management, and risk assessment.
- Strong analytical and quantitative capabilities, including forecasting, modeling, and trend analysis.
- Ability to interpret complex financial, actuarial, and underwriting data and translate insights into business strategy.
- Proven ability to balance growth objectives with profitability and risk management goals.
- Strong business acumen and strategic thinking skills.
- Excellent executive communication, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities.
- Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing organizational outcomes.
- Strong people leadership, coaching, and talent development capabilities.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity and make sound decisions in complex business environments.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Risk Management, Mathematics, Actuarial Science, or a related field.
- 7 years of progressive experience in underwriting, portfolio management, product management, risk management, actuarial, or related insurance disciplines.
- 4+ years relevant leadership experience.
- Experience managing portfolio performance and profitability across multiple products, programs, markets, or distribution channels.
- Demonstrated leadership experience with direct people management responsibilities.
- Experience partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to drive business strategy and operational execution.
- Proven experience utilizing analytics and performance metrics to support strategic decision-making.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree such as MBA, MS, or related discipline.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in underwriting, portfolio management, product management, risk management, actuarial, or related insurance disciplines.
- Experience within automotive F&I, extended service contracts, vehicle protection products, warranty administration, specialty insurance, or adjacent P&C markets.
- Experience supporting product development, pricing strategy, reserving, or predictive analytics initiatives.
- Experience leading enterprise-wide underwriting transformation, governance, or technology modernization efforts.
- Industry certifications relevant to underwriting, risk management, or insurance operations.
About Us – Asset Protection
Protective Asset Protection has been providing finance and insurance (F&I) solutions for the automotive industry for more than 60 years. We proudly serve thousands of dealerships and financial institutions in the automotive, marine, powersports and recreation vehicle industries throughout the U.S. providing innovative vehicle protection products, wealth-building programs, training, and technology. Our portfolio of vehicle protection plans, GAP coverage, limited warranties, and ancillary products provide opportunities to generate revenue with products that help drive customer retention and satisfaction. Protective Asset Protection is part of the financial services holding company, Protective Life Corporation. For more information about Protective Asset Protection visit www.ProtectiveAssetProtection.com.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Risk Management, Mathematics, Actuarial Science, or a related field
- At least 7 years of progressive experience in underwriting, portfolio management, product management, risk management, actuarial, or related insurance disciplines
- At least 4 years of relevant leadership experience
- Experience managing portfolio performance and profitability across multiple products, programs, markets, or distribution channels
- Demonstrated leadership experience with direct people management responsibilities
- Experience partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to drive business strategy and operational execution
- Proven experience using analytics and performance metrics for strategic decision-making
- Advanced degree such as an MBA or MS
- At least 8 years of progressive experience in underwriting, portfolio management, product management, risk management, actuarial, or related insurance disciplines
- Experience in automotive F&I, extended service contracts, vehicle protection products, warranty administration, specialty insurance, or adjacent P&C markets
- Experience supporting product development, pricing strategy, reserving, or predictive analytics initiatives
- Experience leading enterprise-wide underwriting transformation, governance, or technology modernization efforts
- Industry certifications relevant to underwriting, risk management, or insurance operations
Protective Life Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Protective Life and has not been reviewed or approved by Protective Life.
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Retirement Support — A pension plan alongside a 401(k) with employer match is repeatedly highlighted and considered a standout feature. Feedback suggests these offerings provide strong long‑term financial security.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage are complemented by HSA/FSA options with company contributions and wellness incentives. Feedback suggests the breadth of health benefits is comprehensive.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off and holidays are frequently cited as positives, with parental leave and adoption assistance available. Feedback suggests time‑off policies support work‑life balance.
Protective Life Insights
What We Do
Protective Life Corporation (Protective) provides financial services through the production, distribution and administration of insurance and investment products throughout the United States. Protective traces its roots to its flagship company founded in 1907, Protective Life Insurance Company. Throughout its more than 110-year history, Protective’s growth and success can be largely attributed to its ongoing commitment to serving people and doing the right thing — for its employees, distributors and, most importantly, its customers. Protective’s home office is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and its 3,000+ employees work across the United States. As of June 30, 2020, Protective had assets of approximately $123 billion. Protective Life Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings,
