Senior Director, Underwriting & Portfolio Management

Job Description

The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it.

We help protect our customers against life’s uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you’ll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most.

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.

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Employee Benefits:

We aim to protect the wellbeing of our employees and their families with a broad benefits offering. Work/life balance is important and Protective offers a variety of paid time away benefits (e.g., paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day). The financial health of our employees is just as important as physical and emotional health. All employees are encouraged to protect their overall wellbeing by engaging in ProHealth Rewards, Protective’s platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards.

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary by position in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit plans.

Accommodations for Applicants with a Disability:

If you require an accommodation to complete the application and recruitment process due to a disability, please email eric.hess@protective.com. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application and recruitment process.

Please note that the above email is solely for individuals with disabilities requesting an accommodation. General employment questions should not be sent through this process.