Life Insurance Underwriting Director

Firm Summary:
Winged Keel Group is the premier national platform for the structuring, implementation, and administration of high-end life insurance solutions. With ten offices nationwide, the firm specializes in Traditional Life Insurance, Business Continuation Insurance, Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuities, and Corporate-Owned Life Insurance portfolios.

Position Summary:
The Director of Institutional Life Insurance Underwriting and Case Management leads the underwriting and case management functions supporting institutional and ultra-high-net-worth life insurance clients. This role ensures underwriting excellence, operational efficiency, and exceptional client experience while maintaining compliance and risk standards. The director partners closely with sales, product, and operations teams to streamline case flow from prospect introduction to application and policy issue. The person in this role is also responsible for leading and managing a high-performing, successful team.

Position Responsibilities:
Underwriting and Case Management Leadership

• Oversee all aspects of life insurance underwriting for institutional channel, including traditional and private placement life insurance products.
• Establish, document, and maintain underwriting processes, SLAs, risk tolerance standards, and escalation procedures. Implement workflows to ensure timely processing, accuracy, and communication with clients and advisors.
• Track and report service-level metrics, identifying trends and areas for process improvement and implement process improvements across the team.
• Review complex, high-value cases and provide underwriting recommendations.
• Anticipate and resolve case challenges proactively.
• Work with carriers to negotiate best offers and remove additional requirements.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and company standards, including privacy and anti-money laundering (AML) protocols.
• Act as primary point of escalation for Underwriting and Case Management team members.
  
  

Strategic and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with producers and Operations to support growth objectives and deliver a seamless client experience.
• Develop strong relationships with producers, establish expectations, and address issues as they arise.
• Develop strong relationships with insurance company new business and sales leadership to ensure smooth case processing.
• Leverage technology and automation tools to increase case throughput and visibility.
• Provide insights and recommendations to leadership on underwriting trends.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of case managers / underwriting specialists handling a large volume of cases.
• Manage staffing and workload balance in response to rapid growth and changing business demands.
• Lead, coach, and mentor a high-performing team with a focus on professional development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and refine onboarding and training for new underwriters / case managers.
• Set annual goals, define roles and responsibilities, and conduct performance reviews of team

members.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in life insurance underwriting, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of life insurance products, including private placement preferred.
• Experience working with Financial Advisors in the High-Net-Worth space
• Strong understanding of ticketing systems, regulations and compliance in the wire house and bank channels
• Proven ability to manage complex high-net-worth cases.
• Experience leading case management or new business operations preferred.
• Deep knowledge of underwriting guidelines, medical and financial risk assessment, and reinsurance practices.
• Proficiency with digital underwriting systems and workflow tools.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional communication and relationship management abilities.

Working Conditions/Demands/Complexity:

• Required to work on a computer for a substantial part of the day
• A strong fundamental skillset in the above areas from the outset. Candidate will have a unique opportunity to apply and grow these skills in a highly productive, successful, and challenging environment

Compensation / Benefits:

• Attractive annual compensation package is commensurate with experience
• Eligible for annual profit sharing bonus

Comprehensive benefit package includes medical, dental, life, disability, 401(k), Flexible Spending Account, and other voluntary benefits