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Senior Underwriter

Company Description

  • Flexible work options
  • No. 1 Life Insurer in Australia
  • Super-charged super and purchase leave options

Welcome to This Australian Life. 

From the millions of Australians we protect, to those that make it happen every day at TAL, people really are what we’re all about. We want to grow with you. Achieve with you. And support you to do your best work. That's why we're focused on developing leadership, promoting diversity, rewarding excellence, and retaining great talent.

We're always looking for people who want to go further with us. People who do what’s right, aim high, and work smart.  Why not see where we can go?

Job Description

  • To be eligible for this role you must have Certificate IV in Life Insurance
  • We are open to applications from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane

This role is responsible for TAL’s risk philosophy and profitability through sound underwriting standards and practices.

In this role you will: 

  • Provide quality underwriting service in line with TAL’s underwriting philosophy, standards and practices in order to maintain a profitable risk portfolio.
  • Assist with adviser enquiries, escalations and complaints to satisfactory conclusion
  • Achieve required underwriting volume target.
  • Communicates openly to engage customers, peers, and partners using a variety of communication strategies (face-to-face, written, telephone and presentations).
  • Contributes to a proactive, consistent customer experience across the underwriting team, identifying customer issues and opportunities to resolve them.
  • Demonstrates a strong business acumen, with a sound knowledge of current policies and procedures and how to apply them.
  • Organises workload and priorities to adhere to agreed timeframes and service standards.
  • Makes informed and timely decisions when appropriate, weighing up risks and outcomes using sound risk awareness and management practices.

Qualifications

  • Minimum 5 years Life Insurance industry experience
  • Tertiary qualification in Finance or related discipline
  • Strong Retail experience would be advantageous
  • In-depth underwriting and industry knowledge
  • Excellent computer literacy
  • A comprehensive understanding of the business and life insurance industry, including any new approaches or practices being introduced
  • Good working knowledge of professional standard and codes 
  • Previous underwriting authority limits
  • Strong Medical, financial and systems knowledge
  • Certificate IV in Life Insurance

You’re always accountable for your actions. You never give up. You strive to find the best outcomes for customers and partners. And you value working together to find the best solutions for problems. 

As part of the recruitment process, there are a number of checks which may be conducted to demonstrate your eligibility for a role at TAL including Criminal History, Bankruptcy, Entitlement to Work, Regulatory and Reference Checks.

Additional Information

At TAL we value diversity in all its forms and are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable culture for all our people. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, individuals from all backgrounds, including those with caring responsibilities, people living with disability, and individuals from the CALD and LGBTQI+ communities to apply. Even if you don’t check every box in the criteria above, we encourage you to apply today or get in touch with us here.

To provide you with the best experience, we can accommodate you at any stage of the recruitment process. Simply inform our Recruitment team at any time.

TAL is recognised by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as an Employer of Choice.  We are proud to be a member of Diversity Council Australia and the Australian Network on Disability. For information on our reconciliation journey, please read our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land in which our Head Office is based, the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and recognise their deep connections to the land, sea, and culture.
We extend this acknowledgment to the many Traditional Lands that we operate across and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.

#LI-Hybrid

Everyone at TAL has a responsibility to do the right thing and is accountable for the way they conduct themselves. Our expectations are that you follow the principles set out in our Code of Conduct when you come to work every day. Risk management is everyone’s responsibility.

If you are already a TAL employee please apply via the SmartRecruiters button in Workday and navigate to the Employee Portal. This is important to ensure that your application is recorded accurately.

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Average salary estimate

$100000 / YEARLY (est.)
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$80000K
$120000K

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What You Should Know About Senior Underwriter, TAL

Welcome to TAL, Australia's number one life insurer! We are excited to announce our search for a Senior Underwriter to join our dynamic team at our Melbourne office located on 500 Bourke Street. This role is ideal for a professional who possesses a Certificate IV in Life Insurance and has at least five years of industry experience. As a Senior Underwriter, you will play a crucial role in TAL's commitment to maintaining sound underwriting standards, ensuring that we uphold our risk philosophy while achieving profitability. You will provide exceptional underwriting services, assist with adviser inquiries, and contribute proactively to enhancing the customer experience. Your ability to communicate effectively and engage deeply with both customers and colleagues will be key in resolving escalations and complaints successfully. With your strong business acumen and knowledge of industry practices, you will make informed decisions to manage risks effectively. We are also proud to offer flexible working options, supercharged super, and leave options, reinforcing our commitment to supporting our employees both personally and professionally. Join us in our mission to help Australians live healthier, longer lives while enhancing your career at TAL!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Senior Underwriter Role at TAL
What are the primary responsibilities of the Senior Underwriter at TAL?

As a Senior Underwriter at TAL, your main responsibilities will include adhering to TAL’s underwriting philosophy, maintaining a profitable risk portfolio, managing adviser inquiries, and ensuring a consistent and proactive customer experience. You will also be tasked with meeting underwriting volume targets and making informed risk management decisions, all while working in a collaborative environment.

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What qualifications do I need to apply for the Senior Underwriter position at TAL?

To be eligible for the Senior Underwriter role at TAL, you should have a minimum of five years of experience in the Life Insurance industry, along with a Certificate IV in Life Insurance. A tertiary qualification in Finance or a related discipline is preferred, and strong expertise in underwriting and retail experience would be advantageous for the position.

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How important is experience in the Life Insurance industry for the Senior Underwriter role at TAL?

Experience in the Life Insurance industry is crucial for the Senior Underwriter role at TAL, as you will need to apply your knowledge effectively to make informed underwriting decisions. A minimum of five years in the field ensures you have the depth of understanding required for this pivotal role, allowing you to manage risks while maintaining a profitable portfolio.

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What does TAL offer to support its employees in the Senior Underwriter role?

TAL offers various benefits for its employees, including flexible work options, enhanced superannuation, and generous purchase leave options. The company values diversity and inclusivity and emphasizes professional development, ensuring that you have the resources needed to thrive both personally and professionally as a Senior Underwriter.

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What kind of decision-making skills are expected from a Senior Underwriter at TAL?

As a Senior Underwriter at TAL, you are expected to demonstrate strong decision-making skills backed by sound risk management practices. You will need to assess various risks and outcomes, make informed choices swiftly, and communicate these decisions clearly to your team and clients.

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Common Interview Questions for Senior Underwriter
Can you describe your experience in underwriting and how it relates to the Senior Underwriter role?

When answering this question, focus on detailing your specific experiences in underwriting, including any unique challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. Emphasize how these experiences will enhance your contributions to TAL as a Senior Underwriter.

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What strategies do you use to maintain underwriting standards?

Discuss specific methodologies or systems you have implemented in previous positions to ensure compliance with underwriting standards. Mention how these practices helped improve efficiency or profitability.

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How do you handle escalations and complaints from advisers or customers?

Provide examples from your past roles where you successfully resolved conflicts or complaints. Highlight your communication skills and ability to empathize while maintaining professional standards.

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Describe a time when you had to make a difficult underwriting decision. What was the outcome?

Utilize the STAR method to illustrate your response. Explain the situation, the task at hand, the action you took, and the results of your decision, especially focusing on how you managed risk and what you learned from this experience.

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What tools or software do you use for underwriting, and how proficient are you with them?

Mention any relevant underwriting software or systems you've used, and discuss your proficiency with these tools. Highlight any training or certifications you have related to these technologies to showcase your competence.

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How would you ensure a consistent customer experience in underwriting?

Discuss the importance of communication and setting expectations with customers. Share any examples of initiatives you've taken to enhance customer satisfaction in the underwriting process.

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What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the life insurance industry today?

Your answer should reflect current trends and challenges in the industry, such as regulatory changes or economic challenges. Articulate how you plan on addressing these challenges in the role of Senior Underwriter at TAL.

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How do you approach continuous learning and development in your underwriter career?

Emphasize the importance of staying up-to-date with industry changes and how you seek out professional development opportunities, such as attending workshops, obtaining certifications, or engaging in industry forums.

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In your opinion, what qualities make a successful Senior Underwriter at TAL?

Discuss attributes such as strong analytical skills, effective communication, resilience, and the ability to collaborate and innovate. Relate these qualities to TAL's values and how you embody them.

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What are your long-term goals as a Senior Underwriter, and how do they align with TAL's vision?

Express your career aspirations clearly, indicating a long-term commitment to the life insurance industry. Show how your goals align with TAL's mission of protecting Australians and supporting their well-being.

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Every day our people work to help Australians live a life filled with choices, options and freedoms, no matter what happens. We believe deeply in the value of what we do and together with our partners, today we protect nearly 4 million Australian...

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Full-time, hybrid
DATE POSTED
March 21, 2025

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