Underwriting Innovation Product Manager

Location Designation: Hybrid - 1 day per quarter 

Role Overview:

We are seeking a strategic, execution-driven Underwriting Innovation Product Manager to lead the development and evolution of underwriting automation capabilities—including predictive models, rules engines, workflow orchestration, and decisioning tools. In this role, you will serve as the Business Product Owner and lead a team responsible for execution of key automation initiatives that modernize our underwriting processes, enhance risk selection, and improve the experience for our customers, agents, and underwriters.

This is a high-visibility role ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of business strategy, data science, and technology delivery. You will collaborate closely with underwriting leaders, data science teams, actuaries, technology partners, and external vendors to define product strategy, requirements, and implementation roadmaps.

What You’ll Do:

Underwriting Product Management & Strategy

• Own the end-to-end product lifecycle for Underwriting Innovation including the Underwriting predictive models, Underwriting rules, and Underwriting data sources. The role will collaborate and drive execution across multiple teams including  Underwriting Operations & Management, Data Science, Technology, Actuary, Legal/ Risk/ Governance.
• Lead a team of Product Owners and develop and maintain a product roadmap aligned with the Purchase Experience Value Stream’s strategic objectives for Underwriting Innovation.
• Define and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure the effectiveness of the purchase experience and process improvements through adoption, efficiency and user satisfaction.

Innovation, Data, Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Research and evaluate emerging technologies, digital tools, and industry trends to drive innovation within underwriting.
• Define KPIs and reporting needs to measure the impact of automation (e.g., cycle time reductions, accuracy, operational savings).
• Analyze performance results and user feedback to drive iterative improvements in mortality/ morbidity experience, underwriting experience, and agent/ client experience.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, industry trends, regulatory developments, and vendor capabilities that may influence automation strategy.

Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with underwriting, business, technology, operations, and compliance teams to deliver platform enhancements and new capabilities.
• Work with change management, training, and communications teams to support adoption and rollout.
• Coordinate with compliance, legal, and risk teams to ensure automation solutions meet regulatory and audit standards.
• Demonstrate thought leadership on industry trends and innovation within underwriting and risk assessment. Present updates, roadmaps, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Serve as a key liaison between the Purchase Experience Value Stream and other value streams to ensure integration and alignment across platforms.

Execution & Delivery

• Translate business goals and user needs into clear product requirements and user stories. Work across multiple user personas to ensure intuitive, consistent, and frictionless user experiences for Underwriters, agents, and clients.

• Drive execution within NYL’s agile delivery framework. Prioritize backlogs based on business value, effort, and strategic alignment.

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

• Manage vendor relationships and third-party integrations as needed.

• Ensure timely delivery of product releases and adherence to regulatory and compliance standards.

What You’ll Bring:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, data analytics, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in product management, business analysis, underwriting, or process automation, preferably in life insurance or financial services.
• Strong understanding of underwriting concepts, risk assessment, and decision rules. Underwriting experience is strongly preferred.
• People management experience, including experience coaching, managing, and developing a team of product owners.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving technology, data, and business stakeholders from concept through delivery.
• Experience translating business needs into technical requirements and delivering product features in an agile environment.
• Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and prioritization skills.

Preferred

• Experience implementing predictive models, machine learning solutions, or advanced analytics solutions for Underwriting.
• Deep understanding of underwriting automation tools (e.g., rules engines, decision platforms, workflow systems).
• Product Owner certification, Agile certification (e.g., CSPO, PMI-ACP, or similar) or experience working in agile delivery environments.
• Knowledge of regulatory, compliance, and governance considerations in underwriting
• Prior experience with vendor evaluation or 3rd party solution integration.

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Pay Transparency

Salary Range: $156,000-$223,000 

Overtime eligible: Exempt 

Discretionary bonus eligible: Yes 

Sales bonus eligible: No 

Actual base salary will be determined based on several factors but not limited to individual’s experience, skills, qualifications, and job location. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition to base salary, employees may also be eligible to participate in an incentive program.

Our Benefits

We provide a full package of benefits for employees – and have unique offerings for a modern workforce, including leave programs, adoption assistance, and student loan repayment programs. Based on feedback from our employees, we continue to refine and add benefits to our offering, so that you can flourish both inside and outside of work. Click here to discover more about our comprehensive benefit options or visit our NYL Benefits Site.

Our Commitment to Inclusion
At New York Life, fostering an inclusive workplace is fundamental to who we are and how we serve our communities. We have a longstanding commitment to creating an environment where individuals can contribute their best and succeed together. This foundation is rooted in our core values of humanity and integrity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported. By embracing a broad range of perspectives and experiences, we achieve greater success and fulfill our promise of providing financial security and peace of mind to families across all communities. Click here to learn more about New York Life’s leadership in this space.​

Recognized as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, New York Life is committed to improving local communities through a culture of employee giving and volunteerism, supported by the Foundation. We're proud that due to our mutuality, we operate in the best interests of our policy owners. To learn more about career opportunities at New York Life, please visit the Careers page of www.NewYorkLife.com.

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Job Requisition ID: 93195