AVP, UW&C Services, Protection, SEA & India

Job Title AVP, UW&C Services, Protection, SEA & India Job Description The Role The role of AVP, Underwriting & Claims Services, Protection, Asia involves serving as a senior member of the Underwriting & Claims Services & Transformation global leadership team contributing to strategies and initiatives that enhance PL Re’s underwriting and claims capabilities and support the long-term UWC strategy. The role will also work closely with market heads to ensure the client needs and expectations are delivered. As the face of Pacific Life Re in Asia for Underwriting & Claims Services, the AVP will maintain strong relationships with key clients and market stakeholders while delivering a differentiated service proposition aligned to client needs, risk appetite and business priorities. The role is responsible for balancing service excellence, operational scalability, governance and commercial value creation while ensuring alignment with PL Re’s strategic and risk management focus. The AVP is expected to contribute to the development of a One UWC culture through cross-regional collaboration, knowledge sharing, resource pooling initiatives and the consistent delivery of service standards across markets. In addition, the role will support the evolution of scalable operating models, including growth markets such as India, whilst maintaining clear accountability, robust controls and transparent governance. This includes driving operational efficiency, innovation and the responsible adoption of AI and technology to improve consistency, quality and scalability across underwriting and claims services. The role will also provide oversight of portfolio performance, risk controls, audit activity and management information, using insights from referrals, audits, claims experience and portfolio trends to identify emerging risks, strengthen governance and support commercially appropriate decision making. Team Management (40%) • Lead a team of direct reports, utilising appropriate resources, networks, and tools to ensure delivery against plan, while providing performance management, technical development, and coaching. • Ensure that the team meets their defined goals and objectives by providing support and facilitating collaboration within specified timeframes, achieving key results. • Develop and foster a high-performance culture by setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and encouraging continuous improvement and innovation. • Champion, role model, and encourage a culture in line with PL Re values and behaviours. • Recruitment focuses on ensuring the right people are matched to roles and the team culture. • Lead team resourcing and capacity planning, ensuring the operating model, skills mix, and deployment of resources remain aligned with business priorities, client needs, and future demand. • Build future-ready capability by maintaining development plans, identifying skills gaps, supporting career pathways and providing opportunities for employees to gain broader regional and global exposure. • Support the development of a One UWC culture by fostering collaboration across markets, functions and disciplines, encouraging knowledge sharing and creating an environment where employees feel connected to the broader organisation. Scale Capabilities - Internal Governance, Training, System Enhancement, Ocean (Underwriting Manual) Development (20%) • Maintain oversight and strategic understanding of relevant regulatory changes and their impacts on the insurance and reinsurance markets. • Maintain expert knowledge of and provide strategic oversight to the regular maintenance of risk management policies. • Identify role-relevant knowledge gaps within the team and deliver appropriate training to ensure all identified gaps are fully addressed, resulting in a more skilled and knowledgeable team. • Lead or serve as SME for Chorus (Internal UWC assessment system), with responsibility for continuous efficiency gains and user testing of new functionality. • Drive operational efficiency initiatives across underwriting and claims, including the exploration and responsible adoption of AI-enabled tools, automation, and workflow improvements where they enhance quality, consistency, and scalability. • Support Ocean development work, including client engagement regarding risk philosophy changes and client-requested enhancements. • Support the ongoing development of global operating models and governance frameworks, ensuring clarity of accountability, decision-making authority and escalation pathways. • Leverage operational, referral, audit and portfolio data to provide actionable insights, improve service quality, identify emerging risks and support strategic decision making. • Drive adoption of data, automation and AI-enabled capabilities to enhance consistency, scalability and operational effectiveness. • Strengthen portfolio management disciplines by monitoring experience, referral trends, audit outcomes and risk indicators, ensuring insights are translated into risk controls, underwriting philosophy updates and targeted management actions. External Focus - Client Engagement and Training (20%) • Leverage our deep understanding of clients' businesses and market differentiators to enhance relationships through strategic engagement and leadership ensuring sustained client loyalty and satisfaction. Utilise this insight to strengthen high-value client partnerships, positioning PL Re as a market leader. • Develop and deliver differentiated service propositions for key clients, including referral support, audits, training, service standards and value-added activities aligned to client needs and business priorities. • Use client interactions and market insight to proactively identify opportunities for innovation, operational improvements and enhanced client outcomes. Client Auditing and UnderwriteMe Rules Auditing (10%) • Audit plans are overseen and audit activities governed accordingly, includi…