Executive Manager - Claims/Underwriting
Dublin, IE
• Full Time Permanent position
• Hybrid role based in our City Centre offices
Fitness and Probity
This role is a ‘pre-approved controlled function’ as defined by the Central Bank Reform Act 2010 Regulations 2011. Any appointment will be conditional on the company being satisfied that the appointee meets the requirements as set out in the Fitness and Probity and SEAR standards issued by the Central Bank. This requires the company to complete prescribed due diligence to assess the appointee’s fitness and probity. Further details on this due diligence process are available from ILFS Human Resources.
What we offer
We have embraced a hybrid working model for most of our positions, which means that you can enjoy a balanced approach of working from home for part of the week and working from the office for the remainder of the week.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including competitive salaries and bonuses, robust Learning and Development support, excellent Defined Contribution pension and comprehensive Wellbeing initiatives and support to name but a few.
Further details on our benefits package can be accessed here Benefits (life-careers.com)
At Irish Life, our purpose is to help people build better futures. Our company values shape everything we do and underpin our vision of being the driving force behind Ireland’s financial, physical, and mental well-being.
We believe in doing the right thing—acting with integrity and making fair, responsible decisions. We aim high, setting ambitious goals and find better ways to innovate and improve. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and we are dedicated to understanding their needs and exceeding their expectations. Achieving this this is only possible when we work best together—in a supportive, collaborative environment where every idea and contribution is valued.
Role Overview
Irish Life Assurance (ILA) is recruiting a Head of Claims - Executive Manager (GWL13) reporting to the Head of Products and Pricing. The role is responsible for the oversight and operation of claims for Irish Life’s life cover, specified illness, income protection and other related benefits.
As the Head of Claims, you will contribute strongly to the delivery of Irish Life’s ‘Better Futures Strategy 2028’ as a key member of the product and pricing leadership team and will work closely with the Customer Services claims operations teams.
You will drive key protection claims initiatives, ensuring the seamless execution of strategic claims priorities, fostering cross functional collaboration whilst ensuring compliance with controls and best risk management and governance practices.
You will be the ILA Head of Claims, PCF 43 and covered by IAF/SEAR regulations under CBI regulations.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader who wants to play a significant role in leading protection claims strategy into the future.
Job Purpose
- You will have overall responsibility for the governance of Irish Life’s protection claims functions – income protection, specified illness and death claims, across individual and group business lines.
- You will ensure compliance with the relevant policies, particularly in relation to financial controls, and ensuring sufficient safeguards and operational parameters are in place around protection claims technical and medical decisions.
- You will ensure that claims experience is within the levels allowed for in the pricing of protection products, including influencing standards, governance, philosophies and change agendas, to support improved claims experience over time.
- You will safeguard that protection claims are assessed to the highest medical and technical standards and in accordance with Irish Life Values, Code of Conduct, general ethical principles and all regulatory and legal standards.
- You will ensure that there is adequate risk management, operational controls and relationship management are in place, to support the many reassurance treaties in place covering protection claims.
- You will be the lead claims decision maker at executive manager level, making medical and commercial decisions on the most complex protection claims cases using own skills supported by a team of technical experts, within agreed authority limits, and bearing in mind the interests of all stakeholders.
- You will work in collaboration with other parts of the business to improve customer, partner and employee experience, support technological innovation, digital transformation initiatives, leveraging AI and automation to optimize service experience.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following, in addition to above:
• Carry out all responsibilities as Head of Claims/PCF 43 and as required under SEAR – inherent, prescribed and other responsibilities.
• Build and maintain key relationships across Irish Life and the wider Lifeco group and externally with key stakeholders and business partners.
• Build and maintain a deep knowledge of Irish Life Assurance products, markets, distribution channels, competitor positions, claims development trends and regulation including the wider financial services sector.
• Participate strongly and effectively as a member of the products and pricing leadership team to deliver agreed objectives across the function.
• Leadership, relationship and people management as they need to be applied at executive manager level in relation to protection claims.
• Actively seek out opportunities to propose changes to claims philosophies and standards, to maintain excellent governance and maximise potential future commercial benefits.
• Work with underwriting and claims professionals across Irish Life and the group to deliver technical, operational and strategic priorities in respect of protection claims. This includes areas like developing the propositions, driving consistency, develop skills across teams and share ideas.
• Use regular claims data analysis to spot trends and areas to change. Includes oversight of claims auditing, philosophies and governance frameworks.
• Lead and builds a high-performing team and culture, and improves technical decision making by mentoring, coaching, training and support technical career progressions.
• Will work collaboratively with the actuarial reporting and pricing teams and other business area.
• Monitor the external market for claims developments, innovations and new IT technologies and propose changes to improve IL protection claims outcomes.
• Sign off on any significant changes to risk management positions - authority limits, key claims risk operation controls, critical philosophies, technical audits and modifications to reassurance claims authority limits.
• Seek to regularly promote Irish Life protection claims to intermediaries and provide updates to key internal stakeholders and committees.
The Person - Desired Knowledge/Experience/Skills
The ideal candidate should demonstrate the following criteria:
• Can demonstrate strong understanding of the life insurance market, protection products, claims trends/challenges and excellent commercial awareness.
• Understanding of the needs of all stakeholders, as they apply to protection claims and the ability to manage varied stakeholder interests that may exist on any one protection claim.
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship building skills with an ability to influence at all levels of staff, senior management and reassurance partners. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Be a leader in identifying new opportunities, processes, and services for the technical management of protection claims – income protection, death claims and specified illness claims.
• Be a passionate advocate for protection claims, internally and externally, supporting the Irish Life purpose of helping people build better futures.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams in Irish Life.
• Ideally hold the DLDC/DLDU, ACII, QFA or similar appropriate level of qualification (and be compliant with the MCC with regards to CPD).
• Be fully compliant with the Fitness and Probity standards and regulations as this role is a PCF role.
•Have a minimum of 10 years’ experience of protection claims, medical operations or a related area with at least 5 years working at a manager/senior manager level.
Key Competencies
About us
Irish Life is one of Ireland’s largest financial institutions with a presence across a range of financial services markets. We are one of Ireland’s leading financial services groups with over 1.5 million customers. For over 80 years, we’ve been helping people to look after their life insurance, pension and investment needs, and more recently their health insurance.
It is a subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco and a member of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies.
We are proud of our culture of developing and supporting the growth and professional development of our people. The focus has resulted in a team of top talent with high standards, positioning us at the forefront of our industry.
The company reserves the right to draw up a shortlist as part of the selection process. Where Agency assistance is required the Irish Life Recruitment Team will engage directly with suppliers. Unsolicited CVs / profiles supplied to Irish Life by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted for this role.
Irish Life is proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer. We have created an environment of inclusion and growth to help people achieve their potential, to ensure they can bring their whole selves to work and to feel valued. We celebrate diversity of thought and perspective and want all of our employees to feel valued, respected and supported.
We have built a culture that promotes equality and inclusion for all of our current and future employees and strive to ensure that our behaviours, processes and practices are aligned to this culture.
If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process please contact lifecareers@irishlife.ie and we will be delighted to ensure you are fully supported to be your best.
ILFS supports Equal Opportunity and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.