Senior Manager – Operations (Australian Underwriting)

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage underwriting operations across multiple teams to deliver high-quality outcomes within defined SLAs and turnaround times (TATs).
• Develop and implement strategic plans to optimize team performance, capacity planning, and resource utilization.
• Monitor underwriting decisions for adherence to client guidelines and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with quality, training, and compliance teams to drive accuracy and reduce error rates.
• Analyze process gaps and implement improvement initiatives using Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
• Review and interpret underwriting data and trends to provide business insights and recommend operational strategies.
• Drive performance reviews, governance reporting, and client presentations.
• Manage team escalations, mentor managers and team leads, and promote a culture of accountability.
• Maintain operational compliance with internal policies, industry regulations, and client-specific requirements.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• In-depth understanding of underwriting processes (mortgage/loan/insurance).
• Strong leadership and team management skills in a high-volume operations environment.
• Decision-making ability in complex underwriting scenarios.
• Proficiency in workflow management, reporting tools, and operational metrics.
• Excellent communication, client management, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience in process improvement, automation, and change management.
• Strong analytical skills and familiarity with quality tools (RCA, Pareto, etc.).

Qualifications & Experience:

• Graduate/Postgraduate in Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or related field.
• 12 years of total experience with at least 6 years in underwriting operations leadership.
• Experience in US/UK/AU mortgage or financial underwriting processes preferred.
• Certification in Six Sigma, PMP, or similar methodologies is an added advantage.