--- title: 'Senior Director - Portfolio Risk & Underwriting Strategy at Protective' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-director-portfolio-risk-underwriting-strategy-protective-remote-kpasrm5tjn0m' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-11' --- # Senior Director - Portfolio Risk & Underwriting Strategy at Protective - **Company:** Protective - **Location:** Remote - **Compensation:** $137k–$210k - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** remote - **Posted:** 2026-11-04 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-11 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/protective/c5449205-73a6-4b96-96f3-3cfabed66c9c ## Job description The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it. We help protect our customers against life’s uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you’ll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most. Help shape the profitability and risk strategy of a growing, multi-product Asset Protection portfolio. Protective is seeking a senior insurance leader who can connect underwriting judgment with actuarial analysis, pricing, forecasting, and portfolio performance management. This high-visibility role will influence decisions across vehicle protection plans, GAP coverage, limited warranties, and ancillary products serving automotive, marine, powersports, and recreational vehicle markets. You will lead underwriting strategy and governance, turn complex portfolio data into clear actions, and advise executive leaders on growth, profitability, and risk. This opportunity is well suited to a P&C actuarial or underwriting leader who enjoys moving beyond analysis to shape products, risk appetite, operating practices, and business outcomes. You will also build organizational capability by developing talent and strengthening the tools and processes used to manage the portfolio. ## Key Responsibilities - Lead portfolio risk management and performance oversight across products, programs, distribution channels, and geographies, with accountability for profitable growth and disciplined risk selection. - Analyze loss, exposure, pricing, frequency, severity, mix-of-business, and market trends to identify emerging risks and recommend timely portfolio actions. - Direct underwriting strategy and governance, including pricing, eligibility, authority, referral, and exception frameworks; ensure decisions align with business objectives and risk appetite. - Partner with Actuarial, Product, Finance, Sales, and Operations to evaluate product changes, pricing actions, reserving implications, and opportunities to improve portfolio returns. - Guide the development and use of forecasts, predictive models, simulations, dashboards, and scenario analyses, translating technical results into practical business decisions. - Establish portfolio monitoring routines, performance thresholds, and executive reporting that make profitability drivers and risk concentrations visible and actionable. - Influence product design and program strategy by assessing financial, actuarial, underwriting, operational, and customer impacts. - Lead complex decisions in ambiguous, high-impact situations and communicate recommendations, trade-offs, and financial implications to senior leadership. - Improve underwriting processes, data, tools, controls, and governance to increase consistency, scalability, speed, and decision quality. - Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team while strengthening collaboration and analytical capability across the organization. Core Competencies (skills, knowledge and abilities): - Deep knowledge of underwriting, portfolio management, risk selection, and insurance profitability drivers. - Strong actuarial and quantitative orientation, including pricing, forecasting, trend analysis, scenario modeling, and performance measurement. - Ability to connect technical findings to underwriting actions, product strategy, financial outcomes, and risk appetite. - Understanding of loss cost, frequency, severity, exposure, mix, concentration, and rate adequacy concepts relevant to P&C or specialty insurance portfolios. - Executive-level communication skills, including the ability to explain complex analyses to technical and nontechnical audiences. - Strategic judgment and the ability to balance growth, customer, profitability, compliance, and risk considerations. - Cross-functional leadership and influence across Actuarial, Product, Finance, Sales, Operations, and Technology. - People leadership, coaching, talent development, and organizational change capability. - Comfort navigating incomplete information, challenging assumptions, and making sound decisions in rapidly evolving markets. Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Finance, Risk Management, Business, or a related field. - 7+ years of progressive experience in underwriting, actuarial, portfolio management, product management, risk management, or a related insurance discipline. - 4+ years of relevant leadership experience, including direct people management. - Experience managing portfolio performance and profitability across multiple products, programs, markets, or distribution channels. - Experience using analytics, performance metrics, and financial insights to support strategic decisions and portfolio actions. - Demonstrated success partnering across functions to shape business strategy and execute complex initiatives. - Ability to present recommendations and influence decisions at the senior-leadership level. Preferred Qualifications: - 8+ years of progressive experience in actuarial, underwriting, portfolio management, product, or insurance risk leadership. - ACAS, FCAS, or meaningful progress toward a Casualty Actuarial Society designation; CPCU, ARM, or another relevant insurance credential also valued. - Experience in automotive finance and insurance (F&I), extended service contracts, vehicle protection products, warranty administration, specialty insurance, or adjacent P&C markets. - Experience with pricing strategy, reserving, predictive analytics, loss trend analysis, or actuarial model implementation. - Experience leading underwriting transformation, governance, data modernization, or technology-enabled decisioning. - Advanced degree such as an MBA, MS, or related discipline. ## About Us – Asset Protection Protective Asset Protection has been providing finance and insurance (F&I) solutions for the automotive industry for more than 60 years. We proudly serve thousands of dealerships and financial institutions in the automotive, marine, powersports and recreation vehicle industries throughout the U.S. providing innovative vehicle protection products, wealth-building programs, training, and technology. Our portfolio of vehicle protection plans, GAP coverage, limited warranties, and ancillary products provide opportunities to generate revenue with products that help drive customer retention and satisfaction. Protective Asset Protection is part of the financial services holding company, Protective Life Corporation. For more information about Protective Asset Protection visit www.ProtectiveAssetProtection.com. #ind123 #LI-AP1 Employee Benefits: We aim to protect the wellbeing of our employees and their families with a broad benefits offering. In addition to offering comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, we support emotional wellbeing through mental health benefits and an employee assistance program. Work/life balance is important and Protective offers a variety of paid time away benefits (e.g., paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day). The financial health of our employees is just as important as physical and emotional health.  Some of the financial wellbeing benefits include contributions to healthcare accounts, a pension plan, and a 401(k) plan with Company matching. All employees are encouraged to protect their overall wellbeing by engaging in ProHealth Rewards, Protective’s platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards. Eligibility for certain benefits may vary by position in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit plans. Accommodations for Applicants with a Disability: If you require an accommodation to complete the application and recruitment process due to a disability, please email eric.hess@protective.com. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application and recruitment process. Please note that the above email is solely for individuals with disabilities requesting an accommodation.  General employment questions should not be sent through this process. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to being inclusive and attracting, retaining, and growing an inclusive workforce. ## About Protective ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Protective is a financial services company providing life insurance, retirement solutions, employee benefits, and asset protection products to individuals and businesses. - **Entity Type**: Private (Subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc., TSE:8750) - **Headquarters**: Birmingham, Alabama, United States - **Founded**: 1907 - **Founders**: Not publicly available ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Insurance (Life, Annuity, Asset Protection, Employee Benefits) - **Target customers**: B2C (individuals) and B2B (employers, partners) - **Mission or purpose statement**: "To help everyone deserve confidence through life's moments — big, small and everything in between." [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us) ## Products & Services - **[Life Insurance]**: Offers term life, whole life, and universal life policies for individuals and families. - **[Retirement Solutions]**: Fixed and variable annuities, retirement income planning products. - **[Asset Protection]**: Commercial mortgage investments, structured settlements, and stable value products via Protective Asset Division. - **[Employee Benefits]**: Group life, disability, and other workplace benefit programs for employers. - **[Acquisitions & Stable Value]**: Manages and acquires in-force blocks of life insurance and annuity policies. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, TSE:8750) - **Key Metric**: $6.4B annual revenue (PLICO financials) [wellfound.com](https://linkedin.com/company/protective-life) - **Total Assets**: $142 billion as of December 31, 2025 [protective.com](https://investor.protective.com/Company-Overview/default.aspx) - **Net Income**: $389 million USD (2024) [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/protective-life) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Parent company Dai-ichi Life Holdings (Japan), one of the largest life insurers globally. - **Growth Signals**: - Over 14.4 million customers served. - 61 acquisitions in company history. [protective.com](https://investor.protective.com/Company-Overview/default.aspx) - ~32 million policies and contracts in force. - $1 trillion life insurance in force. - 3,800+ employees as of Jan 1, 2026 (up from 3,800 reported in 2023). - Fastest growing core site in the greater Cincinnati area. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers) ## Competitive Advantages - **115+ Years of Stability**: Founded in 1907, the company has a long track record of financial strength and reliability. - **Parent Backing**: As part of Dai-ichi Life Group, a global top-tier insurer, Protective has access to significant capital and a long-term strategic focus. - **Diversified Portfolio**: Multiple business segments (Protection, Retirement, Asset Protection, Acquisitions) create revenue stability and cross-selling opportunities. - **Strong Financial Ratings**: A focus on conservative risk management and a large asset base ($142B) provides market confidence. - **Scale and Distribution**: A massive in-force block ($1T life insurance) and a large, established customer base. ## Strategic Focus - **Organic & Inorganic Growth**: Continues to acquire blocks of policies and companies (61 in history) while expanding its core product lines. - **Virtual Workforce Expansion**: More than half of employees are now remote, signaling a commitment to a flexible, distributed workforce. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers) - **Digital Transformation**: Investments in technology and data to improve customer experience and operational efficiency. - **Talent Development**: Strong focus on internal mobility, continuous learning, and career enrichment programs. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Emphasizes a "protector" mindset, focusing on service to customers, colleagues, and communities. Recognized for workplace engagement and inclusivity. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers) - **Hybrid/Remote Work**: Over 50% of the workforce is remote/virtual. Three core sites in Birmingham (HQ), Greater Cincinnati, and St. Louis offer hybrid options. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers) - **Benefits**: Comprehensive package including medical/dental/vision with HSA/FSA, a pension plan funded by the company, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, paid parental leave, short- and long-term disability, adoption assistance, and life insurance. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers) - **Career Development**: Company-sponsored education courses, tuition reimbursement, scholarship opportunities for dependents, and a semi-annual "Pulse Survey" to shape culture and learning opportunities. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers) - **Notable Perk**: Pension plan remains a differentiator in the current job market. ## Sources 1. [protective.com - Company Overview](https://www.protective.com/about-us) 2. [protective.com - Careers Page](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers) 3. [investor.protective.com - Company Overview](https://investor.protective.com/Company-Overview/default.aspx) 4. [linkedin.com - Protective Life](https://linkedin.com/company/protective-life) 5. [jobs.lever.co/protective - Job Listings](https://jobs.lever.co/protective) ## Other roles at Protective - [Compliance & Product Specialist - Obsidian](https://feeny.ai/job/compliance-product-specialist-obsidian-protective-remote-75wb6je2dnct) - [Sales Associate - Asset Protection, Direct Channel](https://feeny.ai/job/sales-associate-asset-protection-direct-channel-protective-remote-gbpata3qbath) - [RVP - Broker Dealer Division - South Central](https://feeny.ai/job/rvp-broker-dealer-division-south-central-protective-remote-fdj28atbf30c) - [Legal Support](https://feeny.ai/job/legal-support-protective-birmingham-zqnd3xk2nyxs) — Birmingham, AL - [Internal Wholesaler II- (Protection & Retirement)](https://feeny.ai/job/internal-wholesaler-ii-protection-retirement-protective-remote-xgc4m6959j3c) - [Principal - Tax Planning & Strategy](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-tax-planning-strategy-protective-remote-5gsy011re4y6) - [Counsel](https://feeny.ai/job/counsel-protective-birmingham-mdc3mxtvmh3x) — Birmingham, AL - [Spec II CX Operations (Remote)](https://feeny.ai/job/spec-ii-cx-operations-remote-protective-remote-8md1k9a1t61g) - [Installation Technician- StarGard](https://feeny.ai/job/installation-technician-stargard-protective-van-nuys-yrseh2hahcq4) — Van Nuys, CA - [Senior UX/UI Designer (Remote)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-ux-ui-designer-remote-protective-remote-kmv1t5xs5as2)