Head of Underwriting, Middle Market

Zurich NA Head of Underwriting, Middle Market - Boston, Massachusetts Zurich North America is seeking a Head of Underwriting for our growing Middle Market team. This role will be responsible for Portfolio Strategy & Execution, Risk Selection and Pricing, Portfolio Stewardship, and Product Management. This is a critical role that requires oversight of strategic underwriting practices nationally. This leader will utilize their expertise to manage, design, and drive diverse multidimensional strategies for our Middle Market book of business. We require strong leadership skills that will cultivate portfolio insights, develop strategy, and deliver a collaborative value chain with our Brokers and Customers.The Head of Underwriting provides underwriting leadership across multiple lines of business to improve underwriting performance. The leader directs the implementation and sustainment of The Zurich Way of Underwriting throughout the LOBs and leads underwriting operational transformation while maintaining a sound governance framework.This position reports to the Head of Middle Market and will be based in one of our Zurich Offices. This role will be part of the CUO leadership team as well as a valued member of the Middle Market leadership team.Responsibilities Include : Works with Business Unit Head on Portfolio Strategy & Execution plan and develops a technical operational plan to support execution.Drives technical aspects of portfolio management including risk selection and pricing needs to improve underwriting performance.Provides input and recommendations into pricing updates and long-term pricing tool refreshes and modernization plans.Creates a rigorous underwriting process and procedure monitoring system.Develops long-term strategic LOB underwriting goals, cycle management strategy, and LOB underwriting policy.Collaborates with Industry Practice heads on appetite definition by LOB.Leads guideline selection, evaluation, and exemption based on MM needs.Leads tiering analysis, guidance, and execution to support portfolio mix goals.Manages referral decision criteria and provides technical advice for nuanced risks.Portfolio stewardship, manages a review and share of large loss lessons by LOB.Leads the UW quality reviews (MPR, TUR) and compliance policy framework.Manages certain aspects of accumulation and CAT management to track, monitor, and approve accumulation as well as CAT data quality, governance, and infrastructure.Manages overall Country Underwriting Plan (CUP) profitability review, including impacts of loss trends, change in portfolio mix, and other book analysis by LOB and segment and delivers output to inform planning.Oversees product development strategy and prioritization in close collaboration with head of Industry Practice, which includes product evaluation, conceptualization & launch, and manuscript drafting.Ensures that all delivery of work to the business unit is coordinated, prioritized, and considered impactful.Identifies skill / competency needs and partners with Underwriting University to confirm training is delivered to support underwriting development.Provides employees with consistent and clear communication on business strategies, profitability objectives, priorities, and accountabilities.Basic Qualifications : Bachelor’s Degree and 15 or more years of experience in the Property & Casualty Commercial Insurance Industry AND prior management experience leading a high-performing team.Preferred Qualifications : Advanced and in-depth knowledge of Middle Market / Multi-Line Products.Portfolio management, risk selection, and pricing experience.Product development and underwriting strategy experience.Strong collaboration, conflict resolution, and influencing skills.Experience building and managing cross-functional teams.Strong executive presence and the ability to interact across all levels of the organization.Ability to manage vision and purpose, lead the organization through innovative and creative thinking.At Zurich, compensation for roles is influenced by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. The proposed salary range for this position is $248,500 – $435,000 with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 50%.As a global company, Zurich recognizes the diversity of our workforce as an asset. We recruit talented people from a variety of backgrounds with unique perspectives that are truly welcome here. Zurich does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status. EOE disability / vetLocation(s) : AM - Atlanta, AM - Boston, AM - Chicago, AM - Dallas, AM - New York, AM - SchaumburgRemote Working : HybridSchedule : Full TimeEmployment Sponsorship Offered : No#J-18808-Ljbffr