VP - Underwriter P&C

Overview:

We are representing a leading Tier 1 global insurance firm with a strong reputation for excellence and innovation in the insurance industry. The client is seeking an experienced and dynamic Vice President (VP) Property Underwriter to join the growing underwriting team in London. The successful candidate will take on a key leadership role in managing and expanding our property underwriting portfolio, driving profitable growth, and overseeing the underwriting strategy for large and complex property risks.

As a VP Property Underwriter, you will oversee the entire property underwriting process, provide strategic guidance to the team, manage key client relationships, and contribute to the firm's growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Property Underwriting Leadership:
  Lead the underwriting process for large, complex, and high-value property risks across a wide range of industries, including commercial, industrial, real estate, and construction. Set and implement underwriting strategies, ensuring adherence to the firm's risk appetite and guidelines.

• Portfolio Management:
  Oversee the performance of the property portfolio, identifying opportunities to optimize underwriting results, enhance risk selection, and improve profitability. Regularly assess risk exposure and recommend strategies to manage or mitigate risk.

• Strategic Development:
  Collaborate with senior leadership to develop long-term strategies for expanding the firm's property portfolio. Contribute to market-facing initiatives, including identifying growth opportunities in targeted industries or geographies.

• Team Leadership and Development:
  Lead, mentor, and develop a team of underwriters. Provide coaching on complex risk analysis, pricing, and decision-making to ensure that the team operates at the highest standard. Foster a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and high performance.

• Client and Broker Relationship Management:
  Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key clients, brokers, and reinsurers. Act as the senior property underwriting representative in client meetings, negotiating terms and providing tailored solutions to meet client needs.

• Innovation and Product Development:
  Work closely with the product development and risk management teams to create innovative property insurance products that meet the evolving needs of clients. Monitor emerging risks and market trends to ensure the firm's offerings remain competitive and relevant.

• Compliance and Risk Management:
  Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry standards in all underwriting activities. Evaluate and approve underwriting decisions, ensuring a balanced approach to risk selection, retention, and pricing.

• Reporting and Performance Monitoring:
  Provide regular reporting on underwriting performance, portfolio trends, and key risk indicators to senior management. Analyze loss ratios, pricing adequacy, and underwriting profitability, recommending actions to address underperformance where necessary.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Experience:
  Minimum of 10-15 years of experience in property underwriting, with at least 5-7 years in a leadership role. Proven track record in managing large, complex property risks within a Tier 1 or major global insurance firm.

• Technical Expertise:
  In-depth knowledge of property underwriting, including risk assessment, pricing, portfolio management, and loss analysis. Familiarity with complex property sectors such as commercial real estate, construction, industrial risks, and global property portfolios.

• Leadership and Influence:
  Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and motivate a high-performing team. Proven ability to influence key stakeholders across the business and drive strategic initiatives.

• Client-Facing Skills:
  Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with brokers, clients, and reinsurers. Strong negotiation and presentation skills, with the ability to craft tailored insurance solutions for complex risks.

• Analytical and Decision-Making Skills:
  Advanced analytical abilities with a strong understanding of property risk, pricing, and underwriting principles. Ability to make informed, data-driven decisions and navigate complex underwriting challenges.

• Educational Background:
  A degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field. Professional qualifications such as ACII (Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute) or equivalent are highly desirable.

• Technical Proficiency:
  Proficient in underwriting software, MS Office Suite, and relevant industry tools and platforms.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong strategic thinking and commercial acumen, with the ability to anticipate market changes and align underwriting strategies with business objectives.
• Proactive and adaptable, with a proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and team-building skills, with a focus on creating a high-performance culture.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to convey complex underwriting concepts to both internal and external stakeholders.