Senior Underwriter - Marine

Job Summary

Zurich is one of the world’s leading insurance groups, and one of the few to operate on a global basis. Our mission is to help our customers understand and protect themselves from risk.  With around 55,000 employees serving customers in more than 215 countries and territories, we aspire to become the best global insurer as measured by our shareholders, customers and employees. We help individuals, small and medium sized companies and global corporations around the world understand and protect themselves from risk by offering a wide range of insurance products, solutions and advisory services.

Commercial Insurance Middle East is looking for a Senior Underwriter - Marine to join our team and play a key role in our Middle East Team. This individual will independently underwrites business of medium to high complexity and is well-regarded for their knowledge of Marine Cargo.

Job Accountabilities

As Senior Underwriter – Marine, your role will involve: 

• Working under minimal direction, underwrite and analyze new and renewal business within delegated authority levels of highly complex assignments.
• Demonstrate specialized knowledge and expertise in products and industry.
• Administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws and regulations, and rating manuals.
• Work at the highest authority limits on assignments utilizing the highest degree of technical complexity and coordination. Develop and maintain relationships with distributors (agents & brokers) in support of business retention and acquisition and works with customers and distributors (agents & brokers) to determine their insurance related needs and provide solutions.
• Support the organization's sales culture by being a Help Point for agents, brokers and customers.
• Contribute to the development of propositions. Provide technical guidance, assistance, and training to lower level underwriters.
• Proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities.
• Complete detailed opportunity assessment with key distributors to identify growth opportunities.
• Qualify accounts to meet with the organization's appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity.
• Make agent/broker/customer and on-sight calls with a planned and well-prepared purpose.
• Negotiate Terms & Conditions and close deals.
• Cross-Sell other lines of business to increase product density with the account.
• Participate in Sales Team meeting as related to assigned brokers and / or territory.
• Proactively engage in the target account process, managing a qualified list of opportunities 90 to 120 days prior to effective date.
• Update required systems with details of broker / client visits and account status within specified time frame.
• Serve as key contact for assigned target accounts.
• Develop strong broker and client networks as related to industries underwritten by Business Unit.
• Calculate Target Price accurately by utilizing underwriting tools appropriately.
• Sponsor / lead product development.
• Develop training.
• Drive/manage how Business Unit will deal with emerging issues.
• Resolve technical issues for company.
• Provide expertise on coverage issues with claims.
• Develop u/w manuals, programs and guidelines.
• Handle & review large/complex underwriting submissions and annual underwriting reviews.
• Benchmark and establish best practices.
• Act as mentor.

Job Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent and 7 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area. 
• Maintain a primary underwriting focus on Marine Cargo, including the assessment, pricing, structuring, and management of complex cargo risks and portfolios.
• Strong knowledge of underwriting philosophy, techniques, national/local filing regulations and guidelines
• Ability to effectively assess risk
• Ability to work in a team-based environment
• Knowledge of time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
• Experience with Microsoft Office
• Strong presentation skills