Head of Financial Lines (Commercial Insurance Hong Kong)

Job Summary

• This is an underwriting leadership role, responsible for driving profitable growth through formulating and executing underwriting plans & portfolio management strategies
• The role includes direct management of the Hong Kong Financial Lines Underwriting team, as well as setting the direction for customer engagement and Go-To-Market strategies with the HK Line of Business

Job Accountabilities

• Manage Financial Lines (D&O, PI, FI & Cyber) portfolios
• Provide strategic leadership and guidance and as part of the Commercial Leadership team monitor the succession and development of employees
• Manage the team of Underwriters & Senior Underwriters, including individual performance metrics and providing support as needed
• Manage the selection/denial of new and/or renewal business for a line of business within Country
• Underwrite and analyze new and renewal business within delegated authority levels
• Develop and maintain relationships with distributors (agents and brokers) in support of business retention and acquisition and work with customers and distributors (agents & brokers) to determine their insurance-related needs and provide solutions
• Develop, promote and maintain Financial Lines leadership in the external insurance market to maintain the organisation’s position and influence
• Responsible for Pipeline Management; actively participate within the Zurich network leveraging Zurich’s global suite of capabilities and knowledge
• Establish and agree key performance targets and financial budgets for underwriting unit in order to optimize business performance in line with set objectives
• Review themes from complex analysis conducted by others to make informed, authoritative technical/professional recommendations to determine approaches to underwriting in own area in order to improve business performance in the medium and longer term
• Develop processes and review policies relevant to underwriting in own area to ensure they are in line with strategic business objectives
• Manage relationships with key internal stakeholders in order to identify opportunities for service improvement to ensure commercial viability and customer satisfaction
• Participate in leadership team meetings of assigned area to provide specialist guidance and enable the implementation of policy, projects and change initiatives
• Contribute to the business strategy within own area to align underwriting strategy with wider business goals within a particular market
• Participate in the community of global/regional proposition development practitioners in underwriting to share best practice and continue to meet customer´s needs
• Oversee development plans for underwriters across own area of business to ensure the capability exists to drive business results
• Constantly review portfolio performances to ensure financial metrics are met
• Assure development and implementation of policy, procedures and standards to produce profitable results
• Responsible for all portfolio’s data quality
• Accountable for all facultative reinsurance purchases & strategy

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualifications
• Over 10 years underwriting experience in Financial Lines, with solid experience in leading underwriting teams
• Demonstrate specialized knowledge and expertise in products and industry
• Proven track record of driving results in Financial Lines
• Strong Underwriting proficiency, technically Proficient in D&O, PI & FI
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans and company initiatives
• Experience in handling multinational programs
• Proven strong market facing presence in local market and industry network
• Proven track record of growing a business and driving change management in a complex environment
• Commercially astute with a comprehensive understanding of the General Insurance industry and the products available
• Good market insights, trends and market intel, and exposure and insights of international markets an added advantage
• A high-level understanding of underwriting, claims and risk engineering dynamics
• Good understanding of demands and challenges in dealing with Corporate customers, in particular multi-national insurance programs
• Proven knowledge of operational management and in comprehending financials of insurance portfolios
• Good knowledge in portfolio management, KPIs and dynamics
• An excellent understanding of the internal and external regulatory environment and requirements

Why Zurich

At Zurich, we like to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. We take an optimistic approach by focusing on the positives and constantly asking What can go right? 

We are an equal opportunity employer who knows that each employee is unique - that’s what makes our team so great! 
Join us as we constantly explore new ways to protect our customers and the planet.
 

• Location(s):  HK - Hong Kong 
• Remote working: Hybrid