Restructuring Director / M&A Director

Restructuring Director / M&A Director

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.

Location: London / Hybrid Working

The opportunity: 

We are seeking a proactive team player to join the restructuring team within Zurich Legacy Solutions (“ZLS”). We expect the individual to be engaging, calm under pressure, and comfortable expressing their views whilst always acting and promoting ZLS’ high ethical standards.

ZLS is a global function responsible for working with Business Units (“BUs") across the Zurich Group to manage their capital. This is achieved by taking onboard management control of legacy portfolios and transacting them in the market through long-term reinsurance solutions or by legal transfer. The team is mainly based in the UK and the US, supporting BUs across the globe.

ZLS is a high-profile team within the Zurich Group with direct reporting lines to the Head of Group Treasury and the Group CFO. Further, ZLS is seen as a market leader in legacy disposals across the worldwide external legacy market.

The role is to provide overall support to the commercial transaction lead, which would encompass the identification and execution of exit strategies which maximize shareholder growth, achieves finality and recycles capital back to the Zurich Group to invest in its core business.  The role also involves ensuring that the business operates efficiently and that service levels are maintained while the portfolio is prepared for an exit. 

An ideal candidate is a person with a track-record of working on either the sale or acquisition of insurance/reinsurance companies or portfolios, with a strong technical background and experience across underwriting, claims, actuarial, finance and legal.

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at the interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing? 

• Identifying the relevant market benchmarks and trends for the run-off industry as well as any managed portfolios.
• Researching, documenting, and presenting information on the buyer universe.
• Developing strong business relationships with buyers, sellers, reinsurers, intermediaries, and external advisers to facilitate the delivery of portfolio disposal strategies.
• Supporting the analysis of the underlying data in the portfolio and segmenting the information to identify embedded value for potential buyers.
• Contributing to the delivery of high levels of customer service to ZLS’ BU partners across the Zurich group.
• Contributing to the discussions with Actuarial about portfolio reserving.
• Leading work across Underwriting, Claims, Actuarial and Finance functions to ensure operational effectiveness before exit.
• Leading the exit strategy to maximize shareholder value and achieve finality.
• Leading the preparation of detailed business case presentations to secure internal sign-off.
• Working with internal colleagues or professional advisers, preparing information memoranda and overseeing the creation of a Data Room.
• Managing buyers’ information and access requests during a live transaction process.
• Assisting ZLS legal and external counsel where relevant, in developing a suite of legal contracts.
• Assisting in contract negotiations.
• Working with other functions within ZLS to ensure regulatory consents are secured in advance of, or following, an exit.
• Leading the execution of the internal and external communication plan including the staff plan for the team that works on the portfolio being exited.
• Preparing and executing a plan to ensure a smooth transition to the preferred bidder and project management separation and post-closing issues.

What are we looking for?

Required:

• Experience in mergers & acquisitions in the financial sector or experience in technical insurance roles with a good understanding of transaction processes 
• Insurance finance & accounting knowledge with an emphasis on M&A and reinsurance transaction experience.
• Project management experience in a corporate M&A environment.
• Significant experience working in insurance / finance
• Excellent stakeholder management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; in particular experience in preparing PowerPoint presentations to a high standard.

Preferred:

• Working knowledge of the legacy insurance market
• Other insurance industry experience, e.g. in claims, underwriting, or actuarial teams
• Experience working with businesses internationally
• Capability in one or more foreign languages
• Finance, Business, Accounting, Actuarial or similar degree; or relevant professional qualification

As an inclusive employer, we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and can perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

What will you get in return?

Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.

Follow the link for more information about our benefits - Employee benefits | Working at Zurich Insurance UK

Who we are:

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.

With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture:

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement, and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us. #LI-Hybrid