Ceded Reinsurance Underwriting Manager
Zurich is currently hiring a Ceded Reinsurance Underwriting Manager in the US. This role reports into the Head of Ceded Reinsurance within Group Reinsurance, Zurich's central Reinsurance function.
This role will have the responsibility for developing and executing Zurich’s treaty reinsurance strategy, in support of our business strategy and plan, with a focus in the US, but also globally.
In line with the global reinsurance strategy, the Ceded Reinsurance Underwriting Manager will develop and manage relationships with assigned businesses and work closely to build and execute treaty reinsurance strategies that meet the needs of our businesses.
This includes development and alignment of our treaty level reinsurance strategy with stakeholders, developing a marketing plan using data, negotiations with reinsurers, conclusion, documentation, and signing complex treaty reinsurance agreements in accordance with the personal underwriting authority granted by the Group.
What you will do:
- Positioned as a business partner, develop, and align treaty level reinsurance strategies, in conjunction with key stakeholders, to support our business strategy and plan. This includes treaty structural optimization and defining scope of cover.
- Working closely with Group Reinsurance and BU Actuarial colleagues utilizing their insights and findings in the decision-making process.
- Executing treaty reinsurance agreements, which includes managing a data call process, communicating, and negotiating with reinsurance partners, contract development, execution, and documentation of reinsurance agreements.
Examples include:
- Ensuring that data is suitable for external and internal treaty pricing purposes.
- Design scope of cover and facilitate the development of contract wording.
- Coordinate running internal pricing models, calculation of benchmark price, and optimize reinsurance structure.
- Negotiate and agree terms and conditions with approved reinsurers; finalize contract wordings.
- Ensure reinsurance governance in accordance with the Zurich Risk Policy is adhered to and documented as required.
- Actively supporting and promoting relationship management with the Zurich Business Units, and support the relationship management of attributed cedents, reinsurers, and/or reinsurance brokers.
- Supporting treaty premium planning & analysis for assigned business
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a Global team at Zurich and manage both US and Global third-party treaty reinsurance agreements.
This role follows a hybrid work model requiring three days per week of in-person presence, which may include time in the office or market-facing engagements.
What you bring to the table:
- Ability to build strong business partnering relationships within Zurich.
- Experience working across business units/functions and collaboration in a team environment.
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience of Reinsurance, underwriting, or brokerage.
- Strong verbal and written communication abilities, capable of engaging with high management levels.
- Proficiency and motivation in working with technical details.
- Strategic thinking capabilities
- Proficiency in influencing and negotiation.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and 10 or more years of experience in the Reinsurance area
OR - High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the Reinsurance area
AND - Experience in claims, reinsurance, and legal/coverage issues on direct and reinsurance claims for multiple lines of business.
- Leadership experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Negotiation and business partnering experience.
- Underwriting background / experience
- Strong analytics skillset
- Advanced knowledge of reinsurance contracts
Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply—your unique background matters to us. The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The proposed Salary range for this position is $132,500.00 - $217,000.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 25%.
We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards here.]
Why Zurich?
At Zurich, we value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment—so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500®.
Join us for a brighter future—for yourself and our customers.
Zurich in North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets.
Zurich complies with 18 U.S. Code § 1033.
Please note: Zurich does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies. Preferred vendors should use our Recruiting Agency Portal.
Location(s): AM - Schaumburg, AM - Chicago, AM - New York
Remote Working: Hybrid
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered: No
Linkedin Recruiter Tag: #LI-GR1 #LI-EXECUTIVE #LI-HYBRID
Nearest Major Market: Chicago