Restructuring Manager / M&A Manager

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 retrospective 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 into the Head of Group Reinsurance and the Group CFO. Further, ZLS is seen as a market leader in legacy disposals across the worldwide external legacy market. This role is a hybrid in-office role in working out of our Schaumburg, IL headquarters.

The Role

The role is to provide overall support to the transaction lead, which would encompass identification and execution of exit strategies which maximize shareholder growth, achieve finality and recycle 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 exit. 

The ideal candidate is a person with a finance/ business/ accounting background and experience in the insurance/ reinsurance industry. Such person would have a good knowledge of insurance accounting and would ideally have experience working on either the sale or acquisition of insurance/ reinsurance companies or portfolios.

What will you be doing?

•  Activities to promote ZLS and contribute to the overall ZLS portfolio exit strategy:
  • 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 business relationships with buyers, sellers, reinsurers, intermediaries, external advisers and internal stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of portfolio disposal strategies.
• Supporting the onboarding and management of portfolios from across the Zurich group:
  • Collaborating with local BU staff to understand and evaluate portfolio characteristics.
  • Analysis of the underlying data in the portfolio and segmenting the information to identify embedded value for potential buyers.
  • Discussions with Actuarial about portfolio reserving.
  • Supporting in the work led by the transaction lead across Underwriting, Claims, Actuarial and Finance functions to ensure operational effectiveness before exit.
  • Contributing to the delivery of high levels of customer service to ZLS’ BU partners across the Zurich group.
• Day-to-day management of sell-side transaction processes up to execution:
  • Working with internal colleagues or professional advisers, preparing sale documentation and 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.
  • Contributing to the exit strategy to maximize shareholder value and achieve finality.
  • Supporting the preparation of detailed business case presentations to secure internal sign off.
• Providing post-transaction execution support:
  • Working with other functions within ZLS to ensure regulatory consents are secured in advance of, or following, an exit.
  • Preparing and supporting in the execution of the internal and external communication plan including staff plan for the team that works on the portfolio being exited.
  • Preparing and executing a plan to ensure smooth transition to the preferred bidder and project manage separation and post closing issues.
  • Preparing and executing plan for reputational issues post exit.

What are we looking for?

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree and 6 or more years of experience in the Accounting or Finance area
  OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 8 or more years of experience in the Accounting or Finance area
  OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including Associate Degree and 6 or more years of experience in the Accounting or Finance area

Preferred Qualifications:

• Buy or sell-side project management experience in a corporate M&A environment, including due diligence processes.
• Insurance finance & accounting knowledge with emphasis on M&A and reinsurance transaction experience.
• Interest in, and ability to, research companies and markets
• Working knowledge of the legacy insurance/ reinsurance market.

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
Remote Working: Hybrid
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered: No  
 
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