Head of Short-Tail Lines, Commercial Insurance Asia Pacific

The Opportunity

 
You will champion Short-Tail Lines across Asia Pacific for Group Underwriting, supporting Zurich’s commitment to a brighter, more sustainable future.

You will also lead and manage the Short-Tail Underwriting Lines of Business (Engineering, Property, Technical Risk, Marine, and Energy – both onshore and offshore) for the Singapore Commercial Insurance Hub.

Key Accountabilities

• Oversee the selection and renewal of business, underwriting and analyzing new and existing accounts within delegated authority.
• Demonstrate deep expertise in our products and the broader industry, serving as a trusted subject matter expert.
• Administer and monitor underwriting guidelines, insurance laws and regulations, and rating manual rules to ensure compliance and profitability.
• Develop and implement action plans based on reviews of agency portfolios and performance trends, driving profitable growth.
• Build and maintain strong distribution relationships to support business retention and acquisition, working closely with customers to identify and address their insurance needs.
• Act as a key point of contact and support for agents, brokers, and customers, reinforcing Zurich’s sales culture.
• Lead the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and standards to deliver sustainable, profitable results.

Additional Job Functions

• Apply advanced knowledge of products and lines of business to drive results.
• Demonstrate exceptional managerial, team-building, and organizational capabilities.
• Leverage significant leadership experience to guide and inspire teams.
• Utilize strong relationship-building, listening, and negotiation skills to create win-win outcomes.
• Deliver compelling presentations and foster a solutions-driven, customer-oriented approach.

Business Accountabilities

• Set and agree on key performance targets and financial budgets to optimize business performance.
• Lead complex, cross-functional projects as part of major change or business improvement initiatives, often spanning over a year and involving multiple teams.
• Educate and influence senior colleagues by highlighting the impact of policies and governance, ensuring robust risk management.
• Review and interpret complex analysis to provide authoritative recommendations on underwriting strategies.
• Develop and review underwriting processes and policies to align with strategic business objectives.
• Manage relationships with key internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for service improvement and ensure commercial viability.
• Participate in leadership team meetings and global/regional communities to share best practices and align on customer needs.
• Oversee the development and implementation of rating tools and methodologies, delivering value to customers and ensuring commercial success.
• Support underwriter development across the business, ensuring the right capabilities are in place to achieve business goals.

Performance Management Accountabilities

• Lead and develop a diverse, high-performing team, setting clear objectives and reviewing performance.
• Model Zurich’s core values and foster a culture of integrity, collaboration, and excellence.
• Create and execute people management plans to ensure the right talent and capabilities are in place.
• Resolve significant business challenges by mobilizing the right internal and external resources.
• Take ownership of your own development and inspire others to do the same.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with 8+ years of relevant experience in the industry.

Contacts / Relationships

• High-level influencer with a strong external focus. The role requires effective negotiation and influence with senior external stakeholders, including vendors and senior management at customer organizations.