Head of Underwriting Insurance Programs

Job Description

The role is for Head of Underwriting, Insurance Programs. The primary responsibility of this role is to have 360‑degree involvement in all aspects of the Insurance Programs unit – with particular emphasis on oversight of the underwriting function. As Head of Underwriting, you will be tasked with assisting the Head of Programs with all aspects of production, underwriting and operations. Over time, you should develop the knowledge, understanding and comfort level to manage all aspects of the Insurance Programs unit.

Ideally, the individual will have at least ten to fifteen years’ experience in insurance and/reinsurance underwriting positions, with a well‑balanced understanding of both casualty and property exposures, including professional liability. At a minimum, they should have a strong proven track record underwriting either property or casualty business.

All program underwriters will report to the Head of Underwriting. The relationship here is to lead and support through our performance management system, serve as a role model for our underwriters, identify gaps in underwriting capabilities, and coach the team through complex business challenges.

With respect to production, your role will be to steadily develop and share first‑call position with our key sources for new programs, and to begin to develop new contacts and relationships. The Head of Underwriting will be recognized as a senior contact/leader of Insurance Programs.

The Head of Underwriting will oversee the day‑to‑day activities of our existing program portfolio and the programs under review. They will work shoulder to shoulder with our underwriting team to ensure that the quality of our engagement with our MGA clients serves to ensure that we have clear line of sight on all aspects of program management: portfolio reviews, underwriting audits, claims, monitoring bordereau, reinsurance and financial results.

The depth of our operational capabilities is key to the success of the programs unit. The Head of Underwriting will be engaged with the development of our Target Operating Model and consult with the Head of Operations as new capabilities are launched. The Head of Underwriting will be an important voice in ensuring that we continue to improve our business platform.

Key Objectives

• Become familiar with all aspects of each program in our portfolio. This includes the subject business, underwriting guidelines, accounting, claims handling, and current state of the MGA relationship.
• Become familiar with the Insurance Program landscape through researching the largest program managers, carriers and how PartnerRe’s competitors operate within the space.
• Serve as primary support for the program underwriters to ensure that existing programs are receiving day‑to‑day oversight and that we anticipate potential issues before they occur.
• Endeavor to raise the qualitative and quantitative level of sophistication the underwriters bring to evaluating new opportunities and maintaining our in‑force programs. Including but not limited to underwriting documentation and rationale, audit reports and the tracking of key metrics.
• Attend the Target Markets with the expectation of understanding how to effectively communicate our business proposition and leading discussions with potential customers.
• Provide insight and support to the Target Operational Model project. Provide consultative assistance as issues arise and anticipate deficiencies before we finalize our procedures.
• Evaluate and review reinsurance of new and existing programs to ensure PartnerRe’s net position and coverage is appropriate.
• Establish and develop new relationships with key brokers and program managers in the marketplace.
• Annually review Insurance Program’s Risk Appetite and how it aligns with the broader PartnerRe appetite.
• Overall responsibility with compliance with Internal Audit directives.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant program, insurance, or reinsurance experience — preferably in both casualty and property lines. MGA experience is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of the E&S market; primary insurance coverage and forms; and manual, exposure and experience rating techniques.
• Solid understanding of actuarial and accounting concepts.
• Managerial experience is preferred.
• A college or university degree is required.

Additional Information

PartnerRe provides a working environment in which diversity is valued, where all employees feel welcome, respected, and empowered to perform at their best. We invite you to learn more about D&I at PartnerRe.

PartnerRe is an equal‑opportunities employer.