Job Description
**Head of Casualty and SME** **Job Summary:** Manage and drive the success of Casualty & SME portfolios, developing business plans and pricing strategies, and providing technical underwriting expertise. Reporting to the Head of Business Lines Underwriting, the Head of Casualty & SME will have full responsibility to manage and drive the overall success of our Casualty & SME portfolios by using their knowledge and expertise. **Key Responsibilities:** * Develop and implement business plans and pricing strategies, aligned with Global, Business Division, Business Unit and Regional strategies * Provide technical underwriting expertise and guidance to Sales and Distribution, and Operations Teams in support of the achievement of business plans * Handle a range of queries and requests for empowerment within agreed authority limits * Implement best practice portfolio management tools and techniques * Continually monitor claims and micro/macro economic trends to ensure correct strategies and lessons learned are incorporated within the line of business strategies * Lead the continuing development of technical underwriting standards, controls, practices and procedures * Identify and prioritise opportunities for development of new or enhanced propositions based on technical, customer and distributor insights * Lead the design and delivery of the Risk Coverage components of key propositions * Provide guidance to others and proactively support the development of self and others * Provide regular and timely management reports with recommendations **Portfolio Management:** * Portfolio management responsibility for the Casualty & SME portfolios, including holding profit and loss responsibility * Develops, leads and implements the Casualty business strategy and drives profitable growth * Supports in delivery of the SME business strategy in conjunction with the Head of SME * Works closely with Sales & Distribution, Market Facing Underwriters and Claims and Actuarial to enable the achievement of business plans **Requirements:** * At least 10 years at a senior management level working across a Casualty or SME portfolio * Advanced technical knowledge and skills reflective of a seasoned practitioner who has progressed within underwriting positions of increasing responsibility * High level of UW authority and involved in trade and industry bodies for area of specialism * Excellent knowledge of UW concepts and principles and UW metrics * Strong analytical skills and decision-making ability * Ability to work to strict deadlines and ambitious targets * Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship building skills * People management and key stakeholder management skills with clear ability to influence * Strong commercial acumen and can "trade" within what is a dynamic and fast-moving external marketplace **About Zurich:** Zurich is a leading insurance company committed to protecting, inspiring confidence and helping our employees reach their full potential. We value and defend what is right and promote opportunities for equity among our professionals, regardless of gender, disability, LGBTQ+, race, ethnicity, generations, belief, etc.