Head of Underwriting Execution – AXIS Re - Axis Capital Holdings

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital – a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance.  We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture.  As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry.

At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, civil union status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in the selection process.

How does this role contribute to our collective success?
The Head of Underwriting Execution for AXIS Reinsurance will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer – Reinsurance and is responsible for the global underwriting execution approach for all lines of business.

AXIS Re is seeking a technical candidate with strong Reinsurance expertise and demonstrated experience in connecting with underwriters.  Successful candidates will strike the right balance between transactional technical acumen and a commercial approach to portfolio execution by not losing sight of market perspective. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with Reinsurance Executive Team (RET),business units (BU), and the  Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) office to ensure consistency in risk appetite and global underwriting approach for profitable growth of AXIS Re in alignment with AXIS strategy

• In collaboration with the CEO and BU Heads, ensure portfolio construction and financial returns are appropriate across the global reinsurance business

• Collaborate with and leverage work from Data/Analytics team to implement analytics to support sustained outperformance for Axis RE Underwriting and to deliver reporting enhancements including deal comparison perspectives, competitor landscape and capital providers.

• Member of the Reinsurance Executive Team, helping to shape the strategic direction of AXIS Re

• Monitor and report portfolio construction initiatives and key performance metrics to RET and CUO to ensure successful delivery 

• Oversee the development and implementation of  projects, initiatives (including new product initiatives) and analytical tools for in collaboration with CUO organization as well as lead the governance of portfolio spend

• Liaise with ILS and Retro colleagues to support strategic Reinsurance business needs

• Participate in referrals as needed 

• Work closely with Business Unit Heads and Underwriting teams during peak renewal periods

• Ensure adherence to planned tolerances for return metrics

• Monitor aggregate usage

• Run portfolio scenarios to determine deal impact and provide guidance on best deal selection

• Alongside Product Leads in Group Underwriting, participate in portfolio reviews to aid in underwriting strategy and portfolio steering

• Key Stakeholder voice for the continued development of end-to-end underwriting systems.

• Provide guidance and support for required changes to IT systems and management reports.

You may also be required to take on additional duties, responsibilities and activities appropriate to the nature of this role.

About You:
We encourage you to bring your own experience and expertise to the table, so while there are some qualifications and experiences, we need you to have, we are open to discussing how your individual knowledge might lend itself to fulfilling this role and help us achieve our goals.

What you need to have:

• Strong communication - actively listening to and engaging collaboratively with business Units, corporate stakeholders and industry experts to execute portfolio steering initiatives

• Strong leadership to guide sound decision making

• Ability to engage in productive challenge that creates positive energy, mutual trust and respect and leads to thoughtful, balanced outcomes; able to diffuse natural tensions associated with balancing commercial and portfolio views

• Ground UW perspective in data-driven objectivity and makes decisions in facts leveraging comprehensive market, strategic, and portfolio analytics

• Deep understanding of technical underwriting issues including risk assessment, exposure monitoring/control, wordings, bespoke structural features and accounting /capital implications

• Sophisticated technical understanding of next generation tools and can run scenarios real time

For this position, we currently expect to offer a base salary of $250,000 - $300,000 USD.  The specific salary offer will be based on an assessment of a variety of factors including the experience of the successful candidate and their work location.  In addition, all employees are eligible for competitive incentive targets, with awards based on overall corporate and individual performance. On top of this, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for employees and their families, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, and much more.