Zurich Insurance - New York, NY
posted 3 months ago
Zurich North America is seeking a Head of Financial Lines to lead our National Accounts and Middle Market Financial Lines business unit. This role reports to the U.S Head of National Accounts with dual accountability to the U.S. Head of Middle Market. Our preference is for the position to be based in our New York Office, but we will consider other Zurich office locations with business travel expected. The Head of Financial Lines has full responsibility and oversight of four market baskets, including D&O, Cyber, Financial Institutions, and Private/Nonprofit (PNP). This position requires advanced knowledge of Financial Lines business and an influential approach to business relationships and oversight of strategic underwriting practices. Additionally, this role collaborates with Zurich leadership in actuarial, claims, technical underwriting, distribution, regional management, operations, and other business units for cross-selling efforts. We are looking for a strong leader who can deliver a collaborative value chain with our Brokers and customers, with the ability to communicate effectively with clients and cultivate relationships. Responsibilities include establishing key performance targets and financial budgets for the underwriting unit to optimize business performance in line with set objectives. The Head of Financial Lines will interpret and review the commercial drivers in the market and the organization’s strategic goals, translating them into objectives to develop cross-functional business cases for complex projects and programs, acting as program sponsor to ensure effective delivery of projects. The role also involves developing and maintaining relationships with program distributors to support business retention and new business, identifying their insurance-related needs and providing solutions. Managing relationships with key internal stakeholders is crucial to identify opportunities for service improvement to ensure commercial viability and customer satisfaction. Participation in leadership team meetings to provide specialist guidance and enable the implementation of policies, projects, and change initiatives to produce profitable results is also expected. The Head of Financial Lines will recommend and implement action plans after reviewing agency books of business and profit/growth results and trends, supporting the organization's sales culture by being a Help Point for distributors, agents, brokers, and customers. Furthermore, the role includes developing a people management plan to drive performance management within the organization and optimize team performance, ensuring compliance with company policies and expectations, and taking appropriate action when necessary. Lastly, contributing to the business strategy to align underwriting strategy with wider business goals is essential.