EVP, Head of Energy, Underwriting, Specialties

Zurich Specialties • Houston, NY

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Zurich Specialties is seeking an experienced leader to serve as Head of Energy. This position reports to the Global Head of Energy and Marine. The preferred locations are our Houston or New York offices. Business travel will be required. The EVP, Head of Energy is responsible for delivering underwriting results across the following portfolios: Energy Casualty, Energy Property, and Marine. In this pivotal role, you will shape both the technical and strategic direction of the Energy and Marine portfolios. Your leadership will be key to ensuring strong profitability and long-term growth. We’re looking for someone with deep expertise in the Energy sector, a proven ability to build influential business relationships, and a strong track record in strategic underwriting oversight and portfolio management. Exceptional communication skills and a talent for fostering client partnerships are essential.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and 15 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area within the Commercial Insurance Industry
• 5 or more years of experience in leadership roles
• Business unit management experience
• Energy Underwriting experience

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading a complex business unit with P&L responsibility and a strong record of growing and retaining a substantial book of business
• Deep knowledge of Energy lines of business, industry, and marketplace
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning and execution
• Strong broker relationships, with excellent skills in relationship-building, listening, and negotiating
• Executive presence and confidence in engaging with the C-suite
• Visionary leadership, driving innovation and creative problem-solving across the organization

Responsibilities

• Establishing key performance targets and financial budgets for underwriting unit in order to optimize business performance in line with set objectives.
• Interpret and review the commercial drivers in the market and the organization´s strategic goals, translate into objectives to develop cross-functional business cases for complex projects and programs and act as program sponsor to ensure effective delivery of projects.
• Develop and maintain relationships in support of business retention, new business and determine their insurance-related needs and provide solutions.
• Manage relationships with key internal stakeholders in order to identify opportunities for service improvement to ensure commercial viability and customer satisfaction.
• Participate in leadership team meetings to provide specialist guidance and enable the implementation of policies, projects and change initiatives to produce profitable results.
• Recommend and implement action plans after reviewing agency books of business and profit/growth results and trends.
• Develop a people management plan to drive performance management in the organization and to optimize performance within the team, and manage performance of team members, including ensuring team members comply with company policies and expectations and take appropriate action.
• Contribute to the business strategy to align underwriting strategy with wider business goals.

Benefits

• We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families.
• Additional rewards may encompass short-term incentive bonuses and merit increases.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive