Head of Aerospace

AXA•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

AXA XL’s Aerospace business unit is seeking a strategic, results-driven leader to serve as Head of Aerospace, Aviation & Space. This role combines executive underwriting leadership with portfolio strategy and cross-functional collaboration to drive profitability, growth, and risk discipline across aviation and space segments, including general aviation and niche markets. The ideal candidate will shape underwriting standards, lead a high-performing team, and build deep broker and client partnerships to advance AXA XL’s position as the premier aviation center of expertise.

Requirements

Extensive aerospace underwriting experience, with a track record of profitability and portfolio growth.
Demonstrated leadership experience; proven ability to build, mentor, and retain a high-performing underwriting team.
Deep knowledge of aviation and space risks, including general aviation and segments with diverse aircraft types and operations.
Proven analytical, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills; excellent written and verbal communication.
Ability to develop and communicate a clear underwriting vision and translate strategy into actionable plans.
Robust broker and client relationship management abilities; skilled in dealing with complex stakeholders.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data-driven decision making; familiarity with underwriting platforms and tools.
Willingness to travel as needed to support market development and client engagement.

Nice To Haves

Professional designations (e.g., CPCU, ARM, ARe) highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Set and execute the underwriting strategy for the aerospace portfolio, aligning with the Aerospace unit’s goals and AXA XL’s risk appetite.
Own P&L responsibility for the aviation and space book, delivering profitable premium, rate adequacy, and loss ratio targets.
Lead, coach, and develop a senior underwriting team; establish career paths, performance metrics, and succession planning.
Oversee renewal management and new business production, ensuring high-quality risk selection and consistent application of underwriting standards.
Build and deepen relationships with brokers and key clients; identify and establish new distribution channels and market opportunities.
Collaborate with actuarial, claims, product, legal, and IT to shape risk pricing, product development, and policy language.
Govern underwriting processes, internal controls, and compliance with regulatory and corporate standards.
Drive risk mitigation and portfolio improvements through data analytics, scenario planning, and market intelligence.
Represent AXA XL in industry forums, market discussions, and client events; promote AXA XL’s capabilities and thought leadership.
Manage budget, resources, and performance reporting; continuously improve efficiency and effectiveness of the underwriting function.

Benefits

AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture and enables business growth and is critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.
Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.
Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits
Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter
AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do.
We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence.
We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving.