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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and refine underwriting strategy across multiple lines of business.
- Company: Join a globally active reinsurance firm with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive package, performance incentives, and a 10% non-contributory pension.
- Why this job: Shape the future of underwriting in a dynamic, ambitious environment with executive influence.
- Qualifications: 20+ years in (re)insurance underwriting with strong technical expertise and leadership experience.
- Other info: This is a confidential search; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
At Lista Ventures, we are partnering with a well-established and globally active reinsurance firm. We are leading a confidential search for a strategic and technically exceptional Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO). This role is central to driving underwriting excellence, profitability, and portfolio optimization across a multi-line reinsurance business, with responsibility spanning property, casualty, treaty, and facultative risks.
The CUO will work at the highest level of influence in the business, partnering with divisional leaders, actuaries, audit and compliance heads, and executive management to define, implement, and continuously improve the firm's underwriting framework. This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior underwriting executive to shape direction and performance at scale.
The Role
As CUO, you will oversee corporate underwriting strategy, guidelines, authority frameworks, and audit processes. You’ll ensure technical excellence and compliance while empowering underwriting teams across multiple product lines and jurisdictions. The position also involves direct oversight of internal contract wording, cycle management, and underwriting governance, with a strong emphasis on modernization, data, and analytics. You will act as a key representative on group boards, enterprise risk committees, and underwriting leadership forums.
Key Responsibilities
- Portfolio Strategy & Technical Excellence
- Lead and refine underwriting strategy across lines of business (property, casualty, treaty, facultative)
- Drive adoption of tools, segmentation models, technical pricing structures, and data-enhanced underwriting
- Implement cycle management strategies to optimize performance across market conditions
- Manage internal underwriting guidelines, referral policies, and pricing frameworks
- Serve as a referral point for complex or high-exposure accounts
- Underwriting Governance & Controls
- Oversee contract wording and corporate underwriting compliance
- Lead internal audit processes and ensure timely implementation of recommendations
- Monitor gross/net premium exposure, CAT accumulations, and risk tolerances
- Represent the underwriting division on enterprise risk and product governance boards
- Talent Development & Modernization
- Shape and upskill the underwriting function to align with evolving risk landscapes and digital capabilities
- Define training strategies informed by audits, market trends, and business performance
- Guide the cultural development of the underwriting organization to remain agile, collaborative, and data-literate
- Operational & Financial Oversight
- Manage underwriting budget and cost controls aligned with business plans
- Oversee reinsurance program placements and internal retro strategies
- Contribute directly to corporate planning and cross-functional strategic initiatives
What We’re Looking For
- Must-Haves
- 20+ years in (re)insurance underwriting, with deep technical expertise across P&C and treaty
- Experience managing cross-line portfolios and leading underwriting operations at executive level
- Proven track record of underwriting governance, audit process design, and risk management
- Strategic mindset with commercial sensitivity and global perspective
- Exceptional communication skills with comfort influencing at board level
- Strong familiarity with regulatory environments and operational controls
- Bachelor’s degree required; professional certifications (CPCU, FCAS, etc.) preferred
- Nice-to-Haves
- Experience leading underwriting modernization efforts (data tools, pricing tech, automation)
- Exposure to M&A, new product development, or rapid scaling within reinsurance
- Hands-on experience in portfolio analytics and CAT modelling strategy
- Prior involvement with underwriting compliance and contract frameworks across multiple markets
Why Join?
- Shape the underwriting strategy of a growing, ambitious global reinsurance firm
- Operate with full executive visibility and influence
- Competitive package with performance-based incentives, 10% non-contributory pension, and comprehensive benefits
- Culture of innovation, international collaboration, and operational discipline
This is a confidential retained search. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For more information, contact the executive search team at Lista Ventures.
Chief Underwriting Officer employer: LISTA
Contact Detail:
LISTA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Underwriting Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network with industry professionals who are already in executive roles within reinsurance. Attend conferences, webinars, and workshops to connect with potential colleagues and mentors who can provide insights into the CUO role and the company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest trends in underwriting technology and data analytics. Familiarise yourself with tools and methodologies that enhance underwriting processes, as this knowledge will be crucial in demonstrating your strategic mindset during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing cross-line portfolios and leading teams. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven performance improvements and implemented successful governance frameworks in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s current underwriting strategies and challenges. Understanding their specific needs will allow you to tailor your discussions and demonstrate how your expertise aligns with their goals, making you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Underwriting Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in (re)insurance underwriting, particularly focusing on your technical expertise across property and casualty lines. Emphasise any leadership roles you've held and the impact you've made in those positions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should clearly articulate your strategic mindset and how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the Chief Underwriting Officer role. Mention specific examples of how you've driven underwriting excellence and portfolio optimisation in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: In your application, include quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your success in managing cross-line portfolios and leading underwriting operations. Use metrics to showcase your contributions to profitability and compliance.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since exceptional communication skills are crucial for this role, provide examples in your application of how you've influenced stakeholders at the board level. This could include presentations, reports, or strategic initiatives you've led.
How to prepare for a job interview at LISTA
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Expertise
As a Chief Underwriting Officer, showcasing your deep technical knowledge in property and casualty underwriting is crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've driven underwriting excellence and portfolio optimisation in previous roles.
✨Highlight Strategic Mindset
This role requires a strategic approach to underwriting. Share instances where you've successfully implemented innovative strategies or tools that enhanced underwriting processes, demonstrating your ability to think critically and adapt to market conditions.
✨Showcase Leadership and Collaboration Skills
You'll be working closely with various stakeholders, so it's important to illustrate your experience in leading teams and collaborating across departments. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your ability to influence and drive change at an executive level.
✨Prepare for Governance and Compliance Questions
Given the emphasis on underwriting governance and compliance, be ready to discuss your experience with audit processes and regulatory environments. Highlight how you've ensured adherence to guidelines and improved compliance within your teams.
