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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 required.
- 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.
Contact Detail:
LISTA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Underwriting Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the reinsurance industry, especially those in senior underwriting roles. Attend industry conferences and seminars to connect with potential colleagues and leaders who can provide insights into the company culture and expectations for the CUO position.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in underwriting technology and data analytics. Being able to discuss how you can leverage these tools to enhance underwriting processes will demonstrate your strategic mindset and readiness to modernise the function.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to articulate your experience in managing cross-line portfolios and leading teams effectively. Highlight specific examples where your leadership has driven performance improvements or compliance within underwriting operations.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the regulatory environments relevant to the firm’s operations. Understanding the compliance landscape will not only help you in discussions but also show your commitment to maintaining high standards in underwriting governance.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Underwriting Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take the time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Chief Underwriting Officer position. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of underwriting strategy, governance, and talent development as outlined in the job description.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight your 20+ years of experience in (re)insurance underwriting. Emphasise your technical expertise across property and casualty lines, as well as any leadership roles you've held in underwriting operations. Make sure to include specific achievements that demonstrate your strategic mindset and commercial sensitivity.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your understanding of the role and express your enthusiasm for shaping the underwriting strategy at a global reinsurance firm. Discuss your experience with underwriting governance, audit processes, and risk management, and how these align with the company's goals.
Highlight Relevant Certifications: If you have professional certifications such as CPCU or FCAS, be sure to mention them prominently in your application. These credentials can set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to the field of underwriting.
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. During the interview, articulate your vision for modernising underwriting practices and how you would implement data-driven decision-making to enhance performance across various lines of business.
✨Showcase Leadership and Collaboration Skills
The CUO will work closely with divisional leaders and executive management. Share experiences where you've successfully led teams or collaborated across departments to achieve common goals, emphasising your ability to influence at the board level.
✨Prepare for Governance and Compliance Discussions
Given the importance of underwriting governance and compliance in this role, be ready to discuss your experience with audit processes and regulatory environments. Highlight any initiatives you've led that improved compliance and risk management within underwriting operations.
