Global Chief Underwriting Officer, Property

AXA XL’s culture of profitable growth and disciplined underwriting is the strategic focus of the GCUO, Property. The main remit is the development of consistent underwriting standards, practices and procedures. As a member of the Global CUO Leadership Team, reporting directly to the AXA XL Global Chief Underwriting Officer, the Property GCUO will act as the Global Technical leader responsible for developing and assessing the core underwriting strategic direction and product profitability for the Global Property portfolio. This role is predominately an internal technical position with opportunity for customer-facing interaction, working together with internal clients and meeting with key brokers to support the Global and Regional underwriting and marketing strategies. You will work closely with the Regional CUO’s and Regional Property Product Heads to achieve the Global and Regional financial objectives and will be responsible for all underwriting operations including pricing, policy language construction and underwriting guidelines.

What you’ll be doing

• In partnership with Regional CUOs, accountable for the Global Property line of Business P&L and management of the Global portfolio to set financial targets and ensure profitable growth.
• Inspire a culture of underwriting excellence and relentless product performance management across the Global Property teams.
• Work with Group and Divisional Ceded Re as well as the Regional Property Underwriting leaders to influence the purchase of effective treaty reinsurance protection for the Property portfolios.
• Promote the professional growth of a diverse and engaged underwriting community, whilst planning effectively to meet the succession needs of the organization.
• Identify training needs and, in conjunction with the AXA XL Underwriting Academy, develop training programs designed to advance the technical skills of the Property Underwriting community.
• Drive and monitor underwriting policies, rules, guidelines and procedures establishing the referral flow for technical oversight.
• Cascading (and withdrawal) of Underwriting Authority levels to achieve underwriting quality, best practices, profitability and regulatory compliance goals.
• Create and implement governance framework to ensure underwriting best practice through form Underwriting Reviews and quality controls, as necessary.
• Represent line(s)/business unit(s) during regulatory and FIC audits as needed and coordinate with line/Business Unit on internal and external requests for information.
• Operational planning – Work with the Global Product Heads and Regional CUO’s to ensure we have effective operational plans to achieve strategic objectives.
• Work with Finance, Actuarial, Heads of LOB to influence the development of Regional financial plans in support of the Global Property Strategy.
• Build and maintain robust links with the Global CUO function and leadership team to ensure alignment with product growth and strategic direction.
• Align with AXA GI and other legal entities to collaborate and innovate where possible, proactively identifying new product opportunities to support product growth strategies.
• Ensure Regional Property Underwriting teams are collaborating with the Global Chief Underwriting office and Internal Audit as appropriate.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with extensive experience in global insurance, focusing on underwriting management and insurance operations.
• Deep understanding of Property Insurance with a preference for experience leading a global portfolio.
• Proven leadership and communication skills with an ability to influence across cultural differences.
• An unwavering commitment to enable a variety of teams to achieve their best results.
• Sound understanding of financial planning, analysis and reporting approaches.
• Successful track record of profitable growth.
• Ability to respond to a changing environment with flexibility and innovation.
• Enable feedback loop with Claims and Reserving on strategy and appetite.
• Close collaboration with Product specific GCUO, Regional CUOs and Regional Product Leaders as well as pricing, reserving actuaries, Risk Consulting and other Teams within the GCUO Organization and across AXA XL (e.g. Risk) and AXA Group (e.g. GIO/GRM).
• Engage with clients and brokers where product expertise can add value to the interaction.

What we offer

• 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.
• 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.

Sustainability

• At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. Our 2023‑26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.
• We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.
• We’re building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal‑led solutions.
• 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.

For more information, please see axaxl.com/sustainability.