At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the underwriting portfolio plan and improve risk-adjusted performance.
- Company: Join Swiss Re, a global leader in reinsurance and insurance solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values fresh perspectives and innovative thinking.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on portfolio management and drive strategic decisions.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in underwriting and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
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About the Role
As Director, Underwriting Portfolio Management, you will be accountable for delivering the underwriting portfolio plan, the underwriting contribution to Group capital allocation, capacity recommendations and steering actions that improve the risk-adjusted performance and resilience of the underwriting portfolio.
This is a hands-on analytical leadership role, working directly with underwriting data in Palantir and other analytical platforms to investigate portfolio questions, test hypotheses, form conclusions and translate those conclusions into recommendations and implemented management actions.
You will own the quality of the portfolio conclusions and track whether the resulting actions deliver the intended impact. The role is not limited to running planning processes, preparing governance materials or commissioning analysis from others.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and deliver the underwriting portfolio plan, including TLP / Group Capital Allocation Strategy, translating Group objectives, risk appetite, financial ambition and market conditions into explicit portfolio choices.
- Assess portfolio economics, risk, return, diversification and capital consumption to produce clear capacity, allocation and steering recommendations.
- Work directly with Palantir and other analytical platforms to test hypotheses, interpret underwriting performance and exposure data, and form robust portfolio conclusions.
- Identify material risks, concentrations, dependencies and opportunities early enough to drive meaningful management action.
- Translate analysis into specific steering actions, support governance decisions, track implementation and adjust where outcomes are not being achieved.
- Partner with portfolio engineering, data and analytics colleagues to improve tools, workflows and decision-support capabilities.
- Communicate clear recommendations to underwriting, finance, risk, capital management and senior leadership, while developing team capability across portfolio management, commercial judgement and analytics.
About the Team
- The Portfolio Strategy & Steering team combines underwriting portfolio management, engineering, data and advanced analytics.
- It operates as one integrated team, with two Directors leading specialist teams, allocating resources to shared priorities and jointly accountable for quality and impact.
About You
You are a senior professional who combines deep expertise in underwriting, its economics and portfolio management with strong commercial judgement and analytical capability.
You are comfortable leading specialists and working directly with granular portfolio data. You move fluently between detailed analysis and senior-level recommendations, challenge assumptions and translate strategic objectives into measurable portfolio choices and implemented management actions.
You bring strong leadership presence, the ability to synthesise complex information into clear conclusions and the credibility to influence senior stakeholders across underwriting, finance, risk and capital management.
We are looking for candidates who meet these requirements:
- Proven experience analysing and managing complex underwriting portfolios, with the ability to translate evidence into explicit portfolio choices, capacity recommendations, steering actions and measurable performance improvement.
- Deep expertise in capital-allocation processes, capacity-setting frameworks and the analysis of risk, return, diversification and capital consumption, with the ability to develop and challenge senior-level allocation recommendations.
- Demonstrated ability to interrogate large and complex datasets, test hypotheses and produce decision-ready insight using Palantir or comparable modern data and analytical platforms.
- Strong understanding of underwriting economics, market dynamics and portfolio management within reinsurance or commercial insurance.
- Proven ability to present complex analytical conclusions clearly and concisely and to influence senior stakeholders across underwriting, finance, risk and capital management.
For London, the base salary range for this position is between GBP 180,000 and GBP 270,000 for a full-time role.
The specific salary offered considers the scope, complexity and responsibilities of the role, as well as the applicant’s education, qualifications, expertise, skills and experience.
Our company has a hybrid work model where the expectation is that you will be in the office at least three days per week.
About Swiss Re
Switer Re is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, insurance and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer, working to make the world more resilient. We anticipate and manage a wide variety of risks, from natural catastrophes and climate change to cybercrime. Combining experience with creative thinking and cutting-edge expertise, we create new opportunities and solutions for our clients. This is possible thanks to the collaboration of more than 15,000 employees across the world. Our success depends on our ability to build an inclusive culture encouraging fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. We embrace a workplace where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and develop professionally regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, skillset, thought or other characteristics. In our inclusive and flexible environment everyone can bring their authentic selves to work and their passion for sustainability. If you are an experienced professional returning to the workforce after a career break, we encourage you to apply for open positions that match your skills and experience.
We may use AI-powered tools to support the review and evaluation of applications for this position. These tools provide additional insights to our recruitment teams, but all hiring decisions are carefully reviewed and made by people. To learn more about how we use AI in recruitment and how we handle your personal data, please review our Data Privacy Statement before applying.
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Reference Code:138886
Director, Underwriting Portfolio Management employer: Crossell
At Swiss Re, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our hybrid work model allows for flexibility while ensuring that our teams are empowered to drive impactful change in the insurance industry. With competitive salaries, performance-based bonuses, and a strong focus on career development, we are committed to attracting and retaining top talent in Folkestone, making it a rewarding place to grow your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Underwriting Portfolio Management
✨Dive Into Industry Networking Events
Get your foot in the door by attending insurance industry events and conferences. Not only will you learn about the latest trends, but you'll also meet potential employers and industry peers. Check out local chapters of professional bodies like the Chartered Insurance Institute for valuable meetups.
✨Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage
Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn in the insurance world. Engage with industry content, join relevant groups, and connect with professionals at companies you admire (like Crossell). A thoughtful message explaining your interest can really make a difference!
✨Look Out for Graduate Schemes
Many firms in insurance have structured graduate programmes. Keep an eye on application windows and utilise your university's career services for insider tips. These schemes are designed to develop talent and often lead to permanent roles after your initial training.
✨Leverage Your Current Connections
Got friends or family in the industry? Now’s the time to reach out! Personal referrals can give you a head start, so let them know you're on the lookout for full-time opportunities at places like Crossell. Don’t shy away from asking for a coffee chat; you never know what doors it might open!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Underwriting Portfolio Management
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In insurance, we love a candidate who can crunch numbers and analyse data effectively. When crafting your CV, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework or experiences that highlight your analytical abilities, especially if you’ve tackled risk assessment or financial modelling.
Showcase Industry Knowledge:Don’t be shy about your knowledge of the insurance sector! We want to see that you've done your homework on current trends, regulations, and challenges in the industry. Mention any relevant projects or studies you’ve completed that demonstrate your understanding of the field in your cover letter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about insurance. Share any personal experiences or what drew you into this profession. We’re looking for enthusiasm and a clear motivation for why you want to be part of our team at Crossell.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Crossell. Highlight relevant skills such as risk management, customer service experience, or any certifications you've earned in the industry to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Crossell
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Crossell to throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to demonstrate your grasp of these essentials.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Side
In the insurance world, it's all about data. Prepare to discuss any analytical tools or methodologies you've used in past experiences. If you have a portfolio of projects where you've tackled complex data, bring that along to impress the team!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
As a full-timer at Crossell, they'll want to know how you handle real-life scenarios, not just theory. Think about challenges you've faced in teamwork or customer service, and how those experiences can relate to a career in insurance.
✨Know the Company Culture Inside Out
Understanding Crossell's values and workplace culture is essential. Don’t just memorise their mission statement; think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your genuine interest in being part of their team long-term.
