Head of Market Unit for L&H UKI & MEA (Hybrid - 80-100%) in London
Head of Market Unit for L&H UKI & MEA (Hybrid - 80-100%)

Head of Market Unit for L&H UKI & MEA (Hybrid - 80-100%) in London

London Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Life & Health reinsurance market unit across UK, Ireland, Middle East, and Africa.
  • Company: Join Swiss Re, a global leader in reinsurance and risk management.
  • Benefits: Attractive salary, performance-based bonuses, and hybrid work model.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of insurance while driving innovation and sustainable growth.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in (re)insurance with strong leadership and strategic skills.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and professional development.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

Ready to shape the future of Life & Health reinsurance across the UK, Ireland, Middle East, and Africa? This is your opportunity to lead a strategically vital market unit at the intersection of established and emerging markets, driving sustainable growth and innovation.

About the Role

As Head of Market Unit for L&H UKI & MEA, you'll define and execute strategy across diverse regions with unique challenges and opportunities. You'll balance portfolio growth with disciplined underwriting performance, strengthening our business position in both mature and developing markets while positioning us as the strategic partner of choice.

Key Responsibilities

  • Define and Execute Regional Strategy: Develop a multi-year strategic roadmap aligned with global L&H priorities, steering the regional portfolio to optimize return on capital and earnings quality. Identify structural growth themes and translate them into actionable commercial initiatives.
  • Drive Portfolio Performance: Own the profitability, growth, and risk profile of the regional portfolio, championing underwriting excellence and pricing discipline to maintain commercial competitiveness. Lead portfolio steering actions, including repricing, remediation, and business mix optimization.
  • Cultivate Executive Relationships: Lead executive-level relationships with key UKI & MEA clients and stakeholders. Position our company as a long-term strategic partner across risk transfer, capital management, and innovation.
  • Champion Innovation: Drive the development of commercially relevant solutions and ensure innovation efforts are commercially viable, scalable, and aligned with regional client priorities.
  • Optimize Operating Model: Ensure an efficient, scalable operating model suited to both mature and developing markets, driving productivity, simplification, and operational risk management, while fostering cross-functional collaboration with global teams.
  • Lead and Develop Talent: Inspire and develop a high-performing regional leadership team, creating clarity of direction and alignment around strategic priorities to build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation. Strengthen succession planning and talent development across UKI & MEA.

About the Team

The UKI & MEA Life & Health team operates across diverse markets spanning mature economies and developing regions. The team drives strategic reinsurance partnerships, innovative solutions, and sustainable growth while navigating unique regulatory environments and market dynamics across multiple territories.

About You

You are an inspirational and inclusive leader who can articulate a compelling vision and has demonstrated the ability to develop, retain, and align talent with business strategy. Outcome-driven with a can-do attitude, you bring genuine passion for creating impact in complex markets.

We are looking for candidates who meet these requirements:

  • Extensive experience in (re)insurance and/or financial services, with a proven record as a successful sales leader and business originator and/or as a strong technical leader in underwriting.
  • Demonstrated track record of high-impact leadership across diverse and multicultural environments, consistently delivering results through inclusive management.
  • Deep understanding of (re)insurance markets and products, particularly in Life & Health sectors.
  • Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate market insights into actionable business plans.
  • Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to influence at executive levels.

These are additional nice to haves:

  • Experience working in or with emerging markets, particularly in the Middle East or Africa.
  • Background in digital transformation or innovation within financial services.
  • Knowledge of regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Experience in managing through market cycles and economic volatility.
  • Track record of successful change management initiatives.
  • Multilingual capabilities relevant to the regions.

Salary and Benefits

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for additional rewards and benefits including an attractive performance-based annual bonus. 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

Swiss 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 14,000 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.

Head of Market Unit for L&H UKI & MEA (Hybrid - 80-100%) in London employer: Crossell

Swiss Re is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and inclusivity, making it a prime choice for professionals in the Life & Health reinsurance sector. With a hybrid work model and a commitment to employee development, you will thrive in a culture that values diverse perspectives and fosters growth across the UK, Ireland, Middle East, and Africa. Join us to lead strategic initiatives that drive sustainable growth while enjoying competitive benefits and a collaborative work environment.
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Contact Detail:

Crossell Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Market Unit for L&H UKI & MEA (Hybrid - 80-100%) in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its market position. Know their challenges and how you can help tackle them. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision and how it aligns with the company's goals. A clear, confident presentation can set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can reinforce your interest and keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows good manners!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Market Unit for L&H UKI & MEA (Hybrid - 80-100%) in London

Strategic Thinking
Portfolio Management
Underwriting Excellence
Relationship Building
Leadership Skills
Market Analysis
Innovation Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Change Management
Financial Acumen
Risk Management
Cultural Awareness
Communication Skills
Client Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in Life & Health reinsurance. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your strategic thinking and leadership abilities!

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact. Use numbers and examples to illustrate how you've driven growth or improved performance in previous positions. We love seeing results!

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your professional qualifications. Share your passion for innovation and how you can contribute to our inclusive culture.

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of your application and ensures it reaches the right people. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at Crossell

✨Know Your Market Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the Life & Health reinsurance landscape across the UK, Ireland, Middle East, and Africa. Familiarise yourself with current trends, challenges, and opportunities in these regions. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can drive sustainable growth and innovation.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a candidate for a leadership role, it's crucial to demonstrate your inclusive management style. Prepare examples of how you've developed and retained talent in diverse environments. Highlight your ability to inspire teams and align them with strategic priorities, as this is key to building a high-performing regional leadership team.

✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions

Expect to discuss your approach to defining and executing regional strategies. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've translated market insights into actionable business plans. This will showcase your strong strategic thinking and ability to optimise portfolio performance while maintaining underwriting excellence.

✨Build Rapport with Executive-Level Insights

Since cultivating executive relationships is a key responsibility, prepare to discuss your experience in influencing stakeholders at the highest levels. Think about how you've positioned your previous companies as strategic partners and be ready to share your thoughts on fostering long-term relationships in the reinsurance space.

Head of Market Unit for L&H UKI & MEA (Hybrid - 80-100%) in London
Crossell
Location: London
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