At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative Life & Health retrocession activities and drive strategic risk transfer solutions.
- Company: Join Swiss Re, a global leader in reinsurance and risk management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, hybrid work model, and diverse global benefits.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values fresh perspectives and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of risk transfer while collaborating with top industry experts.
- Qualifications: Deep expertise in Life & Health reinsurance and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Are you a strategic thinker who thrives at the intersection of Life & Health reinsurance, capital management and alternative capital? Do you want to shape how risk transfer solutions create real value for a global L&H business? If so, this could be the role for you.
About the Role
As Head L&H Retro, you will lead Swiss Re's Life & Health retrocession activities and play a pivotal role in expanding how traditional and alternative capital solutions support the L&H business. This is a high-impact, highly collaborative role where you won't just respond to defined retrocession needs — you'll proactively identify opportunities, challenge established approaches and drive innovative solutions from idea to execution. As part of Swiss Re's Alternative Capital Partners Team, you'll sit at the heart of a network spanning underwriting, finance, capital management, legal and external markets, making this a uniquely broad and exciting leadership position.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the L&H Retro team, setting its strategic direction and ensuring high-quality structuring and execution of transactions across lines of business.
- Build a strong, proactive partnership with the L&H Business Unit, developing a deep understanding of its portfolio, strategic priorities and capital needs.
- Identify opportunities where retrocession or other risk-transfer solutions can support the business — going beyond predefined transaction requests to surface new value.
- Develop and evaluate innovative solutions across the full spectrum, from traditional retrocession structures to alternative capital and third-party investor transactions, where applicable in close collaboration with our ILS structuring team.
- Drive transactions from ideation to execution, bringing together expertise across underwriting, structuring, finance, legal, risk and capital management.
- Engage with external markets and counterparties, including traditional reinsurers and alternative capital providers, to understand market appetite and develop new opportunities.
- Strengthen connectivity between L&H and the broader alternative capital partner team, identifying where third-party capital can complement Swiss Re's balance sheet.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, commercial thinking, curiosity and strong ownership.
About the Team
The L&H Retro team is part of the Swiss Re's Alternative Capital Partner team and responsible for the Life & Health retrocession structuring activities across lines of business. The team manages the process — from ideation through to structuring and executing transactions in close collaboration with the business and other alternative capital partner teams. Working at the intersection of reinsurance, capital management and alternative capital, the team plays a critical role in enabling the L&H Business Unit to manage risk, improve capital efficiency and support profitable growth.
About You
You combine a strong understanding of Life & Health reinsurance and risk transfer with a commercial, solution-oriented mindset. You are naturally curious about the underlying business problem and comfortable challenging established approaches when a better solution exists. You thrive working across organisational boundaries, build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders with ease, and can translate complex risk, capital and structuring considerations into clear business choices.
We are looking for candidates who meet these requirements:
- Deep expertise in Life & Health reinsurance, with a strong grasp of risk transfer mechanisms, portfolio dynamics and capital implications.
- Proven experience in retrocession or structured transactions, including the ability to lead complex deals from structuring through to negotiation and execution.
- Strong capital management knowledge, including familiarity with how retrocession and alternative capital solutions interact with solvency and accounting frameworks.
- Track record of senior stakeholder engagement, with the ability to build trusted partnerships across underwriting, finance, legal and external counterparties.
- Leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to develop and inspire high-performing teams in a complex, matrixed environment.
- Promote a high standard of governance, documentation and project management.
These are additional nice to haves:
- Experience with alternative capital structures and third-party investor transactions in a reinsurance or insurance context.
- Familiarity with ILS (Insurance-Linked Securities) markets and the broader alternative capital ecosystem.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of proactively identifying and developing new business opportunities.
- Experience working in a global, cross-functional environment, navigating diverse stakeholder groups across geographies.
- Knowledge of regulatory and accounting frameworks, in particular IFRS-17.
For London, the base salary range for this position is between 168'000 GBP to 252'000 GBP for a full-time role. The specific salary offered considers:
- the requirements, scope, complexity and responsibilities of the role.
- the applicant's own profile including education/qualifications, expertise, specialisation, skills and experience.
In addition to your base salary, Swiss Re offers an attractive performance-based variable compensation component, designed to recognise your achievements. Further you will enjoy a variety of global and location specific benefits. 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 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.
Head L&H Retro Structuring in London employer: Swiss Re
Swiss Re is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that champions innovation and collaboration. As a Behavioural Science and Human-AI Consultant, you will have the opportunity to work at the forefront of AI transformation, partnering with multidisciplinary experts to drive meaningful change while enjoying flexible working arrangements and a competitive benefits package. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, Swiss Re empowers you to make a significant impact in the reinsurance industry from their vibrant London office.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head L&H Retro Structuring in London
✨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 Swiss Re). 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 Swiss Re. 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 Head L&H Retro Structuring in London
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 Swiss Re.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Swiss Re. 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 Swiss Re
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Swiss Re 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 Swiss Re, 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 Swiss Re'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.
