SVP, Chief Underwriting Officer, Financial Lines

The Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) for Financial Lines is responsible for leading the underwriting function and development of Underwriting Strategies across D&O segments to ensure profitable growth and Insurance Risk management. This role is responsible for developing and implementing underwriting policies, guidelines, and standards while ensuring alignment with the company's overall strategic objectives. The CUO, Financial Lines works closely with leadership teams in Management Liability and Financial Institutions to drive innovation, enhance underwriting capabilities, and maintain a robust Insurance Risk management framework. This role will report directly into the EVP, Head of Financial Lines.

• Strategic Leadership
  
  • Develop and execute the underwriting strategy for Financial Lines in conjunction with Business Unit Leadership
  • Provide thought leadership on market trends, competitive landscape, and emerging risks.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the D&O underwriting teams.
  
  
• Underwriting Performance
  
  • Oversee portfolio performance, trends and emerging Insurance Risks
  • Work with BU Heads to develop leading Pricing and Underwriting practices incl best practice capabilities from across groups, ensuring clear articulation of pricing guidelines, including ensuring that tools are fit for purpose, used appropriately and pricing is monitored effectively with insights derived and actions taken
  • Oversee design & implementation of rating tools & methodologies.
  • Monitor financial performance and adjust strategies to ensure profitability.
  • Manage the D&O underwriting portfolio steering to achieve balanced and profitable growth.
  • Provide regular reports and updates to senior management on underwriting performance and market conditions incl Underwriting and Pricing view of performance, difference to financial (reserving view) and assessment of actions in place to address gaps to plan
  
  
• Underwriting Governance
  
  • Oversee the development and implementation of underwriting policies, guidelines, and standards. Set framework for underwriting decisions in the region including authority grants, referrals, technical reviews and oversees technical infrastructure
  • Establish event identification, risk assessment, risk response, control activities & monitoring of the business operations for which position is accountable.
  • Oversee the adherence to the Underwriting governance and control framework
  
  
• Operational Excellence
  
  • Work with Business Unit leadership to ensure investment and support of strong technical capabilities
  • Implement best practices and underwriting tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Drive the use of data analytics and technology to support underwriting decisions and strategies.
  
  
• Stakeholder Engagement
  
  • Collaborate with D&O leadership teams to align underwriting practices with overall business objectives
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, clients, and other key stakeholders.
  • Represent the company at industry events and forums to enhance brand reputation and market presence.
  
  

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Insurance, or a related field; MBA or professional insurance designation (e.g., ACII, FCII) preferred.
• 20+ years of D&O underwriting experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Depth of experience across retail and wholesale businesses
• Strong track record in portfolio management including experience with turnaround portfolios as well as capturing growth opportunities with particular emphasis on underwriting and pricing experience
• Strong understanding of laws, trends, and regulatory requirements and the implications they have on our insurance offerings
• Robust understanding of reinsurance structures and actuarial concepts
• Strong communicator and people leader with ability to build and lead high performing teams across diverse environments
• Proficiency in underwriting software and data analytics tools.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, and ability to multi-task
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high pressure environment
• Willingness to travel
• Must be able to think originally, be willing to challenge ideas and be receptive to having their own ideas challenged
• Ability to be onsite in office 4 days a week as per corporate policy

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.

Westfield Specialty is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

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