Head of Property, Construction & Engineering

Since its formation as a stand-alone division of Munich Re in 2023, Munich Re Specialty (MRS) has the ambition to become a profitable top-10 global primary Specialty insurer. Complementing an already strong presence in the UK and the US, Munich Re Specialty - Global Markets (MRS-GM) has been tasked with expanding our primary Specialty business in continental Europe and APAC. We have begun the European expansion journey, and are now ready to launch our expansion in APAC, starting with Australia.

Responsible for building and managing a sustainably profitable short-tail insurance portfolio across Australia and New Zealand, overseeing the technical underwriting and product development, and ensuring strong alignment with Munich Re Specialty's strategy. Responsible for monitoring market trends that can shape strategy, maintaining robust underwriting frameworks, collaborating with global and local leaders, and fostering strong broker and client relationships while leading and developing a high-performing underwriting team.

Your Role

Portfolio Management

• Build and manage a profitable short-tail portfolio in Australia and New Zealand, with an initial focus on Property and Construction & Engineering.
• Shape and deliver business plans for short-tail classes in alignment with MRS-GM objectives and risk philosophy.
• Achieve targeted business mix and performance goals set by Group CUO and senior leadership.

Technical Underwriting Excellence

• Direct and oversee all technical underwriting activities for short-tail classes, ensuring high standards of technical proficiency that are compliant with Munich Re standards.
• In close collaboration with other MRS-GM functions, support the build-out of local underwriting tools and processes to enable the delivery of business plans.
• Maintain and execute underwriting authority delegations and referral processes for short-tail classes.
• Monitor insurance market trends to adjust underwriting policies and strategies, as needed.

Underwriting Framework & Product Development

• Collaborate with the Head of Underwriting Australia to build a robust underwriting framework for short-tail classes in accordance with Munich Re Specialty best practices.
• Lead product development, including creating and maintaining rates, rules, and policy forms, collaborating closely with Group Product Heads.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with underwriting leadership and global product heads to ensure consistency and alignment.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Coach, lead, and develop a high-performing underwriting team.
• Play a key role in attracting, recruiting, and retaining underwriting talent.
• Lead by example, embracing and instilling the cultural milestones of Munich Re Specialty in the local underwriting and broader teams.

Your Profile

• Leadership & Strategic Capability: Demonstrated ability in an executive leadership position in a "Head of" role
• Strategic and forward-thinking, with a proven track record in business management, including planning and forecasting
• Possesses integrity, credibility and strong commitment to the corporate mission
• Market Presence & Industry Influence: Reputation and gravitas to represent Munich Re Specialty in the market
• Strong broker network
• Proven record of building and maintaining sustainably profitable portfolios
• Technical & Analytical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of exposure and experience rating processes
• Strong negotiation skills
• People Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Excellent people skills, including stakeholder management
• Excellent communication (written, verbal, presentation), interpersonal and networking skills at all organisational levels
• 10+ years primary insurance underwriting experience
• 5+ years of people management experience
• University degree and/or relevant professional qualification

At Munich Re, we embrace, and value, the interaction of diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and thought. This interaction is our foundation. Of our open culture and spirit of partnership. Of how our teams are built and cultivated. Of how we are supported and developed. And at the center of this interaction is each of us.