Head of DACH

PartnerRe Ltd.; Zürich; On-site; CHF 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International environment

Collaboration with various partners

Equal opportunities employer

Job summary

PartnerRe Ltd. is seeking a Head of P&C DACH in Zürich, Switzerland. This role involves ownership of underwriting strategy and portfolio performance, with accountability for growth and client relationships in the DACH region.

The ideal candidate will lead a high-performing team, ensuring profitable growth and strong market presence while maintaining compliance and governance standards.

PartnerRe offers an international environment and a commitment to equal opportunities.

Qualifications

• Significant underwriting experience within reinsurance, focusing on the DACH market.
• Demonstrated success in managing a profitable portfolio and treaty negotiations.
• Fluency in German and English required; additional languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute underwriting strategy for the DACH region.
• Lead and develop a high-performing underwriting team.
• Build relationships with cedants and brokers across the region.
• Ensure compliance with internal governance and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Underwriting expertise

Client relationship management

Negotiation skills

Financial acumen

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

PartnerRe is a leading, privately owned, multi‑line global reinsurer with a reputation of financial stability and strength, and a commitment to rebuilding businesses and communities after risk events around the world.

Our mission is to continue to be a financially stable and predictable business partner, supporting our clients with solutions tailored to their needs, delivering superior returns to our owner, providing rewarding opportunities for our people and making a positive contribution to society.

Head of P&C DACH

The Head of P&C DACH owns underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, and client relationships across the P&C DACH region, with full accountability for profitable growth and underwriting discipline for property, regional casualty and motor business.

In this position, the Head of P&C DACH leads and develops a high‑performing team, driving clear priorities, sound risk selection, and consistent execution aligned with risk appetite and governance standards.

They act as a visible market leader, building trusted senior relationships with clients and brokers while safeguarding long‑term portfolio quality.

Delivers results through strong judgment, decisive leadership, and a consistent focus on performance and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the underwriting strategy for the DACH region in line with overall business goals and financial targets, risk appetite and portfolio objectives.
• Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing underwriting team, fostering technical excellence, accountability, and market engagement.
• Full ownership and accountability for portfolio of business; ensuring the profitability, smart growth and quality of the book.
• Lead portfolio steering through analysis of performance metrics, rate adequacy, claims trends, exposure accumulations and market developments.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with cedants, brokers and key market stakeholders across the DACH region; representing the company in client meetings, industry events, and market forums across the region.
• Lead production and financial planning and negotiation strategy, ensuring disciplined execution and commercial competitiveness.
• Establish and maintain underwriting guidelines, referral processes, delegated authorities, and technical standards for the region.
• Ensure compliance with internal governance, regulatory requirements, audit expectations, and documentation standards.

Leadership and Technical Competencies

• Strategic leadership and decision‑making
• Advanced underwriting and portfolio management expertise
• Client and broker relationship management
• Negotiation and influencing skills to support disciplined and profitable outcomes.
• Financial and analytical acumen translating insights into clear portfolio actions and measurable business results.
• Cross‑functional collaboration
• Talent development and team leadership
• Strong communication and executive presence
• Sound judgment, integrity and accountability

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, mathematics, actuarial science, law, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Significant underwriting experience within reinsurance, with strong exposure to the DACH market and property & casualty business.
• Demonstrated success managing a profitable portfolio and leading complex treaty negotiations with insurers and brokers.
• Deep understanding of underwriting fundamentals, pricing, portfolio management, contract structures, and risk governance.
• Strong knowledge of market dynamics, client needs, and regulatory considerations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
• Proven experience in leading and developing underwriting teams in a matrixed, international environment.
• Strong commercial acumen combined with disciplined risk judgment and analytical capability.
• Fluency in German and English is required; any additional regional language capability is an advantage.

Success Measures

Success in the role is measured by portfolio profitability, quality of underwriting decisions, renewal retention, new business generation, client and broker engagement, successful management of the DACH Team and relevant stakeholders, and adherence to governance and regulatory standards.

What can we offer you

An international environment, where you will be challenged and will have a wide range of responsibilities. Our structure fosters collaboration with various partners in different locations.

PartnerRe is an equal opportunities employer.