HEAD OF DACH | 30192

The Emerald Group Ltd, Search and Selection; Zürich; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Emerald Group Ltd, Search and Selection is seeking a senior Underwriter for the DACH region to define and execute underwriting strategy, lead a high-performing team, and own the portfolio's profitability, growth, and governance. The role involves stakeholder engagement with cedants, brokers, and market forums across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The ideal candidate will bring significant reinsurance underwriting experience, strong pricing and risk governance knowledge, and a track

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, mathematics, actuarial science, law, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Fluency in German and English is required; any additional regional language capability is an advantage

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the underwriting strategy for the DACH region in line with overall business goals and financial targets
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing underwriting team, fostering technical excellence and market engagement
• Own and manage the portfolio for profitability and quality; drive smart growth
• Steer portfolio performance through metrics like rate adequacy, claims trends, and market developments
• Build senior relationships with cedants, brokers and market stakeholders across the DACH region
• Lead production and financial planning and negotiation strategy with disciplined execution
• Establish underwriting guidelines, delegated authorities, and technical standards for the region
• Ensure compliance with governance, regulatory requirements, audit expectations, and documentation standards

Skills

German language

English language

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/finance/economics/mathematics/actuarial science/law

Job description

Overview

Key responsibilities including however, not limited to the following:

• 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

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, mathematics, actuarial science, law, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• Fluency in German and English is required; any additional regional language capability is an advantage

Experience Required

• 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