SVP, Head of Construction

Sompo Holdings, Inc.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness Benefits

Retirement & Savings Plans

Global Parental Leave & Adoption Asss

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition Reimbursement & Professional资格

Job summary

Sompo Holdings, Inc. seeks a strategic Head of Construction in London to lead underwriting for the UK Construction book. You will drive profitability, shape portfolio strategy, and align with corporate objectives while guiding executives on long-term regional plans.

You will oversee underwriting standards, engage with clients and brokers, and partner with pricing, claims and product teams to refine offerings and risk selection across major construction projects.

Qualifications

• Experience in underwriting strategy and portfolio performance.
• Leadership experience in managing teams and budgets.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategy for the Construction portfolio with P&L ownership.
• Lead and mentor the Energy and Construction leadership team.
• Manage relationships with clients, brokers and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate on product and pricing development to refine offerings.
• Monitor market trends to adapt underwriting strategy and products.
• Ensure compliance with governance and delegated authorities.
• Support marketing and budgeting for the Construction line.

Skills

Underwriting leadership

P&L management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking an accomplished and strategically minded Head of Construction to lead the development of Sompo’s UK Construction book. Based in London, this leadership role carries full responsibility for underwriting performance, P&L management, and strategic development of a diverse Construction portfolio. As the regional leader, you will set underwriting direction, drive profitable growth, and ensure the construction portfolio remains competitive, disciplined, and aligned with corporate objectives. You will oversee underwriting standards, guide market engagement, and partner with executive leadership to shape long-term regional strategies in a dynamic and expanding market.

Our business, Your impact, Shared opportunity

What you’ll be doing:

• Portfolio Management – Develop and execute a strategy for the Construction portfolio. Oversee underwriting of complex and major construction risks, ensuring compliance with corporate governance, delegated authorities, and global underwriting standards. Take full ownership and accountability of the portfolio’s P&L, ensuring it is well-diversified and balanced in terms of risk profile and segmentation. Regular reporting, through data analysis and portfolio reviews will be a key responsibility.


• Team management – Be an active participant in the Energy and Construction leadership team, managing and mentoring junior members, fostering a high-performance culture. Contribute to the growth and profitability of the portfolio by playing a key part in defining the broader strategy and underwriting appetite.


• Stakeholder management – enhancing our existing and creating new relationships with clients, brokers and key internal and external stakeholders.


• Innovation and Product development – working alongside the pricing, claims, product and distribution teams to enhance our current offerings to refine product structures, wordings, and risk selection.


• Market analysis – monitoring all industry and product trends to refine underwriting strategy and product offerings.


• Administration – ensuring file keeping and client files are managed in accordance with our compliance and regulatory minimum standards.


• Marketing – Support marketing efforts, creating high quality, original solutions to enhance the reputation and market presence of Sompo. Lead annual business planning, budgeting, and performance forecasting for the Construction line of business.

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in insurance, engineering, finance, or a related field.


• 15+ years of underwriting experience, with substantial exposure to construction and engineering risks and at least 5 years in a leadership role.


• Deep expertise in underwriting major infrastructure, civil engineering, and complex construction projects on a global basis.


• Demonstrated ability to manage P&L responsibilities, drive portfolio performance, and lead strategic initiatives.


• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.


• Proven track record building and leading multicultural teams in a matrix or regional environment.

Benefits

• Health & Wellness Benefits


• Retirement & Savings Plans


• Global Parental Leave & Adoption Assistance


• Employee Assistance Program


• Tuition Reimbursement & Professional Qualification benefits

Values

In today’s world, what do we stand for? At Sompo, our shared purpose is to create meaningful value for clients, communities, and each other. We strive to foster a workplace where everyone feels respected, included, and empowered to excel. As a global organisation, we embrace diversity and champion equal opportunity. Guided by our core values—Accountability, Agility, Collaboration, Development, and Integrity—we build trust and support one another to achieve our goals worldwide.

Life at Sompo page Our values come to life in how we hire and grow talent. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organisational need, and we strive to ensure equitable access to opportunities so everyone can do their best work.

If you need an accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the recruiter in charge.

Sompo is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.

To learn more about visit our website at www.sompo-intl.com

We are Sompo, a global provider of commercial and consumer property, casualty, and specialty insurance and reinsurance. Building on the 137 years of innovation of our parent company, Sompo Holdings, Inc., Sompo employs approximately 10,000 people around the world who use their in-depth knowledge and expertise to help simplify and resolve your complex challenges. Because when you choose Sompo, you choose The Ease of Expertise.

"Sompo" refers to the brand under which Sompo International Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda-based holding company, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, operates its global property and casualty (re)insurance businesses. Sompo International Holdings Ltd. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sompo Holdings, Inc., one of the leading property and casualty groups in the world. Shares of Sompo Holdings, Inc. are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

To learn more please follow us on LinkedIn or visit sompo-intl.com.