Line of Business Head, Engineering

Zurich Services (Hong Kong) Limited; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich Services (Hong Kong) Limited in Singapore seeks a seasoned leader to manage and drive the Engineering underwriting line of business. You will shape underwriting strategy, ensure profitable portfolio performance, and serve as the senior referral point for complex decisions, while building strong broker, customer, and internal stakeholder relationships.

You will lead risk assessment, governance, and process improvement across the portfolio, working with distribution partners and internal

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership of underwriting teams or portfolios.
• Strong technical knowledge in Engineering insurance underwriting.
• Experience managing portfolio performance and strategy.
• Proven ability to work with brokers, agents, customers, and senior internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the Engineering underwriting line of business for Singapore.
• Develop and execute underwriting strategy to deliver profitable portfolio performance.
• Act as senior referral point for complex underwriting decisions.
• Educate and influence colleagues on policies and governance processes.
• Lead underwriting-related transformation initiatives and process improvements.
• Develop distribution relationships to support retention and growth.
• Oversee rating tools and methodologies for commercial viability.
• Participate in leadership team meetings to implement policy and change initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Technical underwriting

Negotiation

Job description

To manage and lead the assigned Engineering underwriting line of business for Singapore. The role is responsible for developing and executing underwriting strategy, delivering profitable portfolio performance, acting as a senior referral point for complex underwriting decisions, and building strong broker, customer, and internal stakeholder relationships.

Underwriting Operations

• Manage the selection, denial, acceptance, and renewal of Engineering business in line with underwriting appetite and delegated authority.
• Underwrite and analyze new and renewal business within delegated authority levels.
• Act as a senior referral point for underwriting decisions requiring empowerment at this level.
• Demonstrate specialized and advanced technical knowledge in Engineering insurance.
• Administer and monitor underwriting rules, guidelines, insurance laws and regulations, and rating manual rules.
• Ensure consistency and adherence to underwriting standards across the Engineering portfolio.

Portfolio Strategy and Performance

• Lead the development of the underwriting strategy for the Engineering line of business and oversee execution to deliver required portfolio performance.
• Identify opportunities and risks using data, market insights, distribution dynamics, and portfolio analysis.
• Recommend and implement action plans after reviewing agency books of business, profit/growth results, and emerging trends.
• Establish and agree key performance targets and financial budgets to optimize business performance in line with agreed objectives.
• Review themes from complex analysis conducted by others and make informed, authoritative technical recommendations to improve business performance in the medium and longer term.
• Contribute to the business strategy within own area, aligning Engineering underwriting strategy with wider business goals.

Governance, Risk and Process Improvement

• Educate and influence senior colleagues on relevant policies and governance processes to ensure the business is not exposed to undue risk.
• Develop processes and review policies relevant to Engineering underwriting to ensure alignment with strategic business objectives.
• Assure the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and standards to produce profitable underwriting results.
• Lead the implementation of complex projects, typically as part of major change or business improvement initiatives involving multidisciplinary teams and timescales in excess of one year that impact underwriting.
• Improve underwriting processes and efficiency for the Engineering line of business.
• Oversee the design and implementation of rating tools and methodologies that deliver value to customers while remaining commercially viable for the organization.

Distribution, Customer and Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain distribution relationships in support of business retention and acquisition.
• Work with customers, agents, and brokers where appropriate to determine insurance-related needs and provide solutions.
• Support the organization’s sales culture by acting as a help point for agents, brokers, and customers.
• Manage relationships with key internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for service improvement, commercial viability, and customer satisfaction.
• Participate in leadership team meetings of the assigned area to provide specialist guidance and enable the implementation of policy, projects, and change initiatives.
• Participate in global or regional underwriting proposition communities to share best practice and continue meeting customer needs.

People Leadership and Capability Development

• Lead, manage, and develop underwriters within the assigned Engineering line of business.
• Oversee development plans for underwriters across the area of business to ensure the capability exists to drive business results.
• Build underwriting talent and ensure the organization remains sustainable and fit for the future.
• Demonstrate excellent managerial, team-building, and organizational skills.

Business Accountabilities

• Establish key performance targets and financial budgets for the Engineering portfolio.
• Drive underwriting performance in line with profitability, growth, retention, and risk appetite objectives.
• Lead underwriting-related transformation or improvement initiatives across multidisciplinary teams.
• Provide technical/professional recommendations based on insights, trends, and portfolio analysis.
• Align underwriting policies, processes, ratings, and governance with strategic business objectives.
• Develop propositions and underwriting capabilities that meet evolving customer and market needs.
• Ensure underwriting tools, pricing methodologies, and governance frameworks support commercial viability.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in underwriting, insurance, or a related field.
• Strong technical expertise in Engineering insurance underwriting.
• Extensive management experience, ideally leading underwriting teams or portfolios.
• Proven experience managing portfolio performance, underwriting strategy, distribution relationships, and governance.
• Experience working with brokers, agents, customers, and senior internal stakeholders.