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At Lista Ventures, we are partnering with a well-established and globally active reinsurance firm. We are leading a confidential search for a strategic and technically exceptional Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO). This role is central to driving underwriting excellence, profitability, and portfolio optimization across a multi-line reinsurance business, with responsibility spanning property, casualty, treaty, and facultative risks.
The CUO will work at the highest level of influence in the business, partnering with divisional leaders, actuaries, audit and compliance heads, and executive management to define, implement, and continuously improve the firm's underwriting framework. This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior underwriting executive to shape direction and performance at scale.
The Role
As CUO, you will oversee corporate underwriting strategy, guidelines, authority frameworks, and audit processes. You’ll ensure technical excellence and compliance while empowering underwriting teams across multiple product lines and jurisdictions. The position also involves direct oversight of internal contract wording, cycle management, and underwriting governance, with a strong emphasis on modernization, data, and analytics.
You will act as a key representative on group boards, enterprise risk committees, and underwriting leadership forums.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and refine underwriting strategy across lines of business (property, casualty, treaty, facultative)
* Drive adoption of tools, segmentation models, technical pricing structures, and data-enhanced underwriting
* Implement cycle management strategies to optimize performance across market conditions
* Manage internal underwriting guidelines, referral policies, and pricing frameworks
* Serve as a referral point for complex or high-exposure accounts
Underwriting Governance & Controls
* Oversee contract wording and corporate underwriting compliance
* Lead internal audit processes and ensure timely implementation of recommendations
* Monitor gross/net premium exposure, CAT accumulations, and risk tolerances
* Represent the underwriting division on enterprise risk and product governance boards
Talent Development & Modernization
* Shape and upskill the underwriting function to align with evolving risk landscapes and digital capabilities
* Define training strategies informed by audits, market trends, and business performance
* Guide the cultural development of the underwriting organization to remain agile, collaborative, and data-literate
* Manage underwriting budget and cost controls aligned with business plans
* Oversee reinsurance program placements and internal retro strategies
* Contribute directly to corporate planning and cross-functional strategic initiatives
What We’re Looking For
* 20+ years in (re)insurance underwriting, with deep technical expertise across P&C and treaty
* Experience managing cross-line portfolios and leading underwriting operations at executive level
* Proven track record of underwriting governance, audit process design, and risk management
* Strategic mindset with commercial sensitivity and global perspective
* Exceptional communication skills with comfort influencing at board level
* Strong familiarity with regulatory environments and operational controls
* Experience leading underwriting modernization efforts (data tools, pricing tech, automation)
* Exposure to M&A, new product development, or rapid scaling within reinsurance
* Hands-on experience in portfolio analytics and CAT modelling strategy
* Prior involvement with underwriting compliance and contract frameworks across multiple markets
Why Join?
* Shape the underwriting strategy of a growing, ambitious global reinsurance firm
* Operate with full executive visibility and influence
* Competitive package with performance-based incentives, 10% non-contributory pension, and comprehensive benefits
* Culture of innovation, international collaboration, and operational discipline
This is a confidential retained search. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For more information, contact the executive search team at Lista Ventures.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Executive
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
General Business, Management, and Business Development
* Industries
Insurance, Insurance Agencies and Brokerages, and Insurance Carriers
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