AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Chief Underwriting Officer Casualty - Americas
United States
Our ambition is to unlock a more sustainable and prosperous tomorrow by helping businesses navigate the world’s risks. In the Americas, we’ll live up to that ambition by delivering value far beyond the insurance policies we provide. We’re confronting our clients’ risk management difficulties by finding solutions that further their strategic goals and help them build more sustainable, thriving businesses.
As the Chief Underwriting Officer Casualty - Americas, you will embody these values, lead the Americas Primary and Excess Casualty Underwriting units, be responsible for developing and executing on the Americas strategy for these segments, while working with the region’s other underwriting business leaders and partners, and our Global Underwriting Office. This role has full P&L responsibility and reports directly to the Head of Large Commercial, Americas, as part of the Underwriting Leadership team in the Americas Region.
The CUO will oversee underwriting activities, driving strategic initiatives, managing underwriting performance, and fostering a culture of excellence within the division. The ideal candidate will possess deep understanding of Casualty insurance lines, outstanding leadership capabilities, and a proven track record of driving underwriting performance in dynamic and motivated markets.
This is a very exciting time to join AXA XL’s Casualty team. You’d be joining a group of talented and collaborative professionals.
What you’ll be doing
What will your essential responsibilities include?
- Lead and grow the Casualty underwriting team in the United States.
- Drive portfolio diversification initiatives to manage exposure to emerging risks and loss trends and ensure long-term sustainability.
- Development and successful execution of a strategy that returns profitable growth in the segment by delivering on all four of our strategic drivers: solutions that matter most, valued beyond the policy, data that deepens relationships and focused, fit & fast.
- Coordinate/facilitate/lead new business, renewals, re-pricings, restrictions, special acceptances, commutations, and cancellations in determining risk acceptability & coverage, in accordance with underwriting guidelines and authorities
- Optimize allocation of capacity across regions, sub-products, and client segments to highest margin opportunities
- Responsible for the use of and development of metrics that will enable underwriters to make better decisions regarding deployment of the firm’s capital.
- Ensure adherence to the underwriting authorities and guidelines as approved; cascade/rescind Underwriting authority as needed throughout the product line.
- Develop and execute on business financial and operational plans.
- Develop and execute on a Regional strategy to meet the Casualty needs of customers of all segments of the market.
- Lead and promote a collaborative, diverse and inclusive working environment.
- Embody the AXA XL culture and act as a role model for all colleagues, irrespective of organizational alignment.
- Apply an understanding of worldwide risk exposures leading to refined terms & conditions and improved pricing and risk management.
You will report to the Head of Large Commercial, Americas.
What you’ll bring
We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:
Required Skills and Abilities:
- A robust knowledge of the Americas region casualty insurance industry, combined with in-depth technical knowledge of Casualty insurance product offerings.
- Exemplary behaviors that demonstrate commitment to our corporate values and behaviors, including a demonstrated commitment to “start with the client”, “own it”, “solve it together” and “actually make it better”.
- Ability to lead a team that will deliver the most efficient and best possible customer experience.
- Proven business acumen to engage colleagues in how the needs of our customers are met through our vision, strategy, and operational plans. Demonstrated end-to-end strategy design including demonstrated development of business plans using data and analytics.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex relationships diplomatically and consultatively and instill confidence in across all levels in the organization.
- Ability to lead through influence and work as part of a collaborative team across geographies.
- Ability to build and drive positive, helpful, and seamless end-to-end customer, broker and/or partner experiences in the spirit of our purpose.
- Anticipate customer and market trends in order to position AXA XL as a responsible and innovative “market shaper” and Thought Leader in the industry.
- Consistently pursue opportunities to differentiate AXA XL in the industry through our offerings and how we conduct business.
- Ability to energize a team through a compelling vision of the business and for the future.
Desired Skills and Abilities:
- A proven bold decision maker who can drive results in uncertain environments.
- An engaged leader who proactively contests the status quo to create momentum and action for change.
- A leader who anticipates customer and market trends to position AXA XL as a responsible and innovative “market shaper” and Thought Leader in the industry.
- Sound understanding of financial planning, analysis and reporting approaches.
- Successful track record of profitable growth.
What we offer
Inclusion
AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture enables business growth and is critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.
- Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.
- Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
- Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits
- Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
- Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter
Learn more at Inclusion & Diversity at AXA XL | AXA XL. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Total Rewards
AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do.
We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence.
Sustainability
At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future. Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.
Our Pillars:
- Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.
- Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.
- Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
- AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving.
For more information, please see Sustainability at AXA XL.
The U.S. base salary range for this position is $300,000 to $375,000 USD.
Actual pay will be determined based upon the individual’s skills, experience and location. We strive for market alignment and internal equity with our colleagues’ pay.
At AXA XL, we know how important physical, mental, and financial health are to our employees, which is why we are proud to offer benefits such as a competitive retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and many other benefits. We also believe in fostering our colleagues' development and offer a wide range of learning opportunities for colleagues to hone their professional skills and to position themselves for the next step of their careers. For more details about AXA XL’s benefits offerings, please visit US Benefits at a Glance 2025.
Who we are
AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it.
How? By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business − property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty.
With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward.
Learn more at axaxl.com
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