Head of Market Unit for L&H UKI & MEA (Hybrid - 80-100%)

Swiss Re•London, England, UK

fulltime

Marketing and Sales

12+ years

About the role

Ready to shape the future of Life & Health reinsurance across the UK, Ireland, Middle East, and Africa? This is your opportunity to lead a strategically vital market unit at the intersection of established and emerging markets, driving sustainable growth and innovation.

About The Role As Head of Market Unit for L&H UKI & MEA, you'll define and execute strategy across diverse regions with unique challenges and opportunities. You'll balance portfolio growth with disciplined underwriting performance, strengthening our business position in both mature and developing markets while positioning us as the strategic partner of choice.

Key Responsibilities

Define and Execute Regional Strategy: Develop a multi-year strategic roadmap aligned with global L&H priorities, steering the regional portfolio to optimize return on capital and earnings quality. Identify structural growth themes and translate them into actionable commercial initiatives.
Drive Portfolio Performance: Own the profitability, growth, and risk profile of the regional portfolio, championing underwriting excellence and pricing discipline to maintain commercial competitiveness. Lead portfolio steering actions, including repricing, remediation, and business mix optimization.
Cultivate Executive Relationships: Lead executive-level relationships with key UKI & MEA clients and stakeholders. Position our company as a long-term strategic partner across risk transfer, capital management, and innovation.
Champion Innovation: Drive the development of commercially relevant solutions and ensure innovation efforts are commercially viable, scalable, and aligned with regional client priorities.
Optimize Operating Model: Ensure an efficient, scalable operating model suited to both mature and developing markets, driving productivity, simplification, and operational risk management, while fostering cross-functional collaboration with global teams.
Lead and Develop Talent: Inspire and develop a high-performing regional leadership team, creating clarity of direction and alignment around strategic priorities to build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation. Strengthen succession planning and talent development across UKI & MEA.

About The Team The UKI & MEA Life & Health team operates across diverse markets spanning mature economies and developing regions. The team drives strategic reinsurance partnerships, innovative solutions, and sustainable growth while navigating unique regulatory environments and market dynamics across multiple territories.

About You You are an inspirational and inclusive leader who can articulate a compelling vision and has demonstrated the ability to develop, retain, and align talent with business strategy. Outcome-driven with a can-do attitude, you bring genuine passion for creating impact in complex markets.

We Are Looking For Candidates Who Meet These Requirements

Extensive experience in (re)insurance and/or financial services, with a proven record as a successful sales leader and business originator and/or as a strong technical leader in underwriting
Demonstrated track record of high-impact leadership across diverse and multicultural environments, consistently delivering results through inclusive management
Deep understanding of (re)insurance markets and products, particularly in Life & Health sectors
Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate market insights into actionable business plans
Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to influence at executive levels

These Are Additional Nice To Haves

Experience working in or with emerging markets, particularly in the Middle East or Africa
Background in digital transformation or innovation within financial services
Knowledge of regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions
Experience in managing through market cycles and economic volatility
Track record of successful change management initiatives
Multilingual capabilities relevant to the regions

The Specific Salary Offered Considers

the requirements, scope, complexity and responsibilities of the role
the applicant's own profile including education/qualifications, expertise, specialisation, skills and experience

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for additional rewards and benefits including an attractive performance-based annual bonus.

Our company has a hybrid work model where the expectation is that you will be in the office at least three days per week About Swiss Re Swiss Re is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, insurance and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer, working to make the world more resilient. We anticipate and manage a wide variety of risks, from natural catastrophes and climate change to cybercrime. Combining experience with creative thinking and cutting-edge expertise, we create new opportunities and solutions for our clients. This is possible thanks to the collaboration of more than 14,000 employees across the world.

Our success depends on our ability to build an inclusive culture encouraging fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. We embrace a workplace where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and develop professionally regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, skillset, thought or other characteristics. In our inclusive and flexible environment everyone can bring their authentic selves to work and their passion for sustainability.

If you are an experienced professional returning to the workforce after a career break, we encourage you to apply for open positions that match your skills and experience.

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