Underwriter - Credit & Surety

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital – a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance.  We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture.  As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry.

At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, civil union status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in the selection process.

How does this role contribute to our collective success?

The Underwriter Credit & Surety is expected to actively participate in the strategic development and delivery of a technically profitable portfolio pursuant to the underwriting policy and business plan as defined by AXIS Re Executive Management as well as build and enhance commercial relationships with clients and brokers. The primary goal of the Underwriter is to secure renewals to deliver a profitable portfolio.

What will you do in this role?

Create underwriting assessments pursuant to underwriting guidelines, considering treaty profit history, risk characteristics and individual authority 

• Methodical use of Underwriting worksheets as the means to communicate risk assessments and developments and in preparation for referrals

• Collaborate with internal actuaries to achieve acceptable treaty pricing relative to each treaty’s risk profile

• Negotiating pricing, terms and conditions with brokers/clients, in accordance with the underwriting guidelines and within the agreed parameters established during the peer review

• Validating reinsurance treaties, once drafted, and participating in the treaty management process

• Validate accuracy of treaty information input into the systems

• Analysing markets and develop market strategies

• Analysing team

• Support maintaining commercial relations with clients or intermediaries in all markets for which the underwriter has been assigned responsibility.

• Liaison with internal clients (accounting, finance, actuarial pricing, reserving pricing and claims)

• Upon conclusion of each treaty renewal, work with underwriting assistants to verify accuracy of treaty detail, pricing and deal terms in our underwriting systems

• Support creating presentations for internal/external use

You may also be required to take on additional duties, responsibilities and activities appropriate to the nature of this role.

About Applicant:

Intermediate to advanced financial and credit analysis skills, understanding of accounting and cash flow analysis. 

Communication skills are of paramount importance, Clarity, being concise and definitive in communications is vital.

Comfortable in high stress negotiations, ability to make sound arguments based upon underwriting and actuarial pricing outputs.

Able to make decisions when faced with ambiguity and changing priorities.

Prior knowledge of credit & surety practices would be of value.

What you need to have:

• University degree and preferable 1-2 years of reinsurance underwriting experience

• Fluent in English and another European language

• Ability to manage priorities under intense pressure and time constraints

• Solid understanding of basic software: word, excel, access, power point

• Demonstrated rigor and work ethic

• High level of motivation and a proposer of solutions

• Team player with strong collaboration skills

• Strong communicator, open and transparent

• Knowledge of financial and credit analysis skills

 What we prefer you to have:

• Clear and demonstrated skills in negotiations with international counterparties

• Basic understanding of reinsurance structures and the needs they serve

• Prior experience in Credit, Surety and Political risk underwriting would be helpful

Role Factors:

In this role, you will typically be required to:

Travel national or internationally occasionally

Be in the office 3 days per week

Attend broker events in evenings and occasionally at weekends as required.

What we offer:

You will be eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for you and your family, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid annual leave, and much more.