Head of Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the 7 Reinsurance Specialty Lines of SCOR P&C and the Agriculture team has established a strong franchise in the market as a recognized expert in the (Re-)insurance community for decades.

We are recruiting the underwriting department team leader who will be responsible to manage this treaty portfolio (underwriting, controlling, developing, planning and steering) and to deliver on the execution of the Reinsurance SL Agriculture strategy that is the roadmap agreed as part of the Forward 2026 strategic plan.

The Jobholder manages a team of 7 Agriculture underwriters (6 based in Zurich and 1 based in Mumbai) and has the P&L responsibility of the underwriting decisions made for Agriculture treaty business written with SCOR P&C clients, incl.

the direct Agriculture underwriting of ESSOR and Agriculture-focused MGAs. It thus requires to be a team player and having effective communication and project management skills to work with all stakeholders, from direct reports, to peers and senior management.

The jobholder has a very good knowledge of the Agriculture line of business, brings strategic direction, has managerial skills to lead the Reinsurance SL Agriculture department, and works in a multi-cultural team in a complex environment.

The jobholder is a member of the Reinsurance Specialty Lines Management team.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Implement the strategies agreed with the P&C Management to achieve the objectives stated in the business plan
• Manage a team of 7 underwriters, that includes ensuring compliance with SCOR process / procedures / guidelines for (i) risks analysis, (ii) exposures assessment, (iii) pricing and (iv) underwriting delegated authorities
• Prepare and develop, in coordination with the CUO office, the Heads of Region or the Head of Global Client Unit, and associated Client Managers, the Reinsurance Business Plan for Agriculture which is line with our group strategic plan, requiring to coordinate with all the Heads of Regions and the Head of the Global Client Unit teams to achieve its objectives
• Contribute with the CUO office to the steering of the portfolio to optimize the deployment of the capital for the underwriting of Agriculture treaty business
• Support the Head of Speciality Lines on global projects

Principle activities

Underwriting :

• Responsible for underwriting Agriculture treaty business for SCOR, as per guidelines & procedures
• Responsible for the preparation of Agriculture Reinsurance Business Plan in coordination with the CUO office and the local P&C underwriting team
• Responsible for meeting the Business Plan’s targets and KPI that is elaborated and executed within capacities allocated by SCOR P&C Management
• Responsible for arranging training / workshop to enhance underwriters’ know-how in Agriculture and develop / promote UW best practices
• Responsible for the implementation of the steering actions defined with the CUO office to improve the Agriculture Reinsurance portfolio performance, engaging with the Retrocession team and Pricing team to optimize the return on equity of the deployment of our net capacity
• Identify new stream of opportunities and related critical issues : ensure we deploy adequate resources for the expected value creation of such opportunities

Marketing :

• Ongoing assessment of the reinsurance business potential of the Agriculture market for SCOR over the next 3 to 5 years based on product and / or market evolution
• Responsible for managing the relationship with core Agriculture clients / brokers of SCOR in coordination with Client Managers concerned if applicable
• Liaise with Client Managers of any important changes in the Agriculture market that would either create opportunities to develop business or create pressure on underwriting ratio
• Assist the Client Managers to revisit our current strategies and business plans taking into account Agriculture market developments
• Enhance SCOR P&C’s visibility in the Agriculture reinsurance market through Marketing activities including management visits, to consolidate, promote and develop the relationship with Clients (Cedants and Re brokers) and industry associations

Operational :

• Keep a good understanding of the Insurance Risk Transfer to local and international markets and by way of co-insurance, facultative, line slips, treaty, facilities, and ILS
• Follow up of insurance market trends and anticipate future changes and needs in the reinsurance market
• Conduct studies in conjunction with the CUO office for portfolio steering
• Contribute to the loss and / or exposure assessment of large events with the Claims department
• Contribute with the CUO office to the elaboration and then comply with Treaty P&C Underwriting Guidelines and Procedures, including implementation of recommendations following internal reviews and audits
• Participate and provide the business inputs during the Agriculture quarterly financial review meeting

Management

• Organize regular meetings with the SCOR Agriculture community to ensure consistency in our Agriculture approach and adherence to processes including for renewal monitoring and plans
• Manage an Agriculture Underwriting Team, including setting-up of performance targets and monitoring of individual achievement and development
• Responsible for the supervision & training of employees reporting to the jobholder
• Collaborate with the teams of the Heads of Region and the Head of Global Client Unit for a proper execution of the Agriculture plan
• Assume additional responsibilities in Global Projects, at the request of the Head of Specialty Lines

Required experience & competencies

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Agriculture (Re)-insurance underwriting
• Strong knowledge of the various Agriculture insurance products
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Posseses good management attributes
• Strategic thinker and able to federate in a complex environment
• Ability to navigate and succeed in an international organization, and to build a strong network internally with all relevant stakeholders, and externally with client and brokers

Required Education

• University Degree or similar education
• Insurance / Reinsurance qualifications desirable
Il y a 27 jours