Head of Underwriting Property & Energy & Construction, Italy

Head of Underwriting Property, Energy & Construction – Italia

We are looking for a professional with extensive experience in the insurance industry and proven leadership skills to lead Property, Energy & Construction (PEC) underwriting activities in Italy.

As Head of Underwriting Property, Energy & Construction, you will be responsible for defining and implementing the underwriting strategy, ensuring sustainable growth and strong technical profitability. You will lead a team of approximately 15 people and work closely with Distribution, Operations and Claims to deliver valuable solutions to brokers and clients.

You will also join the Italy Leadership Team, contributing to the entity’s strategic priorities and operating in an international, matrix environment.

The role reports to the Italy Country Manager, with a functional reporting line to the CUO Property, Energy & Construction at European level.

This is a regulated role under the Central Bank of Ireland’s Fitness and Probity regime.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead, develop and empower the Property, Energy & Construction underwriting team, fostering collaboration, accountability and professional growth.
• Define and implement the underwriting strategy, ensuring the achievement of premium volume, technical profitability and cost-control targets.
• Oversee portfolio quality and the entire underwriting process, including risk assessment, pricing, policy wording, authorities, compliance, credit risk, claims performance and renewals.
• Develop profitable growth opportunities and support client retention, in line with the APAC & Europe Business Unit’s priorities.
• Strengthen strategic relationships with brokers, clients and risk managers, while identifying cross-selling opportunities across business lines.
• Collaborate with Distribution, Middle Office, Claims, Risk Consulting and Captive teams to ensure effective service and innovative solutions.
• Represent AXA XL in the market and coordinate key stakeholders at local, regional and Group level.
• Contribute actively to the Italy Leadership Team and cross-functional initiatives across the entity, acting in line with the AXA Group’s values and leadership behaviours.

What you’ll bring

• Extensive experience in the property and casualty insurance sector, with strong expertise in underwriting and business development within Property sector.
• Knowledge of the Energy & Construction market would be a valuable asset.
• Experience leading and developing technical and commercial teams.
• Ability to analyse complex risks, make decisions and translate strategy into tangible results.
• Strong commercial, relationship-building and influencing skills, including with executive-level stakeholders.
• Excellent written and spoken Italian and English.
• An adaptive mindset, curiosity and the ability to propose new solutions.
• Ability to operate effectively in an international, matrix organisation.

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 axaxl.com/about-us/inclusion-and-diversity. 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 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 axaxl.com/sustainability.

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