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

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