Head of Global Contract Wordings, Non-Life

• Full-time
• Alternate Location *: Switzerland - Zurich

Company Description

PartnerRe is a leading, privately owned, multi-line global reinsurer with a reputation of financial stability and strength, and a commitment to rebuilding businesses and communities after risk events around the world.

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Job Description

About the role:

We are seeking an experienced and legally trained Head of Wordings to lead a specialized team across multiple locations within our Non-Life Reinsurance division. This is a hands-on role where you will actively engage in contract review and amendment while managing and mentoring your team. You will play a pivotal role in supporting Underwriters (UWs) to ensure that all contracts reflect the intended underwriting and commercial objectives, align with our risk appetite, and adhere to underwriting guidelines. When discrepancies arise, you will draft precise amendments and clarifications to facilitate negotiations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership: Actively manage, mentor, and participate in the work of a global team of contract specialists, ensuring high standards of work and fostering professional development.
• Contract Drafting & Review: Take a leading role in drafting, reviewing, and amending reinsurance contracts to ensure they accurately reflect underwriting and commercial intent while adhering to legal, regulatory, and risk guidelines.
• Underwriting Support: Collaborate closely with UWs to ensure contracts are in line with underwriting guidelines and risk appetite. Provide clear, actionable advice to help UWs focus on key contract terms and effectively negotiate with clients when necessary.
• Guideline Maintenance: Maintain and update the Non-Life Underwriting Guidelines as directed by the Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) to ensure they remain current and effective.
• Compliance and Regulatory: Monitor changes in reinsurance regulations and ensure all contract wordings are compliant with current laws and industry standards.
• Workflow Design & Improvement: Design and implement efficient workflows for contract review, focusing on improving the relevance, efficiency, and speed of reviews to support business closeness and client interaction when appropriate.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with UWs, the Legal team, and the CUO to ensure that contract terms are understood, practical, and enforceable. Provide support to UWs in prioritizing the critical elements of contracts over less essential points.

Qualifications

About you:

Legal Background: A legally trained professional (Bachelor’s degree in Law. Advanced degree preferred) with extensive experience in wordings and reinsurance contracts.

Proven Experience:

• Demonstrated expertise in reviewing, and amending reinsurance contracts, with a strong focus on ensuring contracts reflect the underwriting and commercial intent.
• Specific experience with US Casualty reinsurance contracts is highly desirable.
• Ability to distinguish between essential contract elements and less critical terms, advising UWs on practical solutions to achieve client acceptance.
• Experience in designing and implementing workflow improvements to enhance contract review processes.
• Experience managing and actively participating in the work of a team, providing both guidance and hands-on support.

Additional Information

LI-Hybrid

PartnerRe provides a working environment in which diversity is valued, where all employees feel welcome, respected, and empowered to perform at their best. We invite you to learn more about D&I at PartnerRe.

Thank you,

PartnerRe Hiring Team