Senior Actuary & Development Manager

About Swiss Re

About the role:

The U.S. Group & Medical Reinsurance team is responsible for the origination and development of Group Life, Accident and Long-Term Disability and Medical reinsurance.  In this position you will have new business origination responsibility for the full spectrum of Swiss Re's Group Life, Accident and Long-Term Disability products and services and ensure the maximization of economic and GAAP profit results for assigned clients. In addition, you will be the lead 'messenger' in terms of showcasing how Swiss Re can help prospects / your assigned clients to sell more business, create operating efficiencies, and improve the performance of their portfolio(s).  

Key Responsibilities:

• New business origination, development and strategic dialogue with carrier key decision makers and reinsurance brokers in the Group Life, Accident and Long-Term Disability market
• Development and implementation of business and strategic new business engagement plan approach in order to achieve sustainable competitive advantages for Swiss Re
• Monitor the market(s)/line(s) of business with regards to news/information on clients and competitors, reinsurance, Insurtech updates
• Building relationships, creating strong networks, and having an impactful presence
• Direct involvement with cross functional teams
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with other departments within Swiss Re to facilitate the resolution of potential business issues
• Understand the problems and challenges of prospects and/or clients and identify ways Swiss Re could address those needs; this includes:
  • Anticipating needs of prospects and/or clients and selling/pitching Swiss Re services (inclusive of creating persuasive pitch decks and external presentations)
  • Understanding market opportunities in order to source new opportunities
  • Working with colleagues within Swiss Re's U.S. Group & Medical Reinsurance, U.S. Individual Life Insurance or Solutions' teams and cross functional teams in the development of new solutions
• Represent Swiss Re's U.S. Group Reinsurance team at industry meetings and prospect and/or client meetings

Marketing and Branding

• Improve industry presence of Swiss Re as an innovative partner through prospect and/or client interactions and other external means such as social media, insurance/reinsurance board member representation, speaking at industry events and writing articles for industry publications
• Craft the right stories and messages to enhance our brand in the Solutions space
• Design/enhance marketing materials to improve our external brand and effectiveness
• Support the team in messaging to tell compelling and engaging stories
• Deliver Swiss Re's sustainability goal of closing the Protection Gap by finding ways to enable our clients to address associated pain points.

Leadership and Teamwork

• Supports achievement of the Swiss Re vision, values, and goals in personal behavior, actions and decision making
• Acts as change agent and drives commercial culture, agility and innovative thinking for business development purposes
• Motivates Group reinsurance team by fostering open communication / exchange of creative ideas
• Supports multi-disciplined team(s) across matrix to achieve objectives
• Provides leadership and support by searching out external best practices and continued professional development
• Encourages/enables constructive cross-business teamwork by demonstrating collaboration and challenging actions and behaviors that aren't consistent with Swiss Re standards or the best interest of its customers

About You:

Education Background:

University degree or equivalent required. Strong business component preferred.

Professional experience:

Minimum 10+ years of practice in Group Life, Accident and LTD insurance or reinsurance.

Knowledge of the group life and long-term disability insurance industry with a pulse on future trends

FSA designation is preferred

Experience within various disciplines (eg. actuarial, underwriting, sales, finance)

Experience in originating new business and maintaining client relationships – both direct and brokered

Consultative selling and effective branding capabilities

Track record as successful sales leader and dealmaker is preferred

Knowledge of emerging technologies and the InsurTech space is an advantage

Medical insurance or reinsurance experience a plus, but not required

Leadership qualities:

Entrepreneurial and strategic thinker focused on delivering results

Motivational skills and ability to promote teamwork and cooperation across business units and functions

Excellent sales, negotiation, influencing and presentation skills; executive presence

Other requirements:

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required

Demonstrated initiative, pragmatism, and business judgement

Multilateral thinking and acting

At ease with leaving comfort zone and stretching oneself and performing under pressure.

Ability to successfully manage conflicts

Open minded, trustworthy and enthusiastic

Physical Demands

Significant travel is required for prospect visits and industry conferences/events – minimum 50%