Head of Ocean Marine

AXA XL offers property, casualty, financial lines and specialty insurance and reinsurance solutions for mid‑sized companies through to large multinationals globally. We blend underwriting discipline, analytic excellence, and a strong market focus to create stellar partnerships with clients and brokers.

Our ambition is to unlock a more sustainable and prosperous tomorrow by helping businesses navigate the world’s risks. In the Americas, we’ll live up to that ambition by delivering value far beyond the insurance policies we provide. We’re confronting our clients’ risk management difficulties by finding solutions that further their strategic goals and help them build more sustainable, thriving businesses.

As the Head of Ocean Marine, Americas, you will embody these values, lead the Americas Ocean Marine unit, be responsible for developing and executing on the Americas strategy for this product. This role has full P&L responsibility and reports directly to the CUO Specialty, Americas.

The Head of Ocean Marine will oversee underwriting activities, driving strategic initiatives, managing underwriting performance, and fostering a culture of excellence within the unit. The ideal candidate will possess deep understanding of Ocean Marine insurance lines (e.g., Carho, Hull & Liabilities), outstanding leadership capabilities, and a proven track record of driving underwriting performance in dynamic and motivated markets.

What will your essential responsibilities include?

• Strategic Leadership & Profit & Loss
  • Define and execute the strategic direction for the Ocean Marine unit within Large Commercial
  • Own budgeting, profitability targets, pricing strategy, and portfolio quality across Cargo, Hull, and Liability.
  • Manage renewals of the existing policies and origination and underwriting of new business.
• Growth, Market Expansion & Channel Management
  • Lead growth initiatives and geographic expansion plans, including new broker partnerships and cross‑sell opportunities.
  • Develop and manage a robust broker distribution strategy to drive market share in current and new regions.
• Governance, Underwriting Standards & Risk Management
  • Establish and maintain underwriting guidelines, risk appetite, and referral processes to ensure consistent quality and regulatory compliance.
  • Partner with analytics to monitor portfolio risk, loss experience, and performance trends; adjust strategies as needed.
• Talent Development & Organizational Health
  • Manage and mentor a high‑performing underwriting team; implement succession planning and development plans.
  • Foster a culture of learning, cross‑functional collaboration, and accountability.
• Stakeholder Engagement & External Representation
  • Maintain strong relationships with brokers, clients, and cross‑functional leaders (Product, Pricing, Ops).
  • Represent the organization at industry events and internal/external forums to advance the Marine business.
• Operations & Continuous Improvement
  • Streamline processes, leverage data and technology (e.g., workflow tooling, analytics dashboards) to improve efficiency and decision quality.
• Change Management & Future Readiness
  • Lead and manage change initiatives (growth, product development, process improvements) with a focus on adoption and business impact.

You will report to the Chief Underwriting Officer, Specialty, Americas.

We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent).
• Proven extensive experience in Ocean Marine insurance underwriting and in managing a market leading team.
• Possesses demonstrated technical knowledge and skills, including product and industry, reflective of successful progression through various job family levels.
• Leadership: ability to lead and motivate. Results‑oriented with a focus on achieving performance targets.
• Advanced analytical, negotiation and sales/marketing skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Interpersonal Savvy – Demonstrated ability to build and maintain robust insured and broker contacts.
• Ability to develop and understand business processes, strategy and planning.
• Ability to respond to a changing environment with flexibility and innovation.
• Collabora…