SVP, Head of North America MGA

The SVP, Head of North America Program Business Underwriting has overall accountability for the North America program business underwriting function, including strategy, business origination, underwriting standards, portfolio performance, and new product development. The role balances sustainable growth with disciplined risk selection, pricing adequacy, contract quality, and compliance with SCOR’s underwriting and enterprise risk management frameworks.

The SVP leads, develops, and manages the Program Business Underwriting team; allocates account and portfolio responsibilities; provides decision support on complex referrals; and maintains clear accountability for execution. The role partners with the North America CEO, CUO office, actuarial, claims, legal, finance, reserving, risk management, operations, and technical accounting teams to deliver profitable results and an effective control environment.

Leadership, Strategy and Underwriting Governance:

• Set and execute the North America Program Business strategy in alignment with regional and global objectives.
• Own portfolio profitability and growth, establishing underwriting appetite, performance targets, and corrective actions.
• Establish underwriting governance, authorities, referral standards, controls, and management reporting for the team.
• Review and approve complex transactions within delegated authority and sponsor matters requiring senior approval.
• Represent the portfolio in governance forums and provide clear, timely reporting on performance, exposures, emerging risks, and strategic priorities.

Business Development and Transaction Leadership:

• Lead origination, evaluation, structuring, negotiation, and onboarding of new program opportunities. Sponsor robust business cases and recommendations for approval by the North America CEO, CUO office, and other applicable governance bodies.

Ensure contract wording, pricing, operational readiness, due diligence, and control requirements are addressed before binding.

• Team Leadership and Talent Management
  • Lead, coach, and develop Program Business Underwriters, setting clear objectives and reinforcing accountability for results and conduct.
  • Allocate portfolios and decision authorities based on experience, capacity, business priorities, and succession needs.
  • Build a high-performing, inclusive team through regular feedback, talent reviews, development planning, knowledge sharing, and effective workforce planning.
  • Foster cross-functional collaboration and ensure issues are escalated and resolved promptly.
• Marketing Activities
  • Own senior market relationships with Program Administrators, MGAs, brokers, and strategic partners.
  • Represent SCOR at key industry events and strengthen SCOR’s visibility and reputation in the program market.
  • Direct origination priorities and maintain a qualified pipeline consistent with underwriting appetite and portfolio objectives.
• Compliance and ERM and ESG Activities
  • Ensure an effective control environment, including compliance with licensing, legal, regulatory, ESG, underwriting, and enterprise risk management requirements.
  • Oversee portfolio reviews, audits, and quarterly closing activities in partnership with control and support functions.
  • Drive timely remediation of underwriting, operational, claims, or control issues and escalation of material matters appropriately.

• College degree or equivalent work experience
• 15+ years of progressively responsible property and casualty (re) insurance experience, with substantial program business and underwriting leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading an underwriting team and delivering profitable growth across a complex portfolio. Deep knowledge of MGA and program structures, delegated authority, pricing, contract wording, portfolio management, claims trends, and underwriting controls.
• Strong strategic, commercial, financial, and underwriting judgment, with the ability to translate portfolio data into decisive action.
• Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders, lead through a matrix organization, and resolve complex business and risk issues.
• Strong people leadership capabilities, including coaching, performance management, talent development, succession planning, and change leadership.
• Executive-level communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with MGAs, brokers, clients, regulators, and internal partners. Sound decision-making under uncertainty and the ability to operate effectively in a…