Head of Marine – Europe
Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.
Location: London
Closing date for applications: 31st July 2026
The opportunity:
Global Specialty is a strategic growth business within Zurich, bringing together deep technical expertise, disciplined underwriting and global capabilities to help customers manage complex and evolving risks. With specialist teams across Marine, Energy, Financial Lines, Construction, Cyber, Credit & Surety, Accident & Health and other specialty lines, Global Specialty combines market-leading underwriting, claims and risk engineering expertise to deliver tailored solutions for clients around the world.
Our Marine Europe business plays a vital role in supporting international trade and commerce by providing specialist insurance solutions across a broad range of marine risks. Working closely with customers, brokers and colleagues across the region, the team offers deep technical expertise in marine underwriting and portfolio management, helping clients navigate an increasingly complex risk landscape while driving profitable and sustainable growth.
We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated individual to join Zurich’s Global Specialty Underwriting team as Head of Marine – Europe. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the underwriting strategy and performance of Zurich's Marine portfolio across Europe, driving profitable growth, portfolio optimisation and underwriting excellence whilst ensuring consistent execution across the region.
Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.
What will you be doing?
- Set and oversee execution of the Marine underwriting strategy across Europe, ensuring alignment with business objectives and delivery of target portfolio performance.
- Take accountability for portfolio performance through the use of data, analytics, performance metrics and market insights, identifying opportunities and risks and implementing changes where required.
- Monitor and analyse market trends, customer needs, distribution dynamics and regulatory developments relevant to the marine sector and adjust strategy accordingly.
- Hold ultimate accountability for financial results across the European Marine portfolio.
- Collaborate closely with Claims, Risk Engineering, Distribution and other internal stakeholders to achieve business objectives and deliver strong customer outcomes.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key clients, brokers and market partners to support profitable portfolio growth, and engage with reinsurers, regulators and rating agencies as required.
- Participate in regulatory, compliance and governance-related activities relevant to the line of business.
- Ensure the development of appropriate underwriting capabilities across Marine and foster a proactive, inclusive approach to talent development, succession planning and recruitment.
- Act as a subject matter expert, supporting the development and delivery of line of business underwriting training across the region.
- Drive continuous improvement of underwriting tools, processes and operational efficiency across the Marine line of business.
- Act as a referral point for underwriting decisions requiring higher levels of empowerment and support underwriters on the largest and most complex individual deals.
- Lead and contribute to underwriting reviews, identifying performance trends and ensuring agreed actions are implemented.
What are we looking for?
- Demonstrated expertise in underwriting marine risks and managing marine underwriting portfolios, with a proven track record of delivering profitable growth and driving portfolio performance.
- Deep understanding of the European marine market, underwriting landscape and regulatory environment.
- Strong portfolio management capabilities with experience leveraging data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions.
- Proven ability to develop and implement underwriting strategies across multiple markets.
- Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to lead, motivate and foster a culture of trust, accountability and high performance across geographically dispersed teams.
- Strong technical underwriting expertise and credibility within the market.
- Exceptional influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, including experience engaging with senior executives, brokers and external partners.
- Highly effective communicator with the ability to build strong internal and external relationships.
- Strong commercial acumen and customer-centric mindset.
- Excellent English language skills.
What will you get in return?
Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday, alongside a range of other flexible benefits
You can find out more about our wide range of employee benefits on our website.
Who we are:
At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.
With over 65,000 employees, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company that is a long-standing player in the insurance industry.
We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee: to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.
If you’re interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment where your creativity, ideas and contributions are recognised and rewarded, Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.
Our culture:
At Zurich, our strength comes from the diverse experiences, perspectives and talents of our people. Our goal is to create a workplace where every employee can flourish and where everyone feels valued, heard and respected.
Over a quarter of our employees are members of at least one of our inclusion communities (Employee Resource Groups), with groups focused on areas such as social mobility and cultural awareness. We’re proud to have received numerous industry awards recognising our diversity and inclusion policies and initiatives.
We’ve created an environment that places real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide practical advice and access to a wide range of lifestyle support, alongside opportunities to learn, grow and develop the skills needed for the future.
We actively support our employees to give back to their communities through volunteering and charitable activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest‑established corporate trusts in the UK. Together, we’ve supported causes across the UK through grants and volunteering, contributing over £100 million in funding and volunteered time.
Your application:
We’re committed to treating all applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, sexual orientation, disability or any other protected characteristic.
As an inclusive employer we also want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.
We’d love it if you could submit your application online. If you require an alternative method of applying, please send an email to recruitment@uk.zurich.com
So, make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us. #LI-Hybrid