Chief Underwriting Officer

About the Role

Our client is setting up a new Managing General Agent (MGA) in Dubai. We are looking for a Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) for Commercial Lines who has done this before and can build the underwriting function from day one. You will own underwriting strategy, appetite, pricing discipline and portfolio
performance, and you will hire and lead the team. This is a founding-team role for a self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset who is energised by building rather than inheriting.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the underwriting strategy, risk appetite, target classes and underwriting guidelines for the MGA's commercial lines portfolio
• Set and own pricing, rating methodology, terms and conditions, and referral and authority levels
• Build and negotiate capacity relationships with insurers, reinsurers and Lloyd's/market partners; manage delegated authority and binding agreements, including bordereaux, audits and reporting
• Underwrite and sign off on complex and larger risks, and make final calls on referrals
• Hire, develop and lead the underwriting team, including underwriters, technical support and underwriting

Operations

• Monitor portfolio performance (loss ratios, accumulation, exposure, rate adequacy) and take corrective

Action

• Work with the broking and distribution community to win quality business and build the MGA's reputation in the market
• Partner with claims, actuarial, finance, legal and compliance to embed strong governance, controls and

Regulatory Compliance

• Contribute to the MGA's business plan, product development and go-to-market strategy

Other Requirements

• Represent the MGA externally with brokers, capacity providers, regulators and clients
• Own the MGA's underwriting P&L: deliver profitable growth against the business plan, including product
• Support the MGA's licensing and regulatory approvals in Dubai, and secure capacity-provider approvals and ratings as required
• Set underwriting authorities and referral triggers, and keep the MGA audit-ready for capacity providers

Experience and Qualifications

Required

• Substantial senior underwriting experience in commercial lines (proven track record, typically 15+ years), with prior leadership of an underwriting team
• Hands-on experience in EMEA, Asia or other Tier 1 markets, with an established network of brokers and capacity providers
• Strong technical underwriting and pricing skills across multiple commercial classes (for example property, casualty, financial lines, marine, engineering or specialty)
• Working knowledge of delegated authority and MGA/coverholder operating models
• Currently based in Dubai, or able to relocate quickly
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; professional qualifications such as ACII/CII, or equivalent, preferred

Desirable

• Previous experience launching or scaling an MGA, start-up or new underwriting unit
• Familiarity with DIFC / UAE Central Bank insurance regulation
• Experience with underwriting systems, data analytics and portfolio management tools

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial self-starter, comfortable with ambiguity and hands-on work in a start-up setting
• Credible, commercially minded leader with sound judgement and underwriting discipline
• Strong relationship builder and negotiator
• Clear communicator with high integrity