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About the Role

The Head of Ceded Reinsurance leads Travelers Europe's ceded reinsurance strategy and relationships, with oversight of the analysis, placement, management, and optimisation of reinsurance programmes. This role shapes and refines risk appetite and reinsurance strategy, ensures appropriate programme structure recommendations are made, and that placement is executed effectively. It drives day-to-day treaty placement activity, provides thought leadership on long-term placement strategy and other critical reinsurance matters, and builds robust internal and external networks. This role has direct line management responsibility and is a Key Function holder within the Senior Manager and Certification Regime (SM&CR).

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the overall ceded reinsurance strategy, aligned with corporate risk appetite and business objectives.
Lead the design and structuring of treaty and facultative reinsurance programmes across all lines of business, driving best-in-market structures that differentiate the company and meet strategic goals.
Provide thought leadership and strategic guidance to senior leadership on reinsurance market conditions and opportunities, and on how reinsurance can influence business strategy.
Ensure reinsurance solutions support enterprise growth, profitability, and capital optimisation.
Establish and maintain key broker and reinsurer relationships to secure optimal market access and competitive terms, building strategic partnerships with top-tier reinsurance markets globally.
Manage broker expectations and timelines for assigned placements, coordinating materials and meeting with and presenting to reinsurance markets.
Represent the company at industry events, reinsurance market meetings, and, where appropriate, on reinsurance industry panels.
Appoint brokers and engage in joint strategic planning to align on objectives and market opportunities, keeping reinsurers updated on plans and developments.
Partner with underwriting, actuarial, finance, risk management, and capital management teams to ensure alignment and deliver group objectives.
Communicate proactively with business units, demonstrating a thorough understanding of primary coverages and underwriting strategies.
Propose ideas and solutions to portfolio challenges above and beyond renewal placements, leading management strategy decision meetings and advocating for the best option.
Communicate reinsurance strategy and results effectively to diverse stakeholder groups, building consensus and driving execution of group-wide initiatives.
Oversee the placement and renewal of treaty and facultative reinsurance agreements, ensuring optimal protection while managing cost efficiency.
Independently negotiate pricing, coverage, exclusions, terms, and conditions with reinsurance markets to obtain the best terms for the company.
Coordinate the preparation of reinsurance submissions and gather the information required from brokers, evaluating and implementing changes to data requirements.
Continuously evaluate and enhance reinsurance coverage and structures to maintain competitive advantage.
Draft and propose contract wording for new and renewal treaties, researching conceptual topics and evaluating alternative clauses.
Research and implement changes to standard treaty clauses and perform secondary contract reviews.
Oversee documentation and contract management processes.
Use capital model metrics to assess the effectiveness of the reinsurance strategy against regulatory capital requirements and internal targets, optimising capital efficiency in collaboration with capital management and actuarial teams.
Verify data for accuracy and identify anomalies, directing brokers and actuarial teams on pricing and risk-evaluation analytics and their implications for placement options.
Monitor and report on capital relief achieved and on reinsurance programme performance and market trends.
Manage internal and external reporting requirements and prepare comprehensive reports and presentations for executive leadership and board committees.
Evaluate broker and reinsurer presentations for veracity and applicability, proposing renewal structure changes and establishing the associated evaluation criteria.
Apply knowledge of capital market (ILS) and structured reinsurance solutions and consult on their use.
Provide leadership and technical expertise on intercompany reinsurance solutions and reinsurance impacts from corporate M&A activity.
Analyse catastrophe exposure and develop appropriate risk-transfer solutions.
Monitor reinsurance recoverables and ensure their timely collection.
Evaluate the financial impact of reinsurance decisions on company results.
Design and implement team controls and develop corporate reinsurance policies to assure compliance, appropriate referral protocols, and best practices.
Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements, maintaining corporate governance standards and risk-management frameworks.
Take reasonable steps to ensure the business for which you are responsible is controlled effectively and complies with the relevant requirements and standards of the regulatory system.
Take reasonable steps to ensure any delegation of responsibility is to an appropriate person and that oversight of the delegation is discharged effectively.
Disclose appropriately any information of which the FCA and PRA would reasonably expect to have notice.
Lead, mentor, and develop the ceded reinsurance team, coaching members on the technical expertise and other skills required to perform effectively, and developing and implementing associated training programmes.
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, and build organisational capability in reinsurance expertise.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Proven experience leading a reinsurance function, with demonstrated success in strategic leadership.
Extensive experience of Global Property and Casualty Insurance and Reinsurance business.
Proven knowledge and understanding of London Market processes and systems.
Extensive experience in reinsurance, including in a senior leadership role.
Proven track record in reinsurance programme design, placement, and negotiation, and in building and maintaining broker and reinsurer relationships.
Strong understanding of capital modelling and its application to reinsurance strategy.
Fitness and Probity (F&P) will be assessed — and certified where required — both on appointment and annually thereafter.
Post-holders are required to abide by the Conduct Rules at all times.
Successful candidate will receive a Statement of Responsibilities (SoR) outlining their specific accountabilities, along with any applicable mandatory prescribed responsibilities.

Skills

Reinsurance strategy
Reinsurance programme analysis
Reinsurance programme placement
Reinsurance programme management
Reinsurance programme optimisation
Risk appetite
Reinsurance strategy refinement
Reinsurance programme structure recommendations
Treaty placement
Relationship-building
Executive presence
Thought leadership
Strategic placement
Network building
Line management
Underwriting
Actuarial
Finance
Risk management
Capital management
Broker relationship management
Reinsurer relationship management
Market access
Negotiation
Contract wording
Capital modelling
Catastrophe exposure analysis
Risk transfer solutions
Reinsurance recoverables monitoring
Operational controls
Regulatory compliance
Corporate governance
Risk-management frameworks
Team leadership
Mentoring
Team development
Coaching
Training programme development
Collaboration
Innovation
Continuous improvement
Organisational capability building

Location

London

Work Type

Full-time
Permanent
Hybrid

Experience Level

Senior leadership role
Head of Ceded Reinsurance

Education Level

University degree (Business, Finance, Actuarial Science, or related field)
ACII (Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute) qualification

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance (single cover provided, option to add dependents at expense)
Pension Plan (core company contribution, increased contribution with employee contribution)
25 days holiday entitlement annually (minimum)
Opportunity to purchase additional holiday days (up to 35 total)
Wellness programme (tools, discounts, resources)
Mental health programme (access to free professional counseling services)
Volunteer Encouragement (Matching Gift and Volunteer Rewards programme)

About the Company

Taking care of our customers, our communities and each other. That’s the Travelers Promise.
Maintained our reputation as one of the best property casualty insurers in the industry for over 170 years.
A culture that is rooted in innovation and thrives on collaboration.

Equal Opportunity

Travelers is an equal opportunity employer.
We value the unique abilities and talents each individual brings to our organization and recognize that we benefit in numerous ways from our differences.
If you are a candidate and have specific questions regarding the physical requirements of this role, please send us an email so we may assist you.
Travelers reserves the right to fill this position at a level above or below the level included in this posting.