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Head of Underwriting & Claims, CE (Open to all RGA EMEA Locations)

Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated

Cape Town, Johannesburg, Milan, Cologne, Paris, Warsaw, Madrid, Dublin, Amsterdam
Full-time
10+ years experience
Hybrid

Key Skills

Underwriting
Claims management
Strategic leadership
Risk assessment
Governance frameworks
Stakeholder management
Client engagement
Business development
Biometric risk
Operational excellence
Quality management
Team leadership
Coaching
Data-driven insights
Market analysis

Job Description

You desire impactful work.
 

You’re RGA ready

RGA is a purpose-driven organization working to solve today’s challenges through innovation and collaboration. A Fortune 200 Company and listed among its World’s Most Admired Companies, we’re the only global reinsurance company to focus primarily on life- and health-related solutions. Join our multinational team of intelligent, motivated, and collaborative people, and help us make financial protection accessible to all.

A Brief Overview

Reporting to the Regional Head of Underwriting, Claims, Medical and Biometric Risk, EMEA, the Head of Underwriting & Claims for CE is responsible for leading RGA's underwriting and claims activities within a sub-region. The role provides strategic leadership across client engagement, business development support, operational delivery, quality management and people leadership, ensuring RGA remains a trusted partner and market leader. Working closely with local market leadership, Business Development, Pricing and other key stakeholders, the role is accountable for strengthening client relationships, delivering strategic initiatives, and ensuring operational capabilities evolve to meet changing market needs. The role leverages regional expertise, biometric insights, technology and innovation to create sustainable value for clients while supporting RGA's growth ambitions in the assigned area.


What you will do

  • Serve as the senior underwriting and claims representative for the assigned area, developing strong relationships with clients, industry bodies and strategic partners to strengthen RGA’s market position.
  • Partner with the Managing Director, Business Development and Pricing teams to identify opportunities for profitable growth, enhanced client value, and retention or expansion of strategic accounts.
  • Provide underwriting and claims thought leadership to clients through presentations, workshops, audits, market forums and strategic discussions, acting as executive sponsor for key client relationships where appropriate.
  • Develop and execute the underwriting and claims strategy for the sub-region in alignment with regional and enterprise objectives, including delivery of strategic initiatives that improve client outcomes, operational effectiveness and market competitiveness.
  • Identify emerging market trends, regulatory developments and client needs, ensuring RGA remains at the forefront of industry developments while supporting the implementation of regional underwriting, claims and biometric initiatives within the assigned area.
  • Collaborate with the regional Underwriting, Claims, Medical & Biometric Risk leadership team and SMEs to deliver the regional strategy and share best practices across markets.
  • Lead the underwriting and claims teams within the sub-region to deliver high-quality services to clients, ensuring operational performance meets agreed service standards, client expectations and business objectives.
  • Oversee capacity planning, resource allocation and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, consistency and service delivery.
  • Lead client quality assurance programmes, oversee remediation of identified issues, and ensure appropriate governance, risk management and control frameworks are maintained across underwriting and claims activities.
  • Champion the adoption of market-leading biometric, underwriting and claims solutions, leverage emerging technologies and data-driven insights, and lead, coach and develop a high-performing underwriting and claims team that supports collaboration, learning and talent development.


Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) Professional qualification in underwriting, claims, insurance or a related discipline required
  • Significant life and health insurance or reinsurance experience, with substantial exposure to underwriting and/or claims leadership required
  • Proven experience leading technical, operational or client-facing teams and developing high-performing people required
  • Demonstrated success managing strategic client relationships and supporting business growth initiatives required
  • Experience delivering operational improvement and transformation initiatives required
  • Experience within a multinational or reinsurance environment preferred
  • Experience working across multiple product lines and distribution channels preferred
  • Strong understanding of underwriting philosophy, claims management, risk assessment and governance frameworks required
  • Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders both internally and externally. required
  • Strategic leadership, commercial acumen and execution across underwriting and claims activities within the assigned area. required
  • Underwriting, claims, risk assessment and governance expertise within the life and health insurance or reinsurance market. required
  • Excellent leadership, coaching and people development skills, with the ability to build high-performing teams. required
  • Exceptional relationship-building, stakeholder management and client engagement capabilities. required
  • Ability to influence and communicate effectively at executive level, including strong presentation skills. required
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance client needs, business objectives and risk management considerations. required
  • Operational leadership, quality management and continuous improvement capability, with a strong focus on client outcomes and operational excellence. required
  • Ability to thrive within a matrixed and evolving organisational structure. required
  • Advanced professional qualification in underwriting, claims, insurance or a related discipline preferred

What you can expect from RGA:

  • Gain valuable knowledge from and experience with diverse, caring colleagues around the world.

  • Enjoy a respectful, welcoming environment that fosters individuality and encourages pioneering thought.

  • Join the bright and creative minds of RGA, and experience vast, endless career potential.

We’re excited to get to know you and connect your unique skills with our global opportunities. To create a modern and seamless experience, we use artificial intelligence (AI) in parts of our preliminary screening process. This technology helps us personalize job recommendations, automate interview scheduling, evaluate candidates based solely on experience—without considering name, gender, or other personal details—and provide real-time answers through our chatbot. AI is used only during early screening and never makes hiring decisions. Your RGA recruiter will work closely with you every step of the way to ensure the process feels personal, thoughtful, and focused on you.

Core Responsibilities

The Head of Underwriting & Claims is responsible for leading strategic underwriting and claims activities within the sub-region to ensure operational excellence and market competitiveness. This role involves building strong client relationships, driving business growth, and overseeing governance and quality management frameworks.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree and a professional qualification in underwriting, claims, or insurance, along with significant experience in life and health insurance leadership. Proven success in managing strategic client relationships, influencing senior stakeholders, and leading high-performing teams is essential.

Benefits

  • Global career potential
  • Collaborative environment
  • Professional development

About Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated

Industry: Insurance

Company size: 1,001-5,000 employees

Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE: RGA) is a global industry leader specializing in life and health reinsurance and financial solutions that help clients effectively manage risk and optimize capital. Founded in 1973, RGA is today one of the world’s largest and most respected reinsurers and remains guided by a powerful purpose: to make financial protection accessible to all. As a global capabilities and solutions leader, RGA empowers partners through bold innovation, relentless execution, and dedicated client focus – all directed toward creating sustainable long-term value. RGA has approximately $4.3 trillion of life reinsurance in force and total assets of $156.6 billion as of December 31, 2025. To learn more about RGA and its businesses, please visit www.rgare.com

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