SVP, Group Head of Ceded Reinsurance

Job description

Company Shared Services Argo and Farm Family are specialty property and casualty insurance brands whose underwriting companies are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Clearbrook Holdings Inc. Argo and Farm Family partner with agents and brokers to provide insurance solutions that enable businesses to manage risks with confidence. Job Description The Senior Vice President, Group Head of Ceded Reinsurance is responsible for leading Clearbrook's global ceded reinsurance function and establishing the enterprise strategy for risk transfer, capital management, reinsurance purchasing, counterparty management, and ceded reinsurance operations. The role provides executive leadership and oversight of all treaty and facultative reinsurance purchasing activities including loss portfolio transfers, third-party capital arrangements, ceded reinsurance operational processes, regulatory compliance, and strategic relationships with brokers and reinsurers. The position serves as the primary advisor to executive leadership regarding the use of reinsurance to optimize capital, earnings volatility, risk appetite, and balance sheet protection. Working closely with Underwriting, Actuarial, Finance, Capital Modeling, Risk Management, Claims, Legal, and Executive Leadership, the Group Head develops and executes global reinsurance strategies that support the organization's business objectives while ensuring strong governance, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions. This role also serves as a key participant and advisor to executive committees and Boards regarding reinsurance strategy, counterparty risk management, and emerging market developments. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Enterprise Reinsurance Strategy & Capital Management Develop and execute the enterprise-wide ceded reinsurance strategy aligned with corporate objectives, risk appetite, and capital management goals. Establish long-term reinsurance purchasing strategies across all business segments, geographies, and lines of business. Evaluate and recommend optimal use of traditional reinsurance, alternative risk transfer solutions, and third-party capital structures. Advise executive leadership regarding catastrophe protection, earnings stabilization, balance sheet protection, capital efficiency, and enterprise risk management. Assess market conditions, emerging trends, pricing dynamics, and capacity developments impacting corporate reinsurance strategy. Partner with Finance, Actuarial, and Capital Modeling teams to evaluate the financial and economic impacts of reinsurance structures and alternative scenarios. Placement Leadership & Program Oversight Provide executive oversight of all treaty and facultative placement activities. Review and approve renewal strategies, treaty structures, retentions, limits, and market approaches. Ensure consistency of reinsurance program design across business units while balancing local business needs and enterprise objectives. Oversee development of submission materials, negotiation strategies, and placement execution. Provide guidance on complex coverage structures, contract language, and market negotiations. Review major placement outcomes and approve material reinsurance transactions prior to execution. Oversee reinsurance documentation standards, contract certainty requirements, and governance of policy wording. Executive Stakeholder & Board Engagement Serve as the executive leader responsible for communicating reinsurance strategy and outcomes to senior leadership. Lead presentations to executive committees, Boards, Group Reinsurance Committees, Risk Committees, and Security Committees. Develop recommendations supporting strategic decision-making regarding risk transfer and capital deployment. Provide expert counsel to executive leadership regarding material market developments, counterparty changes, and strategic opportunities. Represent the organization before regulators, rating agencies, auditors, and external stakeholders regarding ceded reinsurance matters, as necessary. Counterparty & Market Relationship Management Establish and maintain executive-level relationships with global brokers, reinsurers, third-party capital providers, and industry organizations. Define enterprise counterparty risk management standards. Monitor reinsurer financial strength, credit quality, concentration risk, and market exposures. Chair or oversee reinsurer security reviews and counterparty governance processes. Lead strategic broker selection processes and service reviews. Direct oversight of reinsurer and broker performance management programs. Operations, Governance & Compliance Provide executive oversight of ceded reinsurance operations, data governance, and assist with financial reporting, as necessary. Ensure effective internal controls, SOX compliance, audit readiness, and regulatory reporting requirements. Establish enterprise standards for treaty administration, system governance, reconciliations, and reporting accuracy. Oversee regulatory reporting requirements, including Schedule F. Ensure effective governance over ceded reinsurance systems, processes, documentation, and record retention practices. Sponsor operational transformation initiatives, process automation, and technology improvements. Financial Oversight Accountable for ceded reinsurance financial performance and achievement of strategic objectives. Review ceded results, recoverables, commissions, profit-sharing arrangements, and capital impacts. Partner with Finance and Actuarial teams to evaluate profitability and effectiveness of reinsurance structures. Oversee budgeting and financial planning activities associated with ceded reinsurance programs. Monitor ceded portfolio effectiveness and recommend adjustments as business conditions evolve. Leadership & Talent Development Lead the ceded reinsurance function and establish organizational strategy, structure, and capability requirements. Build, develop, and mentor high-performing teams across placement, operations, analytics, and administration. Ensure succession planning and development of future reinsurance leaders. Foster collaboration across underwriting, actuarial, finance, claims, and risk functions. Create a culture focused on accountability, collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Education Bachelor’s degree in risk management, finance, economics, mathematics, actuarial science, business, or related field required. Master's degree preferred. Professional Designations CPCU, ARe, ARM, CFA, or comparable industry designation preferred. Experience Fifteen-plus years of progressive insurance and reinsurance experience. Significant experience in ceded reinsurance purchasing, treaty structuring, facultative placements, and capital management. Demonstrated success leading global or enterprise-wide reinsurance functions. Experience interacting with executive leadership, Boards, regulators, rating agencies, and external stakeholders. Strong understanding of: Property & Casualty insurance Treaty and facultative reinsurance Alternative capital structures Regulatory frameworks Solvency and capital management Reinsurance accounting and financial reporting SOX and governance requirements Leadership Competencies Strategic Enterprise Leadership Executive Influence & Communication Financial & Capital Acumen Risk & Governance Expertise Market & Industry Insight Negotiation & Relationship Management Organizational Leadership Talent Development Change Leadership Operational Excellence The base salary range provided below is for hires in those geographic areas only and will be commensurate with candidate experience. Pay ranges for candidates in other locations may differ based on the cost of labor in that location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus based on company and individual performance as well as a generous benefits package. New York, NY and Chicago, IL Pay Range: $275,000.00 - $325,000.00 PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. At this time, we are not able to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar state or local law and you wish to discuss potential reasonable accommodations related to applying for employment with us, please contact our Benefits Department at 210-321-8400. Benefits and Compensation We offer a competitive compensation package, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits program—including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. Core Values At Clearbrook our Core Values are Integrity, Collaboration, Pursuit of Excellence and Forward Thinking. These values reflect who we are today and who we aspire to be - guiding how we work, how we lead and how we succeed.