Head of Middle Market, Americas

About the role

As the Head of Middle Market, Americas, you will lead the Middle Market Underwriting unit, developing and executing the Americas strategy for this segment. This role has full P&L responsibility and reports directly to the CEO Americas as part of the Leadership team. You will work with regional underwriting business leaders, partners, and the Global Underwriting Office to deliver profitable growth and underwriting excellence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategy that drives profitable growth in the Middle Market segment by focusing on solutions that matter most, value beyond the policy, data-driven relationships, and operational efficiency.
• Grow the unit organically by building critical market assets such as product portfolio, distribution network, and operating platform, while exploring other growth accelerators.
• Provide strategic direction and data-driven decisions for risk assessment and portfolio management to achieve underwriting excellence and optimize performance.
• Set and achieve qualitative and quantitative targets (technical and operational) for the underwriting team, including long-term underwriting goals and cycle management strategies.
• Foster a culture of innovation within the underwriting team and across the organization to address emerging risks and leverage new technologies.
• Lead and inspire the underwriting team, creating a high-performance culture through effective management and continuous feedback.
• Align the underwriting proposition with brokers and clients, developing new market relationships to increase production and profit for AXA XL.
• Represent AXA XL in industry forums and engage with key stakeholders to enhance relationships and business opportunities.
• Build and promote AXA XL’s brand, underwriting, risk services, claims, and client experience leadership in the external insurance market.
• Lead continuous underwriting operational improvement and transformation while maintaining a sound governance framework.
• Develop productive relationships with AXA XL and AXA Group leadership to promote a shared view of performance and potential in the Americas Programs and E&S segment.
• Ensure adherence to underwriting governance, compliance principles, and regulatory standards.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities, allocating resources to deliver high levels of customer service.
• Develop and implement underwriting strategies to optimize expense ratios, monitor underwriting expenses, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Set individual objectives, review performance, and provide ongoing feedback to team members.
• As a member of the Americas Leadership team, provide visionary leadership, innovation, and thought partnership to influence and collaborate with other executives.
• Leverage AXA Group’s international reach and navigate its organizational culture to create business impact through empathy, collaboration, and inclusion.

Requirements

• Deep understanding of the Americas P&C insurance market, pricing, and underwriting techniques.
• Established relationships and credibility with critical distribution partners.
• Ability to influence and inspire colleagues to deliver on business objectives while collaborating across the organization.
• Proven track record of attracting and developing technical and leadership talent at all levels.
• Commitment to corporate values, including client focus, ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Enthusiasm for staying abreast of key market and industry trends (e.g., underwriting, competition, technology, data, and regulatory changes).
• Demonstrated ability to manage personal development and encourage others to do the same.
• Experience leading diverse teams, fostering engagement, and building high performance.
• Gravitas, self-composure, and comfort in an outward-facing market role.
• Market profile and ability to promote AXA XL alongside the Americas and AXA XL Leadership team.
• Motivation to challenge the status quo and make difficult decisions when required.

Benefits

• Inclusive culture with a strategic commitment to attract, develop, and retain a diverse workforce.
• Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability, and inclusion, with 20 Chapters globally.
• Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements.
• Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits.
• Competitive retirement savings plan and health and wellness programs.
• Wide range of learning opportunities to develop professional skills and advance careers.
• Volunteering and charitable giving programs, including Matching Gifts, Volunteering Leave, and the annual Global Day of Giving.

Pay

The U.S. base salary range for this position is USD 350,000 – 400,000. Actual pay will be determined based on skills, experience, and location.

About the company

AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. We provide re/insurance solutions for mid-sized companies, multinationals, and individuals by combining a comprehensive capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and top talent in an agile and inclusive workspace. Our ambition is to unlock a more sustainable and prosperous tomorrow by helping businesses navigate risks. In the Americas, we deliver value beyond insurance policies by addressing clients’ risk management challenges and supporting their strategic goals.