Head of Finance, E&S

Zurich North America is currently looking for a Head of Finance for our Zurich E&S Business Unit. The Zurich E&S Head of Finance role reports to the President of Zurich E&S, is part of the Zurich E&S Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and serves as a divisional Chief Financial Officer. The Zurich E&S position is also part of the broader Zurich U.S. and Zurich Specialty Divisions and is responsible for working in close collaboration with the finance teams across Zurich U.S. and Zurich Specialties.

The Head of Zurich E&S Finance will serve as a key strategic advisor to the President of Zurich E&S and the E&S Executive Leadership Team, and will provide support that includes, but it not limited to, the following: providing forward-looking financial analysis, influencing decision-making, and shaping the financial direction of the business. The role will lead a team of Financial Analysts and play a central role in tracking and communicating actual financial performance, financial planning and forecasting, and performance optimization.

Our preference is for this leader to be located in our Schaumburg, IL, Chicago, IL, Atlanta GA or New York, NY office.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Direct and develop financial analysis, insights, planning and forecasting for the E&S Business Unit
• Utilize Power BI and other tools to develop a balance scorecard of KPIs for measuring and improving BU performance.
• Ensure the integrity of accounting records and financial management reports and manage the BUs Internal Control Framework activities 
• Identify, develop, and expand business opportunities and long-term strategic relationships
• Analyze and look for strategies to optimize the BU’s utilization of reinsurance
• Prepare and manage business and performance reviews from the Finance perspective on behalf of the E&S Business Unit
• Provide business insight and recommended actions to address Plan gaps
• Assist in the development and lead the process for annual financial plans, including, but not limited to, reserve analyses, direct expense budgets and SSU service levels and allocations
• Works with senior management and executives on a daily basis in addition to people management of direct reports
• Serve as lead liaison with ZNA’s Finance & Actuarial Shared Services Unit
• Lead enterprise-wide and/or BU initiatives, as applicable
• Inform the BU senior leadership team of all new forthcoming enterprise accounting or reporting changes and the impact on the BU.

This Head of Finance for Zurich E&S may be filled at either the VP or SVP level. The final level will be determined by the hiring manager based on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications relative to the requirements outlined for this role.

VP-Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree and 10 or more years of experience in the Financial Planning area
• Experience providing strategic financial insights and consultation to business leadership
• People management experience

SVP-Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree and 12 or more years of experience in the Financial Planning area
• Experience providing strategic financial insights and consultation to business leadership
• People management experience

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Excellent finance and accounting skills with a command of insurance financial statements (i.e., income, balance sheet and cash flow) and financial and risk-adjusted return metrics.  Preference for strong understanding of U.S. Statutory Financial Accounting, U.S. GAAP, IFRS4 and IFRS17 reporting standards.
• Commercial Insurance experience.
• Ability to conduct peer financial benchmarking analysis.
• Strong relationship building skills at all levels with demonstrated ability to influence and engage stakeholders
• Knowledge of business models, objectives, financial metrics, etc. used in decision-making; ability to build sound business cases to support innovative initiatives
• Experience in methods of conducting cost-benefit analyses (e.g., NPV, modified ROI) for strategic investments in data, technology, and human capital
• Solid understanding of insurance business models and the company’s market and business environment and how it impacts business decisions
• Strong management and team building experience
• Knowledge of reinsurance
• Ability to identify improvement needs and drive improvements
• Insurance industry experience
• Detail oriented, strong prioritization and organizational skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Advanced degree in finance, economics or equivalent
• CPA, a plus

Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply—your unique background matters to us.

The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The combined salary range for this position is $152,500.00-$330,100.00. The proposed salary range for the VP is $152,400.00-$249,500.00 with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 25%. The proposed salary range for the SVP is $201,500.00-$330,100.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 35%.

We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards here.]

Why Zurich?

At Zurich, we value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment—so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500®.

Join us for a brighter future—for yourself and our customers.

Zurich in North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets.

Zurich complies with 18 U.S. Code § 1033.

Please note: Zurich does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies. Preferred vendors should use our Recruiting Agency Portal.

Location(s): AM - Schaumburg, AM - Atlanta, AM - Chicago, AM - New York
Remote Working: Hybrid
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered: No  
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