Head of Underwriting - Claims & Medical Operations

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 & Biometric Risk, EMEA, the Head of Underwriting, Claims & Medical Operations, EMEA is responsible for establishing the regional operational framework and leading a shared services model that supports underwriting, claims and medical activities across EMEA. The role provides strategic oversight of governance, quality assurance, operational performance, management information and resource optimisation to enable efficient, scalable and risk-controlled service delivery. The role ensures that underwriting, claims and medical teams have the appropriate resources, capabilities, systems, processes and controls to manage RGA's underwritten business effectively. It is also responsible for developing data-driven insights and performance frameworks that inform decision-making, improve operational efficiency and support implementation of the regional operating model. Working closely with regional Underwriting, Claims, Medical & Biometric Risk leadership team, the role drives consistency, operational excellence and continuous improvement across EMEA, while balancing regional standards with local market and regulatory requirements.


What you will do

• Develop and implement a regional operational strategy and governance framework that supports the underwriting, claims and medical vision for EMEA.
• Establish consistent controls, procedures, manuals and oversight standards across underwriting and claims operations, allowing for appropriate market-specific and regulatory requirements.
• Lead regional quality assurance and risk management activities, including monitoring quality outcomes, identifying emerging risks and overseeing remediation actions.
• Ensure underwriting authorities are appropriate, regularly reviewed and aligned to business requirements and approval standards.
• Develop and maintain data-driven performance frameworks, management information and dashboards to monitor productivity, quality, capacity, workload and client service performance, using analytics and operational insight to identify trends, risks, opportunities and required strategic or tactical interventions.
• Oversee regional resource planning, capacity management and shared services models to optimise underwriting, medical and claims resources across EMEA while maintaining service quality, regulatory compliance and client commitments.
• Collaborate with the regional Underwriting, Claims, Medical & Biometric Risk leadership team, and SMEs to deliver the EMEA strategy and share best practices across markets.
• Ensure new systems, digital capabilities and automation initiatives are supported by effective operational controls, reporting, adoption plans and performance measures.
• Act as NEXUS Regional Business Owner for EMEA and lead a high-performing regional operations function focused on governance, quality, performance, capability development and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in life and health insurance, reinsurance operations, risk management, underwriting, claims, operational management or a related discipline. required
• Significant experience within life and health insurance or reinsurance operations required
• Proven leadership experience within underwriting, claims, operational management, risk management or related functions required
• Demonstrated success developing governance, quality assurance and performance management frameworks required
• Experience leading operational improvement, transformation or change initiatives required
• Strong experience using management information and data analytics to drive business decisions required
• Experience working across multiple markets, business units or jurisdictions required
• Experience within a shared services, regional operations or centre-of-excellence environment preferred
• Experience supporting digital transformation or automation programmes preferred
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex operational data and management information required
• Strong governance, risk management, quality assurance and control mindset required
• Ability to lead regional operational strategy, planning and execution across multiple markets required
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across functions, geographies and senior leadership groups required
• Ability to balance regional consistency with local market, client and regulatory requirements required
• Strong organisational, prioritisation and project management skills required
• Ability to drive operational excellence, continuous improvement and measurable outcomes required
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building capability in a matrix environment required
• Ability to support technology, automation and transformation initiatives from an operational readiness and adoption perspective 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.