West Zone Leader- Underwriting, Middle Market Excess Casualty
Job Description
Our ambition is to unlock a more sustainable and prosperous tomorrow by helping businesses navigate the world’s risks
In the Americas, we’ll live up to that ambition by delivering value far beyond the insurance policies we provide
We’re confronting our clients’ risk management challenges by finding solutions that further their strategic goals and help them build more sustainable, thriving businesses
AXA XL’ s Middle Market Excess Casualty business unit offers Umbrella and Excess Liability coverage to North American based Insureds
What you’ll be doing What will your essential responsibilities include
Lead and develop a high-performing underwriting team across the West Zone, providing direction, coaching, and performance management aligned to regional and portfolio objectives
Own production and growth outcomes for the West Zone, including new business generation, retention, and rate execution, ensuring alignment with broader portfolio strategy
Execute a zone-level broker engagement strategy, strengthening relationships with key retail partners and expanding AXA XL’s presence across priority markets and distribution channels
Drive proactive marketing efforts across the territory, identifying target segments, coordinating broker outreach, and positioning AXA XL as a lead market for excess casualty risks
Maintain robust underwriting governance, ensuring adherence to underwriting guidelines, authority frameworks, and referral processes, while appropriately escalating key decisions
Identify and monitor emerging market trends and risks, staying ahead of marketplace developments (e.g., social inflation, industry-specific exposures, jurisdictional risk)
Drive cross-sell and portfolio optimization opportunities across AXA XL business units to maximize client value and efficient deployment of capital
Provide technical underwriting oversight and guidance on complex or strategic accounts throughout the zone, ensuring disciplined risk selection, pricing adequacy, attachment strategy, and policy structure
Lead the execution of the West Zone underwriting and distribution plan, aligning team activity to strategic priorities and measurable performance outcomes
Support talent development and training, onboarding new hires, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and underwriting excellence
Partner cross-functionally (Actuarial, Claims, Legal, Risk Engineering) to collaborate in assessing portfolio performance, inform underwriting decisions, and support the execution of profitable growth strategies
Ensure operational excellence in partnership with Middle Office, delivering timely, accurate, and consistent service to brokers and clients
Represent the West Zone in regional and enterprise initiatives, contributing to strategic projects and influencing broader Excess Casualty direction
What you’ll bring We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills: Required Skills and Abilities: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience In-depth underwriting expertise as it relates to solutions for umbrella/excess casualty to contribute to the underwriting of the full range of renewal and new business accounts
Robust insured and broker interaction in assigned geographic territory with the ability to effectively target current and prospective contacts in order to effectively promote offered products
The ability to travel a minimum of 15% of the time is anticipated
Desired Skills and Abilities: Exceptional organizational and time management skills with the ability to perform accurate mathematical calculations
Work self-directed with the ability to be an open-minded team player with a willingness to actively listen to comprehend unique circumstances that require practical and unique solutions to complex issues
Excellent written and oral communication skills to work with both internal teams and external brokers as you will work in a team environment, assisting underwriters and / or deal administrators as part of their overall responsibility
Excellent collaborative skills in a fast-paced team-centric environment
The ability to demonstrate critical thinking, decision making, and problem-solving skills
Who we are AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks
For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it
How
By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business − property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty
With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward
Learn more at axaxl.com What we offer Inclusion AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic
At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture and enables business growth and is critical to our success
That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential
It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed
Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe
Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter Learn more at Inclusion & Diversity at AXA XL | AXA XL
AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Total Rewards AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security
It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do
We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence
Sustainability At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy
In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities
We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future
Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations
Our Pillars: Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us
Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future
We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans
Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant
Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption
We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions
Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future
Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business
We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting
AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs
These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving
For more information, please see Sustainability at AXA XL
The U.S. base salary range for this position is USD 107,600-209,100
Actual pay will be determined based upon the individual’s skills, experience and location
We strive for market alignment and internal equity with our colleagues’ pay
At AXA XL, we know how important physical, mental, and financial health are to our employees, which is why we are proud to offer benefits such as a competitive retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and many other benefits
We also believe in fostering our colleagues' development and offer a wide range of learning opportunities for colleagues to hone their professional skills and to position themselves for the next step of their careers
For more details about AXA XL’s benefits offerings, please visit US Benefits at a Glance 2026.