Head of Surety Claims (m/f/d)*

About us

At Munich Re Specialty - Global Markets (MRS-GM), it is our ambition to become the leading Primary Specialty Insurance provider, underpinned by an effective and adaptable strategy, superior products and industry leaders working in a supportive environment to achieve this.

At the heart of our success is a strong culture where people are encouraged to be present, bold and curious, allowing them to achieve their individual goals.

Please see our website for more information.

Head of Surety Claims

Munich Re Specialty was formed as a stand-alone division in 2023, and brings together the wider Munich Re group's primary specialty business units. Complementing an already strong presence in the UK and the US, Munich Re Specialty - Global Markets (MRSGM) has been tasked with executing a wider plan to build a broader European footprint.

The Head of Surety Claims is responsible for creating, leading, and scaling the Surety Claims capabilities internationally, across Europe, APAC for Munich Re Specialty - Global Markets.

This role will establish the technical framework, governance, compliance, surety vendor partnerships and systems to deliver Surety claims as the business grow throughout Europe.

This role will also be responsible for all aspects of managing Surety Restructuring & Claims for Conditional, Unconditional, First Demand Surety Bonds & Guarantees across Europe and APAC. This role will communicate and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure responsive delivery of claims services, share insights into risk performance, and provide timely feedback on impact of products in their local application. This role will develop and implement best practice claims processes, and ensure compliance with broader Group guidelines and applicable regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Design, build, implement and manage end-to-end Surety Claims capabilities along with business as it grows, including infrastructure, processes, systems and tools, partnerships, best practices, workflows, documentation standards, triage and escalation protocols.
• Partner and support Underwriting with drafting of Master Agreements, BT&I, wordings, bond forms, deal structures and dispute resolution proceedings.
• Oversee all Surety claims across Europe and APAC - ensuring consistent technical adjudication, reserving, indemnity enforcement, recovery actions and case management.
• Proactive and prompt management of surety claims, considering all aspects with a strategic vision for optimal claim outcome.
• Configure, implement, and manage claims systems and workflow tools (document management, case-tracking, MI dashboards, cross-jurisdiction reporting).
• Define and enforce high technical standards, including contractor insolvency, performance bonds, large-scale defaults, across multiple jurisdictions with differing legal and regulatory regimes.
• Manage and coordinate external surety claims service providers: including, legal counsel, forensic accountants, engineers, recovery partners.
• Serve as senior escalation point for high-severity, cross-border, or contentious bond claims - liaising with underwriting, reinsurance, brokers, external counsel and senior leadership.
• Establish and manage governance and regulatory compliance relating to surety claims across jurisdictions (local insolvency laws, regulatory requirements, documentation, reporting).
• Provide and present surety claims data, reporting and portfolio insights to senior Claims leadership, Underwriters, Finance, Risk and stakeholders.
• Align Surety claims operations to ensure consistent standards, reporting, and compliance.

Knowledge and Skills

• Legal or Economical University degree.
• 10 years + experience managing Surety claims and/or with a strong understanding of contracts, wordings and operations of the products.
• Deep knowledge of bonds & guarantees, SBLCs, guarantee facilities, and syndicated facilities. Knowledge of URDG and ICC guidelines are a plus.
• Superb understanding of technical claims proficiency and best claim practices.
• Strong expertise with multiple European regulatory environments, insolvency laws & procedures.
• Sensitivity to local market practices, regulatory compliance, data protection, legal frameworks.
• Proactive and adaptable - comfortable in ambiguity and confident in building from ground-up.
• Detail-oriented, disciplined and rigorous - especially around documentation, governance, reserving.
• Organized, structured thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
• Flexible and mobile - willingness to travel frequently across Europe (30%).
• Ability to work independently, multi-task, and remain self-motivated in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong business acumen and ability to collaborate with other departments and vendors.
• Customer-service and relationship oriented.
• Innovative, dynamic and growth mindset.
• Excellent analytical thinking, advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Excellent oral and written German and English skills (business fluent Spanish and Italian also preferred).

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Munich Re, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion foster innovation and resilience and enable us to act braver and better. Embracing the power of DEI is at the core of who we are. We recognise diversity can be multi-dimensional, intersectional, and complex, so we want to build a diverse workforce that includes a wide range of racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identities; economic and geographic backgrounds; physical abilities; ages; life, school, and career experiences; and political, religious, and personal beliefs. Additionally, we are committed to building an equitable and inclusive work environment where this diversity is celebrated, valued, and has equitable opportunities to succeed.

All candidates in consideration for any role can request a reasonable adjustment at any point in our recruitment process. You can request an adjustment by speaking to your Talent Acquisition contact.

Learning and innovating today, striving for sustainable societies and business tomorrow

At Munich Re Specialty - Global Markets our approach to ESG is underpinned by our desire to seize business opportunities and to nurture a stimulating and inclusive work environment. Our ESG strategy aims to deliver holistic impacts across environmental, social and governance topics including supporting a number of local initiatives within our community and offering volunteering opportunities for colleagues.

Learn more about sustainability at Munich Re - choose your impact!

#BePresent #BeBold #BeCurious

*Munich Re not only stands for fairness with regard to its clients; it is also an equal opportunities employer. Severely disabled candidates will also be prioritized, if equally qualified.