Head of Credit Underwriting

Job description

Allianz Trade is looking for experienced and driven Heads of Credit Underwriting to lead and develop our Credit Underwriting Teams, based in Sydney and Melbourne/NZ.

Reporting to the Risk Director, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of grading and underwriting activities across your geographical area whilst leading a team of locally-based credit underwriters. You will manage their performance, development, and day-to-day outputs while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

You will also undertake individual grading and underwriting requests — whether through direct action, validation and escalation, training and guidance, or meeting with internal and external stakeholders and relationship management. This demands technical expertise to a high level in both grading and underwriting, integral knowledge of internal procedures and systems, and demonstrated expertise in providing clear, concise rationale for decisions with appropriate application of protocols.

These leadership roles blend people management with technical delivery. So if you’re a leader who thrives on managing people, delivering results, and getting into the detail when it matters — we want to hear from you.

What you will do

• In conjunction with the Risk Director, manage all aspects of information provision to Allianz Trade (negotiating contracts, ongoing cost, content, API integrations)
• Providing data management control and ensuring its reliability
• Defining local information strategy, compliant with AZT standards
• Internal reporting and monitoring of team performance across grading and underwriting activities
• Monitoring the portfolio of buyer risk
• Monitoring and improving Information and Underwriting process trees
• Managing the relationship with Region counterparts (Grading and Underwriting) regarding procedures and local guidance
• Managing the automated grading model, including the ongoing evolution of the local interface for structured data receipt
• Managing periodic internal audits and monthly Quality Checks for grading and underwriting activities
• Monitoring economic risks across the region
• Managing a team of credit underwriters
• Point of escalation, appeal, and final stage underwriting/assessment of high-value/complex limits and buyers
• Coordinating and overseeing local training of both grading and underwriting tasks
• Defining and ensuring the meeting of key KPIs by the Credit Underwriting team
• Monitoring the evolution of credit risk and managing a cost centre within set budget
• Attendance and vote within Local Credit Committee on setting grade and underwriting parameters for large risks
• Steering credit risk within the portfolio to ensure ongoing profitability of policies
• Providing an efficient and professional underwriting service to the Allianz Trade Commercial team
• Adhering to the risk underwriting strategy, as set by the Risk Director, to facilitate achievement of new business and retention targets whilst protecting credit quality
• Increasing and promoting the profile of Allianz Trade in the local TCI market by developing a strong personal brand and trusted relationships with key TCI broker partners

What you will bring

Qualifications

• Degree qualifications in business, finance, or related disciplines; and/or
• Demonstrable history of successful management and execution of the key responsibilities covered by this role, with evidence of self-driven learning and skill development

Market Knowledge

• Proven ability to create and maintain relationships with key sector brokers and clients
• Awareness of credit insurance, economic, and industry environments, and the central issues driving credit risk
• Proven ability to make high-value credit decisions in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment

Business Expertise

• Strong knowledge of underwriting systems, methodologies, and portfolio risk management
• Strong background in risk assessment including comprehensive financial statement analysis
• Proven people management capability with ability to manage inter-state teams effectively
• Successful record of working in credit risk related roles with substantial delegated approval authority
• Proven ability to lead and manage board-level business meetings, both internal and external

AI & Technology Skills

• Experience utilising and innovating upon IT tools, platforms, systems, and AI technologies to manage and deliver work
• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI and AI Agents to enhance underwriting processes, data analysis, and decision-making
• Enthusiasm for exploring emerging AI solutions to drive efficiency, automation, and continuous improvement within credit underwriting operations
• Comfort working with API integrations, automated grading models, and structured data systems

Interpersonal Skills

• Resilient, self-motivated leader
• Tactful and effective when dealing with sensitive issues
• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to quickly build rapport and trust
• Sound influencing and negotiation skills with proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders
• Well-developed communication and collaboration skills with proven ability to work as part of a team and with senior management

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