Chief Operating Officer (COO) - General Insurance (Property, Liability, Engineering, Marine and Specialist Classes)

The COO will lead the company’s operations end-to-end, drive underwriting discipline, elevate claims governance, client servicing standards, and manage reinsurance relationships with international partners. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping the future of the organization and will be groomed to take over as Chief Executive Officer within 12–18 months.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead operations across underwriting, claims, reinsurance, IT, HR, and customer service and management reporting.
• Strengthen underwriting frameworks for Property, Liability, Engineering, Marine, and Specialist portfolios.
• Oversee complex and high-value claims; work closely with adjusters, engineers, surveyors, and reinsurers.
• Manage treaty and facultative reinsurance programs; liaise with global reinsurers and brokers.
• Drive digital transformation, process optimization, and core system enhancements.
• Build governance standards, ERM frameworks, and regulatory compliance.
• Mentor and uplift technical capabilities across all teams.
• Execute strategic expansion and prepare the company for scalable growth.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Insurance, Risk, Business, Finance, or related discipline.
• Professional certifications highly preferred:

  ANZIIF

  ,

  ACII/Chartered Insurer

  , or equivalent.

Experience

• 10–15 years of experience in general insurance.
• Strong underwriting capability (Property, Engineering, Liability).
• Proven handling of complex claims in industrial, liability, marine, or aviation segments.
• Reinsurance exposure (treaty & facultative) is mandatory.
• Leadership experience: Head of Underwriting/Claims/Reinsurance or senior manager in a respected insurer.
• Experience in operational transformation or system migration is an added advantage.

Who Should Apply?

This role suits candidates who are:

• Senior managers in a mid-sized insurer

  ready to step up to C-Suite

  .
• Mid-level managers from large insurers with strong technical depth seeking rapid career growth.
• Insurance professionals with a balanced mix of underwriting, claims, and reinsurance experience.
• Leaders who enjoy hands-on execution, multicultural environments, and emerging-market challenges.

Location: Port Moresby, PNG

Level: C-Suite (COO → CEO within 12–18 months)

Industry: General Insurance (Property, Liability, Engineering, Marine and specialist classes)