Global Associate Program
The Global Associate Program (GAP) is for highly talented graduates with the drive to become senior technical experts and leaders at Zurich. Each year we select up to 80 top talents from around the world through a rigorous recruiting process.
Program overview
Training to further develop your talents
As a Global Associate you will participate in an intensive program which includes personal mentoring and classroom training by top Zurich leaders. In the course of your core placement and two assignments, you will gain experience in at least two countries and two functions. The program starts in September and lasts one year. After graduation you will return to your hiring function as a full-time employee.
A role that suits your skills
You will play an important role in your hiring function right from the start. You will learn the markets, the customers, the distribution channels and the internal processes of our global company. Functions include:
Claims
You will learn how to handle claims, drive operational and financial performance, and analyze the main levers affecting customer satisfaction and retention. You will have opportunities to work directly on strategic initiatives within Claims.
Finance
You will be trained to become part of the new generation of business leaders within Finance. You will learn how to develop and execute a financial plan, manage our cash resources and interface with the financial community and our investors.
Information Technology
Learn from business leaders and experts how we use the latest technology to deliver innovative business solutions. We will give you responsibility upfront to use your know-how and creativity to influence and contribute to our IT strategy.
Risk Engineering
You will learn how to complete a risk assessment, develop risk control plans and deliver risk engineering consulting services.
Underwriting
You will learn how to evaluate the risks of our customers, determine the price and terms for accepting the transfer of those risks and work with internal and external parties to sell the customer an insurance solution.
Other key functions
You can also choose from positions in other key functions such as Actuarial, Distribution, HR, Marketing, Operations and Product Management and more!
Selection process
The global Associate Program is designed to be a pipeline for future leaders. While specific entry criteria might vary slightly from country to country, we are looking for candidates with a postgraduate or Master's degree, fluency in English and another language and previous international exposure (either as part of your studies or work/internship experience).
If this sounds like you, we would like to hear from you. Once we receive your application, you will be taken through a structured selection process which will give you the opportunity to showcase your skills, knowledge and motivation.
The process generally includes the following steps:
Application/CV submission
As a first step, we will assess your application against the entry criteria, your motivation for GAP and if you are fit for the role you are interested in.
Online ability test
An online reasoning test assesses your ability to work with incomplete information and to create solutions to novel problems.
Telephone interview
This will be arranged at a convenient time with you and will typically last 60 minutes and be undertaken by a member of the Zurich recruitment team.This will be competency-based and will give you the opportunity to talk through your experience to date. We are also interested to hear about your awareness of our industry, your motivation to join us, and to see how you interact with those around you.
Final assessment (usually business interview and presentation)
The final stage will consist of a competency-based interview with a Zurich Business Manager and an HR representative face-to-face. You will have the opportunity to find out more about Zurich as an employer and the career options available to you. As part of the final assessment, you might be required to deliver a presentation on an insurance-related topic-please note that in some countries, these exercises might form part of an all-day assessment.
To find out more about the opportunities available in your chosen country, please visit the 'How to apply' page.
GAP 2012 opportunities
Every year we go through a rigorous process to determine geographical locations and business functions for our GAP intake.
We anticipate to have all country and functional areas confirmed by late January, and envisage that in 2012 our main recruitment focus will be on core functions such as Underwriting and Finance within our Emerging Markets, ie Latin America, Middle East & Africa and Asia-Pac.
Contact
If you have any general queries about GAP or would like to register your interest in 2012 positions, please email ZurichGAPapplications@Zurich.com
Please send your email in English and note that this email address is only for queries regarding GAP.
An outstanding opportunity
If you think you have what it takes to become a future leader, are a top performer in your graduating class, are fluent in English and know a second language well, we would be happy to hear from you.
You must be willing to take on assignments outside your home country during the program.
What is unique about the Global Associate Program at Zurich:
Every year an exclusive pool of Global Associates from around the world build a lasting network. They spend 1 year on the job, combined with state-of-the-art classroom training, including:
- 6 weeks with Zurich's most experienced executives in Zurich, Switzerland
- 1 core placement plus 2 other assignments in different countries and functions.
The GAP offers a once in a life-time opportunity to jump-start your career in a leading global company.