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 50-80 top talents from around the world through a rigorous recruiting process. If you want to work for a leading global insurer, if you are keen to work in different countries and are determined to succeed, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Program overview
Training to further develop your talents
As a Global Associate you will participate in an intensive program, which includes classroom training by Zurich’s most inspirational senior managers and personal mentoring. In the course of your core placement and two assignments, you will gain experience in three areas at Zurich, including two countries and two functions.
You will build a worldwide network of associates, throughout the program and beyond. The program starts in September and lasts 44 weeks. After graduation you will return to your hiring function as a full-time employee.
A role that suits your skills
Right from the start you will play an important role in your hiring function. You will learn to understand the target markets, the customers, the distribution channels and the internal processes of our global company. Some fascinating opportunities in our 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 apply your knowledge directly to strategic initiatives within Claims, providing you with an inspiring environment.
Finance
You will be developed to be part of the new generation of business leaders within the finance functions. 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
You will learn, from business leaders and experts from around the world, how we use some of the latest technology to deliver innovative business solutions. We will give you responsibility upfront to use your know-how and creativity in our trend-setting global organization 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!
Global locations
As a Global Associate, you will have the opportunity to work in a Zurich company outside of your home country. Below we have listed some of our key locations where you could be based.
Austria
Canada
Germany
Greater China
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Spain
Switzerland
United Kingdom
- Fareham
- Farnborough
- Leeds
- London
- Swindon
Location details
United States
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Schaumburg, Chicago
Selection process
To apply for a position as a Global Associate you will need to meet the minimum criteria for consideration and will be taken through a structured selection process which will give us the opportunity to find out more about you with regards to your skills and competencies. This also gives you the opportunity to meet with some of our senior managers and gather more details on our organisation to enable you to consider us as a future employer.
Please note that the selection process might change slightly from country to country.
Initial application criteria
We are interested to hear from applicants of various majors, including but not limited to the following:
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Business
- Communications
- Computer Sciences
- Economics
- Engineering
- Finance
- Information Technology
- International Studies
- Law
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Political Science
- Project Management
- Risk Management
- Statistics
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 and indicate your behavioural responses in certain situations.
We are interested in your awareness of our industry and your motivations to join us coupled with a greater understanding of your self awareness and how you interact with those people around you.
Online ability screening tests
As a second stage, you will need to complete online numerical and verbal reasoning tests which measure your ability to make sense of complex information presented to you. Try to complete these tests when you are in a quiet environment, and make sure to have a calculator to hand.
Business interview
This behavior based interview with a Zurich Business Manager and an HR representative will be face-to-face. You will also have the opportunity to find out more about Zurich as an employer and the career options available to you.
Language test
As you will go on an international rotation during the program, it is key that you have a fluent command of English. Your English language skills will be assessed in an online written test, as well as an oral English test.
Presentation / assessment centre
You will be invited to conduct a prepared presentation covering an insurance related question in front of Business Managers. This will allow us to test your perception and understanding of our industry on a global scale and you will have the opportunity to meet more senior Managers and prospective team members.
Timescales
We will accept applications from October 2009 onwards. The program starts in September 2010, however, earlier start dates with Zurich may be arranged upon request.
To find out more about the application process in your chosen country, please visit the 'How to apply' page.
Global Associate Program
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 will need to be prepared to take on the challenge of excelling in a global company and you must be willing to take on assignments outside your home country during the program.
To find out more about this world of opportunities and our selection process for the 2009 program, please click on your local country to be taken through to the application process.
If you would like further information specific to your country, then please contact your nearest Zurich country representative also shown below.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Recruitment process
Austria
-
Zürich Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
Regina Stadler
Human Resources
A-1010 Wien, Schwarzenbergplatz 15
Phone:
+43 (0) 1 50125-1787
E-mail:
karriere@at.zurich.com
Web:
www.zurich.at
Germany
-
Zurich Gruppe (Deutschland)
Christian Hammann
DEUTSCHER HEROLD Aktiengesellschaft
HR Strategy, Compensation & Recruitment
Poppelsdorfer Allee 25-33
53115 Bonn
Phone:
+49 (228) 268-3006
Fax:
+49 (228) 268-3565
Mobile:
+49 (0) 162-207-9950
E-mail:
christian.hammann@zurich.com
Greater China
-
Zurich Insurance Group (Hong Kong)
Joan Chung,
Manager, Corporate Training
Human Resources
Zurich Insurance Group (Hong Kong)
Levels 15 - 17, Cityplaza 3
14 Taikoo Wan Road
Hong Kong
Phone:
+852 2977 0260
E-mail:
hr-recruit.hke@hk.zurich.com
Ireland
Italy
Japan
-
Zurich Insurance Company, Japan Branch
Human Resources Department
Shinanomachi Rengakan
35 Shinanomachi
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8585
Phone:
+81 3 5361 2644
E-mail:
recruit_sh@zurich.co.jp
Web:
www.zurich.co.jp
Latin America
Spain
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States (Zurich)
United States (Farmers)
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 will need to be prepared to take on the challenge of excelling in a global company and 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:
- An exclusive pool of highly talented Global Associates from around the world building a lasting network.
- 1 year on the job and state of the art classroom training, including:
- 6 weeks with Zurich’s most experienced and inspirational Executives in Zurich, Switzerland
- 1 core placement plus 2 other assignments in different countries and functions.
- Once in a life-time opportunity to jump-start your career in a leading global company
