Underwriter - UK Property D&F
City of London - Hybrid
London Market Insurer
Responsibilities
- Lead and execute the underwriting strategy for the Property portfolio, supporting sustainable and profitable growth in line with business objectives and underwriting appetite.
- Underwrite new and renewal business within delegated authority, applying strong technical judgement, commercial awareness and a disciplined approach to risk selection.
- Evaluate complex commercial risks by reviewing applications, financial information and supporting documentation to determine risk acceptability in accordance with company guidelines and underwriting standards.
- Determine appropriate pricing, terms, conditions and coverage enhancements through detailed technical analysis, market insight and consideration of the wider trading environment.
- Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key brokers, positioning yourself as a trusted underwriting partner and identifying opportunities for profitable growth.
- Proactively identify and develop new business opportunities while strengthening and expanding existing broker relationships across the market.
- Work collaboratively with the Senior Underwriting Leadership Team to deliver the underwriting strategy and achieve portfolio performance objectives.
- Prepare accurate and commercially appropriate quotations and respond effectively to technical underwriting enquiries from brokers, internal stakeholders and business partners, escalating matters where required.
- Clearly communicate underwriting decisions, including referrals, underwriting requirements, rate negotiations and declinatures, ensuring brokers understand the rationale behind decisions.
- Monitor and analyse portfolio performance, including business quality, rate adequacy, exposure and profitability, providing actionable insight and recommendations to support portfolio optimisation.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of underwriting appetite, products and trading strategies through technical expertise, market knowledge and emerging risk insight.
- Represent the company across the broker market through regular broker meetings, market visits and industry networking events, promoting the company's proposition, expertise and values.
- Maintain a strong understanding of market trends, competitor activity, regulatory developments and emerging risks, assessing their potential impact on the portfolio.
- Ensure all underwriting activity is conducted in accordance with regulatory and legal requirements, Group policies, governance standards and underwriting controls.
- Collaborate with senior colleagues on complex risks that exceed delegated authority or require specialist technical expertise.
- Develop and maintain a high level of proficiency across relevant company systems and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
- Undertake any additional responsibilities reasonably required to support the wider business and underwriting function.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Ideally, 6+ years of commercial underwriting experience within the UK and/or London Market.
- Broad market experience across Large Commercial Property, Real Estate Property Owners and P&C Mid-Market segments would be highly advantageous.
- Strong technical underwriting expertise, with the ability to assess, structure and negotiate complex commercial risks.
- Demonstrable experience in managing, developing and growing a profitable portfolio of business.
- Established broker relationships, with a proven ability to build trust, influence trading decisions and develop long-term commercial partnerships.
- Strong commercial awareness and comprehensive knowledge of the UK insurance market and its key dynamics.
- Proven experience contributing to and delivering underwriting strategy and supporting portfolio development.
- Excellent negotiation, influencing and relationship management skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with brokers and senior stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess complex information and make sound underwriting judgements.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, supported by a disciplined and consistent approach to underwriting profitability.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical and commercial decisions clearly and effectively.
- Ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively within a collaborative and high-performing underwriting environment.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands effectively.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant underwriting platforms and systems.
- ACII qualified, or actively working towards the qualification, with a clear commitment to continuous professional development and ongoing technical learning.