Senior Market Underwriter - Financial Lines

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis. 

Location: Northern Region. You can be based from our Manchester or Leeds office.

Closing date for applications: 25th February 2025

The opportunity

Are you an experienced Senior Financial Lines Underwriter looking for a new challenge? Or perhaps you’re an Underwriter ready for the next step? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

We’re looking for a Senior Financial Lines Underwriter to join our Commercial Insurance business in the Northern region.

In this role, you’ll work closely with customers and brokers in the North of England. You’ll have the chance to grow your knowledge and experience as we continue to build on the success of our Financial Lines Underwriting business.  

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.  

What will you be doing?

As a Senior Market Underwriter, some of your key activities include:

• Working closely with our high performing team of Underwriters and Senior Underwirters, to lead on driving performance and improving service delivery.
• Identify and lead on continuous improvement projects and initiatives. Taking ownership of these and seeing them through to completion.
• Development is important to us so not only will we invest in you, but you will also have the chance to coach and mentor team members, including technical 121’s.
• Qualify accounts to meet with the organisation's appetite whilst striving to create customer focused solutions.
• Accurately select, assess and price risk in line with underwriting mentorship.
• Make clear recommendations for market pricing, backed up by strong rationale and confident decision-making.
• Deliver against key underwriting metrics & financial measures as outlined in the plan.
• Develop, maintain & collaborate with Line of Business representatives on referrals and other business-related needs, as appropriate.
• Demonstrate market visibility & underwriting expertise.
• Take the lead on broker negotiations as required.
• Deliver in-person and virtual presentations and training to broker partners and customers.
• Serve as a key Zurich contact for our customers.

What are we looking for?

As an experienced underwriter, we would expect you to have the following skills and experience but the main thing we are looking for is the drive to succeed and help us on our continued journey of success and growth!

• Financial Lines experience, especially D&O and Management Liability is essential.
• Ability to effectively assess risk.
• Superior skills in relationship building, active listening, needs analysis and negotiating.
• Strong knowledge of underwriting philosophy, and techniques, while demonstrating commerciality and strong negotiation skills
• Excellent communication skills.
• ACII CII Qualified or actively working towards accreditation.

What will you get in return? 

Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday. 

Follow the link for more information about our benefits - Employee benefits | Working at Zurich Insurance UK  

As an inclusive employer we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.  

Who we are:  

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.  

With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry. 

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.  

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great. 

Our Culture: 

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic. 

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities. 

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million. 

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us.