Business Lines New Business Underwriter

Job Summary

We are part of the worldwide Zurich Insurance Group, established in 1872 and headquartered in Switzerland. Our 55,000 employees across the globe serve customers in more than 170 countries, from individuals who need their homes, cars or lives insured, to providing risk management expertise and commercial insurance to many of the largest multinational companies on the planet.

Our industry is a dynamic and fast-moving one, helping people and businesses keep pace with change, and the risks which emerge, on a global scale.

Here in Ireland, we’re one of the largest insurers in the country, employing more than 1,000 people in locations in Dublin and Wexford. We have a great reputation in the marketplace here, with a long history of winning awards for our service excellence among brokers and customers.

The Business Lines New Business Team are responsible for meeting the insurance needs of our Business Lines customers through our broker channel. The New Business Underwriter will be required to work closely with our broker partners and other internal functions such as Head of New Business, Pricing, Line of Business Heads, Claims, Finance, Sales & Distribution and Risk Engineering to ensure all areas of the business are managed in accordance with framework, policies, authority levels and guidelines whilst delivering on our financial plan.

This role may be available part-time or full time. 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.

Your Role

As a Business Lines New Business Underwriter your main responsibilities will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

-    Underwrite and analyse new business submissions an adherence with the Zurich Way of underwriting, Zurich risk appetite and within delegated authority levels.
-    Negotiating terms & conditions with our broker partners in line with our agreed strategy and target risk appetite whilst nurturing broker relationships. 
-    Manage and proactively prioritise new business pipeline and work queues, in conjunction with Sales and Distribution, ensuring agreed SLA’s are adhered to.
-    Continuous engagement with Sales and Distribution, Risk Engineering (when applicable) and broker partners to generate, drive and secure new business opportunities.
-    Build relationships in support of customer/business acquisition and retention (e.g. by handling a range of queries, providing advice to assist with the development of an account) 
-    Implement agreed technical standards, controls, practices and procedures, thereby maintaining underwriting discipline 
-    Proactively contribute ideas and work for the development of new or enhanced propositions based on technical, customer and distributor insights, supporting testing, pricing feedback and participating in training where necessary. 
-    Adhere to Central Bank compliance standards of operating 
-    Demonstrate high level of Quality Assurance in all elements of the underwriting process 
-    Ensure any issues arising are dealt with in accordance with Zurich standards and that where appropriate issues escalated in a timely fashion 
-    Maintain underwriting records in accordance with regulatory /statutory and internal requirements, using a disciplined approach to exposure evaluation, risk assessment and pricing.
-    Identify training opportunities for self and other and assists with training as directed. 
-    Be flexible to participate in ad hoc projects
-    On occasion having to deliver superior service in the management of renewals
 

Your Skills and Experience

Technical Skills & Knowledge & Education

•    3 years plus industry knowledge 
•    Holds or is working towards relevant professional qualifications i.e. CIP, MDI, ACII 
•    Excellent technical insurance knowledge, including specific knowledge in Commercial Insurance
•    Excellent numerical and analytical skills 
•    Excellent knowledge of Zurich products/policy wordings

•    Ability to work within a team environment – focused on the achievement of both individual and team goals
•    Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)
•    Strong negotiation skills
•    Excellent planning and organisational skills to manage and prioritise workload and adapt quickly within a fast-faced environment, responding effectively to customer needs and expectations. 
•    A strong team player with a flexible, positive attitude towards work including changes to technology, functionality driven initiatives, and additional/new product lines. 
•    Strong leadership and delegation skills 
•    Good research skills 
•    Pro-active with strong problem-solving, decision-making and judgment skills 
•    Ability to prioritise workload and to adapt quickly within a busy environment to ensure we respond effectively to customer needs and expectations 
•    Excellent planning and organisational skills that support a high service standard 
•    All employees are expected to work in accordance with the behaviours laid out in Zurich Purpose and Values

Additional Information

Primary work location is Dublin or Wexford based.

 
If you value an exciting and varied working environment and meet the above requirements, then our recruiter is looking forward to receiving your application by clicking on the button “Apply online”.
 

Who we are
 

Zurich is one Ireland's leading insurance companies providing a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services. The company employs over 1,000 people across its locations in Dublin and Wexford. 

 
Zurich is a strong brand, Zurich in Ireland is part of Zurich Insurance Group, a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. Our 55,000 employees worldwide form the basis of our success, helping our customers in 210 countries and territories to understand and protect themselves from risk. In order to deliver our services, we offer a competitive compensation package and interesting opportunities for further training & development. As a Zurich employee you benefit from a multitude of advantages as well as a strong culture, characterized by acceptance, diversity and team spirit. 
 
At Zurich we are an equal opportunity employer.  We attract and retain the best qualified individuals available, without regard to race/ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.