Senior Underwriter - Construction

QBE; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Working

Wellbeing coaching

Counselling services

Parental leave

Job summary

QBE's Construction team is seeking a Senior Underwriter to shape a high-value portfolio. You will manage complex new business and renewals, apply your technical underwriting expertise within delegated authority, and build broker relationships to drive profitable growth.

This hybrid role offers flexible working and a collaborative, high-performing environment where you influence outcomes and contribute to sustainable results across markets.

Qualifications

• Proven underwriting experience, ideally within a construction insurance portfolio.
• Strong technical underwriting capability with experience assessing complex risks.
• Demonstrated success building trusted relationships with brokers and delivering service.
• Good understanding of market conditions, industry trends and the competitive landscape.
• Commercially minded with experience managing portfolio performance, profitability and growth.
• Relevant tertiary, insurance or professional qualifications, or equivalent industry experience

Responsibilities

• Actively manage renewal portfolios and new business targets.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders for profitable growth.
• Underwrite complex risks within defined authority limits, organisational policies, and underwriting standards.
• Monitor, review, and comply with all underwriting standards, procedures, and processes.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers, brokers, and colleagues to achieve business retention, growth, and profitability targets.
• Apply strong knowledge of QBE’s capabilities, risk appetite, products, and broker operations to deliver innovative solutions, while monitoring market activity and maintaining current regulatory and underwriting knowledge

Job description

Hybrid role, happy to talk flexible working

The opportunity

Join QBE's Construction team as a Senior Underwriter, where you'll play a key role in shaping and growing a high-value portfolio. Working across complex new business and renewals, you'll use your technical underwriting expertise to make informed decisions within delegated authority and underwriting guidelines. You'll build and strengthen relationships with brokers and intermediaries, helping to retain and grow business while delivering profitable, sustainable outcomes. This is an opportunity to manage key portfolios, influence results, and make a meaningful impact in a collaborative and high-performing team.

About QBE

At QBE, we get to the heart of what matters for our customers. And we do it all with a human touch.

We’re an international insurer with more than 13,000 people working across 26 countries – which means we’re big enough for your ambitions, yet small enough for you to make a real impact. It’s an exciting time. We’re building momentum towards our vision to become the most consistent and innovative risk partner.

What if you could have a positive impact – at work and in the world? As part of the QBE team, you’ll get to spend every day working with people who are passionate, talented and kind.

Your new role

Actively manage renewal portfolios and new business targets.

Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders for profitable growth.

Underwrite complex risks within defined authority limits, organisational policies, and underwriting standards.

Monitor, review, and comply with all underwriting standards, procedures, and processes.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers, brokers, and colleagues to achieve business retention, growth, and profitability targets.

Apply strong knowledge of QBE’s capabilities, risk appetite, products, and broker operations to deliver innovative solutions, while monitoring market activity and maintaining current regulatory and underwriting knowledge

About you

Proven underwriting experience, ideally within a construction insurance portfolio

Strong technical underwriting capability with experience assessing complex risks and making sound decisions within authority

Demonstrated success building trusted relationships with brokers and delivering exceptional service

Good understanding of market conditions, industry trends and the competitive landscape

Commercially minded, with experience managing portfolio performance, profitability and growth

Relevant tertiary, insurance or professional qualifications, or equivalent industry experience

We offer a range of benefits to help provide holistic support for your work life, whatever your circumstances. As a QBE employee you will have access to and benefit from:

‘Hybrid Working’ – a mix of working from home and in the office to enhance your work/life balance

Free holistic wellbeing coaching, nutritional, confidential counselling, financial and legal advice

18 weeks’ gender-equal flexible leave for all new parents, including paid super

Rewards & Recognition

We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards:

2025 Winner of Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award at the Insurance Business Australia Awards for our Respect@QBE program

2023 Most Inclusive Workplace at the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) Awards

Ranked in the top ten in the AAGE Top Graduate Employers 2025 for medium sized program as voted by graduates

Your career. At the heart of it.

QBE recognises the value of diverse perspectives and experience. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected for who they are. If we can provide support with access requirements, alternative work arrangements or you would like to connect with one of our networks please contact us at @qbe.com .

Unlock job insights

Hirer responsiveness Salary match Number of applicants

We’re an international insurer and reinsurer listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. We employ around 13,000 people around the world. Headquartered in Sydney, we have offices across all states and territories.

Leveraging our deep expertise and insights, QBE offers commercial, personal and specialty products and risk management solutions to help people and businesses manage risks, build strength and embrace change to their advantage.

We provide a broad range of insurance products to personal, business, corporate and institutional customers. From car and home insurance, to tailored business packages and specialist cover for industries such as aviation and farming.

We’re an international insurer and reinsurer listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. We employ around 13,000 people around the world. Headquartered in Sydney, we have offices across all states and territories.

Leveraging our deep expertise and insights, QBE offers commercial, personal and specialty products and risk management solutions to help people and businesses manage risks, build strength and embrace change to their advantage.

We provide a broad range of insurance products to personal, business, corporate and institutional customers. From car and home insurance, to tailored business packages and specialist cover for industries such as aviation and farming.