Assistant Underwriter

Zurich 56 Company Ltd; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company is seeking an Underwriting Assistant to join their Financial Lines team in Birmingham. This role offers a chance to grow in the underwriting field, working closely with customers and brokers, while enjoying flexible working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

12% defined non-contributory pension scheme

Annual company bonus

Private medical insurance

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Option to buy/sell holiday

Three days paid volunteering

Up to 16 weeks' full pay for maternity/paternity leave

Access to virtual GP appointments

Qualifications

• Strong administration experience preferred.
• Drive to succeed and willingness to learn underwriting techniques.
• Ability to analyse and assess information effectively.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Underwriters to improve service delivery.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement projects.
• Accurately assess and price risk under mentorship.

Skills

Analytical skills

Relationship building

Negotiation skills

Job description

Press Tab to Move to Skip to Content Link

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

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

Location: Birmingham

Salary: Up to £27,000 depending on experience + excellent benefit package!

Closing date for applications: 8th June 2025

The opportunity

Are you looking to progress your underwriting career with some underwriting experience behind you? We’re looking for an Underwriting Assistant to join our Financial Lines Commercial Insurance business based in Birmingham. Don’t worry if you don’t have underwriting experience, if you’re willing to learn and have some strong administration experience, we would love to hear from you!

In this role, you’ll work closely with customers and brokers in the UK. 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 an Assistant Underwriter, some of your key activities include:

• Working closely with our high performing team of Underwriters and Senior Underwriters,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.
• 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 in line with underwriting mentorship.
• 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.
• Take the lead on broker negotiations as required in line with underwriting mentorship.
• Serve as a key Zurich contact for our customers.

What are we looking for?

As an assistant underwriter, we would prefer 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, notably D&O and Management Liability would be beneficial but don’t worry if you don’t have the underwriting experience.
• Ability to effectively analyse and assess information.
• Highly skilled in relationship building, active listening, analysing data and negotiating.
• The ability to learn underwriting philosophy and techniques, while demonstrating commerciality and proficiency in negotiation skills.
• A willingness to actively work towards CII 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.

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.

The financials

• 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme.
• Annual company bonus.
• Income Protection.
• Life cover - four times your salary.

Time away

• 25 days holiday a year plus bank holidays.
• You can also request to swap UK bank holidays for days off that have cultural or religious significance to you.
• The option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.
• Three days paid volunteering.
• Up to 16 weeks' full pay for maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

Your health is important to us

• Access to Private medical insurance.
• Virtual GP appointments.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Free flu jab.
• Access to a wealth of support from our wellbeing partners.

We're making a difference

• Creating a brighter, more sustainable future underpins all that we do here in Zurich. We were the first insurer to sign the ‘UN Business Ambition for 1.5˚C’ pledge.
• Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, has awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.