Development Underwriter (Life Sciences)

EC Insurance Company; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Quarterly bonus (target 20%)

Hybrid and flexible working

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Generous holiday allowance with buy/s1

Professional qualification support

Ongoing learning and careerdevelopment

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Markel is seeking a commercially minded Development Underwriter to drive growth for our Life Sciences portfolio in the UK. You will build and manage broker relationships, identify new opportunities, win business and help shape the Life Sciences proposition across the market.

This growth-focused role offers hybrid working, autonomy to manage your diary and ongoing professional development. Experience in Life Sciences underwriting or related Commercial lines is valued, but the right collaborative

Qualifications

• Underwriting experience in Life Sciences or related classes (Commercial, Financial Lines)
• Strong ability to develop broker networks and convert opportunities
• Proven track record in negotiating and closing business

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage broker relationships across UK Life Sciences markets
• Identify, win and grow new business opportunities within delegated authority
• Underwrite Life Sciences risks and maintain portfolio profitability
• Represent Markel at broker meetings, market events and industry forums

Skills

Broker development

Relationship-building

Commercial awareness

Negotiation & influence

Communication skills

Self-motivation

Independent work

Market presence

Job description

• Developing and managing broker relationships across key UK markets
• Creating and converting new business opportunities
• Underwriting Life Sciences risks within delegated authority
• Becoming a recognised specialist within your broker network
• Building a robust pipeline of opportunities and maintaining CRM activity
• Working closely with underwriting colleagues to deliver excellent broker outcomes
• Providing market insight and helping shape future underwriting appetite
• Representing Markel at broker meetings, market events and industry forums
• Supporting delivery of growth and profitability objectives across the portfolio

What We're Looking For:

We're more interested in finding the right person than ticking every technical box.

You could be:

• A Development Underwriter looking for a specialist market opportunity
• A Commercial Combined or P&C Underwriter wanting to move into a more market-facing role
• A New Business Underwriter with strong broker relationships
• A Life Sciences specialist seeking a broader platform for growth
• A specialist Life Sciences Broker looking to transition into underwriting
• Underwriting experience within Commercial Combined, P&C, Financial Lines or Life Sciences
• Strong broker development and relationship-building skills
• Commercial awareness and trading capability
• Confidence negotiating and influencing outcomes
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• The drive to create opportunities and build a portfolio
• A proactive and self-motivated approach to work
• Outgoing and relationship-focused
• Commercially minded
• Naturally curious
• Resilient and ambitious
• Comfortable working independently
• Motivated by growth and building a market presence
• Confident opening doors and creating opportunities

Help Build the Future of Life Sciences Insurance at Markel!

This isn't a maintenance role. It isn't a desk-bound underwriting position.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a growing, profitable portfolio and become the face of Markel's Life Sciences proposition across the UK.

As we continue to invest in our specialist underwriting capabilities, we're looking for a commercially minded Development Underwriter to help drive the next phase of growth within our Life Sciences portfolio. You'll be responsible for building broker relationships, identifying new opportunities, winning business and helping shape the future direction of the proposition.

Whether you already have Life Sciences experience or you're a talented Commercial Combined, P&C or Financial Lines Underwriter looking to specialise in a high-growth niche, we want to hear from you.

Why Join Markel?

Life Sciences is one of our most exciting growth areas.

We're already delivering strong, profitable results and have ambitious plans to expand our footprint in the market. With significant investment in people, underwriting capability and broker engagement, we're looking for someone who wants to help us build something special.

Rather than being tied to a desk, you'll have the autonomy to manage your own diary, spend time in the market and build productive broker relationships. You'll be aligned to a Markel office but enjoy significant flexibility in how you work.

What You'll Get:

• Competitive salary
• Quarterly bonus opportunity (target 20% of salary)
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Income ProtectionGenerous holiday allowance with buy/sell options
• Professional qualification support
• Ongoing learning and career development
• A collaborative and supportive culture where your contribution makes a genuine impact

Ready to Make Your Mark?

If you're an underwriter who enjoys building relationships, creating opportunities and driving growth, this is your chance to play a leading role in one of Markel's most exciting specialist propositions.

Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.