Education and Public Sector Senior Underwriter

Aviva; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Pension plan

Private medical

Holiday entitlement

Shares and savings

Volunteer days

Job summary

Aviva is seeking an Education and Public Sector Senior Underwriter to drive profitable portfolio performance and strengthen broker relationships within the Education and Public sector team in the UK. You will manage new business, renewals, and complex deals with robust technical judgement and contribute to growth strategies.

The role offers opportunities across New Business and Renewals, with flexibility to balance your strengths and interests, backed by Aviva’s Commercial Lines Academy

Qualifications

• Significant experience in commercial underwriting or broking (mid-market or above).
• Strong technical underwriting skills to assess and price complex risks.
• Confidence in leading senior trading conversations.
• Experience coaching or supporting junior underwriters.
• Solid understanding of FCA requirements and regulatory responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite new business, renewals and MTAs using robust technical judgement.
• Lead trading conversations and negotiate complex deals.
• Shape and influence broker relationships at a senior level.
• Use data and insight to make high‑quality, commercially‑balanced decisions.
• Support and coach less‑experienced underwriters across the team while collaborating with regional leaders.

Skills

Commercial underwriting

Technical underwriting

Senior trading

Coaching juniors

FCA regulations

Job description

Education and Public Sector Senior Underwriter

Salary: £40,000 - £65,000

Are you an experienced underwriter looking for your next challenge with one of the UK’s leading insurers? This is an excellent opportunity to take on a high‑impact role where your expertise, judgement and market knowledge will directly influence Aviva’s commercial performance within our Education and Public sector team.

We’re looking for confident and capable underwriters who bring strong technical ability, commercial awareness and strategic broker management skills. Whether your background lies in mid‑market, specialist or broader commercial underwriting, we’re keen to speak to professionals who can drive growth, shape deals and help strengthen Aviva’s presence in the regional market.

You’ll also have access to Aviva’s Commercial Lines Academy — our comprehensive capability‑building programme designed to further develop technical skills, enhance trading capability and support long‑term career progression across commercial lines.

A bit about the job

Over the past 5 years we have achieved significant growth of our Education and Public Sector Business across Mid-Market and Speciality Lines. Our ambition over the next 5 years is to continue to grow this part of our account and as part of these ambitions we are recruiting dedicated senior underwriters into our National Public Sector and Education team.

This is a great job for someone with previous experience of underwriting for the public sector and educational sector or an experienced underwriter who is keen to develop their skills within this area!

As a Senior Underwriter with Aviva, you’ll take a leading role in driving profitable portfolio performance while building strong broker relationships within our specialist Education and Public sector underwriting team.

We offer opportunities across New Business, Existing Business (Renewals), or a blend of both — and we recognise many senior underwriters have a clear preference. We’ll work with you to match your strengths and interests, while still offering the flexibility to broaden your exposure if you choose.

In this role, you will:

• Underwrite new business, renewals and MTAs using robust technical judgement
• Lead trading conversations and negotiate complex deals
• Shape and influence broker relationships at a senior level
• Use data and insight to make high‑quality, commercially‑balanced decisions
• Support and coach less‑experienced underwriters across the team while collaborating closely with regional leaders to drive trading performance and growth strategies

Commercial Lines Academy – Senior Development at Aviva

As part of your development, you’ll have access to the Commercial Lines Academy, which offers:

• Advanced technical underwriting pathways
• Multi‑class learning and licensing progression
• Trading, negotiation and broker‑engagement skills training
• Leadership and coaching development
• Market exposure, networking and shadowing opportunities
• Data‑driven insights to strengthen technical decision‑making

The Academy is a key part of Aviva’s commitment to building and supporting high‑performing underwriting talent.

Skills and experience we’re looking for:

• Significant experience in commercial underwriting or broking (mid‑market or above)
• Strong technical underwriting skills with the ability to assess and price complex risks
• Confidence in leading senior trading conversations
• Experience coaching or supporting junior underwriters (desirable)
• Solid understanding of FCA requirements and regulatory responsibilities

What you’ll get for this role:

Our purpose – with you today, for a better tomorrow – is a promise we make to our colleagues too. And one of the ways we live up to that promise is by investing in you. We have so much to offer when it comes to being an Aviva colleague.

• Salary: £40,000 - £65,000 (depending on location, skills, experience, and qualifications)
• Bonus opportunity - 10% of annual salary, (actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s).
• Generous pension scheme e.g. if you put in 8%, Aviva adds 14%
• 25 days/29 days holiday plus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Aviva-funded Private Medical Benefit to help you get expert support when you need it
• Make your money go further – Up to 40% discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts
• Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through our Matching Share Plan and share in the success of Aviva with our Save As You Earn scheme
• Brilliantly supportive policies including parental and carer’s leave
• Flexible benefits to suit you, including sustainability options such as cycle to work
• Make a difference, be part of our Aviva Communities and use your 3 paid volunteering days to help others
• We take your wellbeing seriously with lots of support and tools

Take a look to learn more. Put a salary into this calculator to see what your total Aviva Reward could be.

Aviva is for everyone:

We’re inclusive and welcome everyone – we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Excited but not sure you tick every box? Even if you don’t, we would still encourage you. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part time and job shares.

We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working – spending at least 50% of their time in our offices every week – combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.

To find out more about working at Aviva take a look here