Head of Construction Underwriting

Markel; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance firm in the UK is seeking a Head of Construction Underwriting to lead the underwriting strategy for UK National Markets. This pivotal role involves specifying, pricing, and launching new insurance products while supporting sales and managing product profitability. Candidates should have a successful history in underwriting with a strong understanding of regulatory obligations. The role offers a competitive salary, generous benefits, and a hybrid working model with opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Generous annual bonus

25 days paid holiday plus Bank Holidays

Company pension scheme

Private medical and dental cover

Qualifications

• Successful history of underwriting relevant class of business in UK retail market.
• Track record of delivering profitable results over multiple years.
• Understanding of regulatory obligations for underwriting insurance products.
• Ability to develop and manage product pricing models.
• Strong communication skills and teamwork capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Specifying, pricing, and launching new products.
• Reviewing and tracking appetite changes for profitable growth.
• Working with actuarial function to develop pricing models.
• Supporting sales in achieving targets and improving underwriting ease.
• Accountable for referrals for own product line.
• Building skills and product knowledge in underwriting function.

Skills

Underwriting experience

Leadership

Communication skills

Technical knowledge

Analytical skills

Job description

We are looking for our new Head of Construction Underwriting here at Markel!

What part will you play? If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it. The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities, and you’ll find your fit amongst our global community of optimists and problem‑solvers. We’re always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realise our potential, we can help others reach theirs.

Join us and play your part in something special!

The opportunity:

It’s an exciting time to join Markel as our business grows and we currently have a great opportunity for a Head of Construction Underwriting to join our highly respected team (3 days in the office / 2 days from home). This exciting opportunity is based within our UK Underwriting division, reporting into our Underwriting Director and will play a pivotal part in our ambitious growth targets out to 2030.

The role can be located at ay of our office – Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, London Croydon. This is a key role within the Underwriting Leadership team, helping set and deliver the underwriting strategy for the UK National Markets business, with a focus on being Head of a specific product for the UK.

The role will support marketing promotion and launch of new products and support sales in strategic broker opportunities. The individual will work closely with the wider underwriting leadership team to monitor and manage product profitability and support on referrals in accordance with delegated underwriting authorities and overseeing a current team of three.

What you’ll be doing:

• Responsible for the specification, pricing and launch of new products in accordance with specific product line and the ongoing pricing and management of existing products
• Review, modify and track appetite changes to facilitate profitable growth in accordance with target combined ratios
• Work with the actuarial function and underwriting colleagues to develop appropriate and proportionate pricing models
• Support Sales function in achieving our top line targets. Find ways to improve how we underwrite our business including making ease of trading simpler and empowering underwriters to be able to write more business
• Accountable for referrals for own product line in accordance with Delegated underwriting authorities.
• Work as part of the Underwriting team to help build skills, product knowledge and capability across the underwriting function
• Monitor and report activities and provide timely and relevant management informationRole model the Markel Style and contribute to product leadership across the business, working with colleagues across Markel International
• Liaise with central underwriting operations where required for governance or reinsurance

Our must haves:

• A successful personal history of underwriting the relevant class of business over a number of years in the UK retail broker market
• Demonstrable track record in delivering profitable results in that class, over multiple years
• A good understanding of the regulatory obligations for underwriting and distribution of insurance products
• A strong technical knowledge of relevant class coverage and market dynamics which can be leveraged or need mitigating
• Experience in development and management of product pricing models
• Work well as part of a cross functional team delivering new propositions to market along with sales, marketing and actuarial
• Strong and proactive communication skills

Who we are:

Markel Corporation (NYSE – MKL) a Fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory and investment operations around the world.

We’re all about people | We win together | We strive for better | We enjoy the everyday | We think further

What’s in it for you:

• A great starting salary plus generous annual bonus & strong benefits package…
• 25 days paid holiday plus Bank Holidays, with the opportunity to buy / sell extra leave
• Fantastic company pension scheme, private medical and dental cover, life assurance, travel insurance cover, income protection, season ticket loan as well as other great benefits on offer
• There are countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career, and we can provide the support needed to do just that!

Are you ready to play your part?

Choose ‘Apply Now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.

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.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at [e-mail] or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations that may be needed. This includes any alternative formats of any documents or information on how to apply offline.

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