Large Case Life Underwriter

Zurich 56 Company Ltd; Forest Worker Holdings; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

12% defined non-contributory pension

Annual company bonus

Private medical insurance

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Zurich is seeking a Large Case Underwriter to assess high-value Life, Critical Illness and Income Protection applications, often with large sums insured. You will analyse medical reports, financial questionnaires and other evidence, explain decisions clearly, and build trusted relationships with advisers and internal partners.

You’ll work with Reassurers and Sales and Pricing teams to craft bespoke offers, mentor colleagues, and contribute to continuous improvement while delivering outstanding

Qualifications

• Experience underwriting high-value protection cases (Life, Critical Illness, and/or Income Protection).
• Current underwriting authority for life cover of £1.5 million or more is preferred; CI/IP authority desirable.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to make informed decisions on complex cases.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the confidence to explain decisions and negotiate outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Assess large, complex life insurance applications and make high-quality, timely decisions.
• Analyse medical evidence, financial documentation, and risk factors.
• Liaise with Reassurers and internal teams to create bespoke offers for customers.
• Engage with strategic accounts to deliver market-leading service.
• Mentor colleagues and contribute to team capability development.
• Provide coaching where needed and support the inbound telephone line.

Skills

Underwriting authority

Large-case underwriting

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Tools

Underwriting systems

Job description

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Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis (37.5 HPW)

The opportunity:

At Zurich, we’re on an exciting journey of change and transformation. Our aim is to be the leading Retail Protection provider for advisers, customers, and colleagues alike. As our business grows, we’re now looking for a passionate, detail-focused Large Case Underwriter to join our successful team.

Large Case Underwriting is where complexity meets opportunity. You’ll be responsible for assessing high-value Life, Critical Illness, and/or Income Protection applications, often involving substantial Sum Assureds. This role goes beyond standard underwriting—requiring careful analysis of automatic medical reports, in-depth medical exams, blood tests, financial questionnaires, and accounts.

You’ll work closely with our Reassurers, as well as our Sales and Pricing teams, to deliver bespoke and competitive pricing solutions. Providing timely and regular updates to advisers, and building excellent working relationships, will set you apart and help us deliver outstanding customer service.

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?

We’re seeking an experienced underwriter with a passion for excellence in complex and high-value cases, who thrive on building strong relationships and delivering exceptional service

As a Large Case Underwriter, you will:

• Assess large, complex life insurance applications, making high-quality, timely decisions in line with Zurich’s philosophy and frameworks
• Make quality, timely decisions in line with the Zurich underwriting philosophy and frameworks, underwriting applications to a high standard
• Confidently analyse and interpret a wide range of medical evidence, financial documentation, and risk factors
• Liaise closely with Reassurers and internal teams to create bespoke, competitive offers for our customers
• Engage and develop excellent relationships with our strategic accounts and deliver a market leading service
• Build and nurture strong working relationships with colleagues across Sales, Pricing, and other key functions
• Support and mentor colleagues, sharing your expertise and helping to develop our team’s capabilities
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, always acting with integrity and a positive, can-do attitude
• Train and support other team members, providing coaching where needed
• You will be responsible for supporting our inbound phone line when required

What are we looking for?

• Someone with authority to underwrite high-value protection products (Life, Critical Illness, and/or Income Protection)
• Previous experience in a large-case/high-net-worthlifeunderwriting role
• Current underwriting authority for life cover of £1.5 million or more is preferred, and autonomies for CI and IP preferrable as well.
• Experience in financial underwriting is essential.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to make informed decisions on complex cases
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the confidence to explain decisions and negotiate outcomes
• Experience working in a team environment, as well as independently
• High attention to detail and a proventrack recordof delivering quality results
• Good IT skills and familiarity with underwriting systems

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, alongside a range of other flexible benefits

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.

With over 65,000 employees, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company that is 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 where your creativity, ideas and contributions are recognised and rewarded, Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our culture:

At Zurich, our strength comes from the diverse experiences, perspectives and talents of our people. Our goal is to create a workplace where every employee can flourish and where everyone feels valued, heard and respected.

Over a quarter of our employees are members of at least one of our inclusion communities (Employee Resource Groups), with groups focused on areas such as social mobility and cultural awareness. We’re proud to have received numerous industry awards recognising our diversity and inclusion policies and initiatives.

We’ve created an environment that places 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 practical advice and access to a wide range of lifestyle support, alongside opportunities to learn, grow and develop the skills needed for the future.

We actively support our employees to give back to their communities through volunteering and charitable activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest ‑ established corporate trusts in the UK. Together, we’ve supported causes across the UK through grants and volunteering, contributing over £100 million in funding and volunteered time.

Your application:

We’re committed to treating all applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, sexual orientation, disability or any other protected characteristic.

As an inclusive employer we also 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.

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

• 28 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.