Regional Underwriting Manager

AXA UK; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AXA UK seeks a Regional Underwriting Manager to drive underwriting leadership and strategic direction across regional branches, including distribution and trading senior teams. As the senior license holder for the North region, you’ll support managers in complex decisions and ensure financial objectives are exceeded.

You’ll shape underwriting culture and capabilities, lead tenders and deals, and manage large client relationships, engaging broker and client leadership at Director/CEO level.

Qualifications

• Deep technical underwriting expertise across commercial classes and trade sectors.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and influence senior technical teams within a matrix structure.
• Extensive knowledge of the insurance market, especially commercial lines, and broker management.
• Strong communication and decisive, data‑driven decision making.
• Proven track record of managing accounts to meet financial targets with relationship focus.
• Well‑developed planning, prioritisation and strategic implementation skills.
• ACII or equivalent qualification with strong insurance background.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior technical expert in the AXA Commercial region; manage referrals and report to the Regional Director.
• Oversee the regional referral process to achieve regional financial targets and pricing strength.
• Contribute to setting and delivering the technical underwriting plan and GWP targets.
• Shape underwriting philosophy and strategy in collaboration with leadership.
• Utilise MI analysis to reduce referrals and guide targeted training initiatives.
• Lead technical decision‑making for tenders and deals to meet profitability objectives.
• Set and monitor underwriting standards and oversee training, empowerment and quality controls.
• Support audit and governance processes with risk management action plans.

Skills

Underwriting expertise

Leadership

Insurance market knowledge

Communication skills

Relationship management

Planning and organisation

Education

ACII qualification

Job description

About AXA

AXA is a global leader in insurance and financial services, dedicated to helping customers protect what matters most to them. As the sixth-largest insurance company in the world, we provide a wide range of services, including health, car, home, and business insurance. We support millions of customers worldwide, helping them navigate life's uncertainties with confidence.

About AXA

AXA is a global leader in insurance and financial services, dedicated to helping customers protect what matters most to them. As the sixth-largest insurance company in the world, we provide a wide range of services, including health, car, home, and business insurance. We support millions of customers worldwide, helping them navigate life's uncertainties with confidence.

AXA Commercial protects businesses, from multinationals to micro start-ups, giving them the confidence to thrive.

Job Overview

Are you ready to lead the future of underwriting excellence? As a Regional Underwriting Manager, you’ll serve as the driving force behind underwriting leadership and strategic direction across regional branches, including distribution and trading senior leadership teams. As the senior license holder for AXA's North region, you'll support Underwriting Managers in making the most complex decisions, ensuring that our financial objectives are not just met, but exceeded.

You’ll shape the evolution of our underwriting structure, culture, and capabilities by collaborating with key stakeholders and take a pivotal role in strategic projects, tenders, and deals that unlock new growth opportunities. Your expertise will be instrumental in managing our largest clients and deals, engaging directly with broker and client leadership at the Director and CEO level. If you’re passionate about driving innovation, fostering high performance, and making a tangible impact in the underwriting landscape, this is your chance to lead the way.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical expert and authority holder within AXA Commercial regional business, managing complex referrals and reporting to the Regional Director as part of the Leadership team.


• Oversee the regional referral process to ensure delivery of the Regional financial targets, including GWP retention, and pricing strength.


• Contribute to setting and delivering the technical underwriting plan, achieving regional GWP and targets aligned with segmentation strategy.


• Shape underwriting philosophy and strategy through collaboration with leadership, ensuring branch activity aligns with strategic priorities.


• Use MI analysis to identify opportunities to reduce referrals, supporting targeted training initiatives.


• Lead technical decision-making for tenders and deals to meet operating ratio and profitability objectives.


• Set and monitor underwriting standards, improve technical capability, and oversee training, empowerment, and quality controls across the region.


• Support audit and governance processes, driving continuous improvement through action plans and risk management.

Work Arrangements

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least three days a week (60%) away from home. Away from home means attending the office, visiting clients or attending industry events. We’re also happy to consider flexible working arrangements, which you can discuss with Talent Acquisition.

Your Skills & Experience

• Deep technical underwriting expertise across commercial classes and trade sectors, with excellent risk assessment and management skills.


• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and influence senior technical teams within a matrix structure.


• Extensive knowledge of the insurance market, especially commercial lines, and experience managing broker relationships.


• Strong communication skills and confident decision-making supported by analytical and numerical reasoning.


• Track record of proactively managing accounts to meet financial targets, with excellent relationship management skills.


• Well-developed organisational, prioritisation, and planning skills, with experience in operational and strategic planning.


• ACII or equivalent qualification, with strong educational background in insurance.

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

This position has been defined as an Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) role under the IDD regime which means that in addition to pre-employment screening checks, the successful candidate will be subject to background screening every 4 years with an annual declaration in interim years.