Regional Underwriting Manager

AXA UK; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance (£5,200)

Flexible working

Hybrid work options

Job summary

AXA UK is seeking a Regional Underwriting Manager to lead underwriting excellence across regional branches, supporting senior leadership and directing complex decisions with broker and client leadership contact. The role drives strategic growth, pricing strength, and governance across the region.

The position requires deep technical underwriting expertise in commercial lines, strong leadership, and ability to shape underwriting strategy while collaborating with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of underwriting teams across regions.
• Deep knowledge of commercial lines underwriting and risk assessment.
• Experience managing broker relationships at Director/CEO level.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior technical expert and authority holder within AXA Commercial regional business.
• Oversee regional referral process to meet GWP targets and pricing strength.
• Contribute to technical underwriting plan and regional targets aligned with strategy.
• Shape underwriting philosophy and strategy with leadership alignment.
• Use MI to identify opportunities to reduce referrals and drive training.
• Lead technical decision-making for tenders and deals to meet profitability.
• Set and monitor underwriting standards; oversee training and quality controls.
• Support audit, governance, and risk-management processes.

Skills

Underwriting leadership

Technical underwriting

Broker relationships

Strategic planning

Decision making

Communication skills

Education

ACII or equivalent

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. This role will require frequent travel across our Northern and Scotland offices and a car allowance of £5,200 is provided.

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.