Senior Development Underwriter - Mid-Market Retail Insurance - North West

Zurich 56 Company Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined pension scheme (12%)

Annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Flexible holiday buy/sell

Job summary

Zurich invites applications for a Senior Development Underwriter role in the North West. You will lead growth across mid‑market retail portfolios, originating and underwriting high‑value opportunities, while building broker and client relationships.

The role emphasizes strategic impact, mentoring teams, and shaping market propositions. You will work flexibly with options for part‑time, job share, or hybrid arrangements.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in mid‑market retail insurance underwriting, with a strong track record of business development and portfolio growth.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to assess and structure complex risks.
• Proven ability to engage, influence, and negotiate with senior brokers, clients, and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic growth: identify, develop, and convert high‑value mid‑market retail insurance opportunities.
• Build and leverage senior relationships with brokers, clients, and industry stakeholders.
• Take ownership of complex, high‑value risks—provide expert analysis and bespoke solutions.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory change to inform market propositions.
• Coach and support regional teams to foster collaboration and commercial success.

Skills

Mid‑Market Underwriting

Business Development

Stakeholder Negotiation

Strategic Leadership

Broker Relationships

Job description

Senior Development Underwriter – Mid-Market Retail Insurance - North West

Working hours: This role is available on a part‑time, job‑share or full‑time basis

Salary: Competitive package + company car

Location: North West based (Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire, North Lancs)

The opportunity

Are you an accomplished underwriter with a passion for market growth and strategic leadership? Do you thrive on influencing the market, unlocking new opportunities, and shaping portfolios? At Zurich, we’re excited to announce a newly created Senior Development Underwriter position—offering the opportunity to champion our new business strategy and play a leading role in strengthening our position across the mid‑market retail insurance sector.

As Senior Development Underwriter, you will drive Zurich’s growth agenda across our mid‑market retail portfolios. This is a new and highly visible role, designed to accelerate business development and deliver strategic impact. You’ll combine deep technical expertise with commercial acumen, leading the origination, negotiation, and underwriting of complex risks. Your ability to develop relationships with brokers, clients, and market influencers will be key to growing Zurich’s business and reputation.

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 the interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing?

• Driving strategic growth: Lead the identification, development, and conversion of high‑value mid‑market retail insurance opportunities, positioning Zurich as an underwriter of choice.
• Market leadership: Build and leverage senior relationships with brokers, clients, and industry stakeholders to secure new business and enhance Zurich’s presence in target markets.
• Expert underwriting: Take ownership of complex, high‑value risks—providing expert analysis, bespoke solutions, and profitable decision‑making.
• Insight‑led strategy: Monitor, interpret, and respond to market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory change—informing the development of market‑leading propositions.
• Mentoring and collaboration: Coach and support regional teams, share specialist knowledge, and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement to drive commercial success.

What are we looking for?

• Significant experience in mid‑market retail insurance underwriting, with a strong track record of business development and portfolio growth.
• Advanced technical and analytical skills—confident in assessing and structuring complex risks.
• Proven ability to engage, influence, and negotiate with senior brokers, clients, and internal stakeholders.
• A strategic, commercially minded approach, with a focus on innovation and business results.
• Experience mentoring others or leading team development is highly desirable.

As an inclusive employer we 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.

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.

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.

Our Culture

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a 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 the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement, and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest‑established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

We’dlove it if you couldsubmityour application online. If yourequirean alternative method of applying, please send an email to [e-mail]

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us. #LI‑Hybrid

With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries , you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are 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 for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.