Senior Life Science Underwriter

Ips Group; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

IPS Group are supporting a leading insurer in the search for an experienced Senior Underwriter to join its established Life Science team. You will take ownership of large renewal accounts across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and more, while mentoring colleagues and shaping technical direction.

You will balance underwriting profitability with strategic growth, acting as a technical referral point and contributing to portfolio development.

Qualifications

• Strong underwriting experience in Life Science, Property & Casualty or Commercial Combined.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite large and complex renewal accounts within the Life Science portfolio.
• Mentor junior team members and support capability growth.
• Contribute to trading discussions and key strategic decisions for the portfolio.
• Deputise for the Team Manager when required to ensure continuity.

Skills

Life Science underwriting

Leadership

Relationship building

Job description

IPS Group are supporting a leading insurer in the search for an experienced Senior Underwriter to join its established Life Science team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced underwriter to step into a role that offers far more than day-to-day underwriting responsibilities. Acting as the Team Manager's trusted deputy, you'll play a key role in the continued growth and development of a highly respected Life Science portfolio while helping to shape the technical direction of the team.

You'll take ownership of some of the portfolio's largest and most complex renewal accounts, underwriting risks across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, clinical trials, cosmetics, vitamins & supplements, and research & development organisations. Typically working on accounts averaging around £50,000 premium, with larger cases significantly exceeding this, you'll be responsible for negotiating terms, assessing complex exposures and maintaining underwriting profitability.

In addition to underwriting responsibilities, you'll act as a technical referral point for colleagues, supporting the development of junior team members and helping to raise capability across the wider team. You'll also contribute to trading discussions, support strategic decision-making and deputise for the Team Manager when required.

We're keen to speak with candidates who have strong underwriting experience within Life Science, Property & Casualty or Commercial Combined business. Whilst previous Life Science experience would be highly desirable, applications are equally welcomed from technically strong Property & Casualty and Commercial Combined Underwriters looking to specialise within the Life Science market.

The successful individual will combine strong technical underwriting ability with commercial awareness, leadership potential and excellent relationship-building skills. You'll be a confident decision maker who enjoys mentoring others, engaging with brokers and contributing to portfolio growth.

Having recently invested in an enhanced Life Science proposition with broader coverage and additional value-added services, the business is entering an exciting phase of growth. As a result, this role offers genuine visibility with senior leadership and excellent long-term progression opportunities within leadership, people management or product development.

For underwriters looking to combine technical complexity, strategic influence and leadership responsibility within one of the most specialist areas of commercial insurance, this represents an outstanding career opportunity.