Senior Underwriter - Complex Risk & Bonds (Hybrid)

NHBC company; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave + bank holidays

Enhanced pension scheme (up to 10.5%)

Life assurance

Subsidised private medical insurance

Employee discounts platform

Enhanced parental leave and pay

Job summary

NHBC is seeking a Senior Underwriter to assess complex, high-value risks across referred cases, major projects, and bonds. You’ll apply technical judgment, guide colleagues, and help shape underwriting standards while managing risk for NHBC.

You will lead on risk selection, terms, and conditions, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure robust, compliant underwriting decisions. This role combines technical excellence with strategic influence.

Qualifications

• Extensive underwriting experience with delegated authority.
• Experience handling complex, non-standard or borderline risks.
• Strong technical judgement balancing commercial considerations.
• Understanding of underwriting principles, risk selection and counterparty considerations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management; ability to influence decisions.
• Experience coaching or mentoring colleagues in underwriting teams.
• ACII qualification or equivalent; degree advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead assessment and underwriting of complex, high-value risks within delegated authority.
• Evaluate major developments, construction methods and risk exposures.
• Underwrite complex road and sewer bonds, assess contractor strength and insolvency risks.
• Make sound risk decisions and escalate for specialist approval when needed.
• Provide technical guidance, peer reviews and mentoring to Underwriters.
• Contribute to underwriting guidelines and process improvements.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to discuss and negotiate requirements.

Skills

Underwriting experience

Non-standard risk assessment

Technical judgement

Underwriting principles

Stakeholder management

Mentoring/coaching

ACII / insurance qualification

Education

ACII qualification or working towards it

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Underwriting guidelines

Job description

NHBC is seeking a Senior Underwriter to assess complex, high-value risks across referred cases, major projects, and bonds. You’ll apply technical judgment, guide colleagues, and help shape underwriting standards while managing risk for NHBC.

You will lead on risk selection, terms, and conditions, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure robust, compliant underwriting decisions. This role combines technical excellence with strategic influence.