Senior Underwriter: Complex Risks & Bonds (Hybrid)

NHBC; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Holiday purchase scheme

Enhanced pension scheme (up to 10.5%)

Life assurance

Private medical insurance

Employee discounts platform

Two days volunteer leave

Enhanced parental leave

Job summary

NHBC is seeking a Senior Underwriter to assess complex, high-value, and non-standard risks, using technical expertise and commercial judgement to make informed underwriting decisions. You will handle referred cases, major projects, and surety and bonds, taking ownership of challenging assessments and guiding colleagues to high-quality decisions.

Based in Milton Keynes or London with hybrid working (2 days in the office), you will influence underwriting standards, support continuous improvement,

Qualifications

• Extensive underwriting experience with delegated authority.
• Experience assessing complex, non-standard or borderline risks in referred-case underwriting, major projects, or surety and bonds.
• Strong technical judgement balancing commercial considerations and risk.
• Good understanding of underwriting principles, risk selection, credit and counterparty considerations, and delegated authority.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to influence and explain decisions.
• Experience coaching or mentoring colleagues and sharing expertise.
• Professional insurance qualification or equivalent senior-level experience; ACII is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the assessment and underwriting of complex, unusual and high-value risks within delegated authority.
• Evaluate major developments, construction methods, contractor capability and associated risk exposures.
• Underwrite complex road and sewer bonds, assessing contractor strength, insolvency risks and security requirements.
• Make sound, evidence-based decisions on risk selection, terms and conditions, escalating cases where specialist approval is required.
• Provide technical guidance, peer reviews and mentoring to Underwriters, supporting consistent, high-quality decision-making.
• Contribute to underwriting guidelines, referral criteria and improvements to underwriting processes.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, discussing and negotiating complex underwriting requirements.

Skills

Underwriting

Risk assessment

Stakeholder mgmt

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

ACII qualification (advantageous)

Job description

NHBC is seeking a Senior Underwriter to assess complex, high-value, and non-standard risks, using technical expertise and commercial judgement to make informed underwriting decisions. You will handle referred cases, major projects, and surety and bonds, taking ownership of challenging assessments and guiding colleagues to high-quality decisions.

Based in Milton Keynes or London with hybrid working (2 days in the office), you will influence underwriting standards, support continuous improvement,