Senior Underwriter - Construction (CAR/EAR/DSU)

AXA XL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Diversity & inclusion initiatives

Employee wellbeing programs

Job summary

AXA XL in London is seeking an experienced Senior Underwriter to deliver profitable underwriting across CAR/EAR construction risks, working with brokers and clients to build a durable portfolio.

You will review submissions, price risks, monitor exposures, and contribute to strategy while reporting to Head of Construction, UK & Lloyd's. The role requires a strong broker network, technical CAR/EAR knowledge and Excel proficiency to drive outcomes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience underwriting construction projects and profitability.
• Excellent understanding of CAR/EAR market dynamics and performance drivers.
• Established broker and client network, including renewables sector relationships.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Proven analytical, negotiation and commercial skills.
• Proficiency with pricing tools and solid Excel knowledge.
• Familiarity with CAR/EAR wordings and broker manuscripts.
• Understanding of linesize management and portfolio steering.

Responsibilities

• Deliver profitable underwriting service across construction risks.
• Review submissions, policy wordings, inspection reports and loss runs; assess risk quality.
• Price risks considering technical costs, reinsurance and expenses for profitability.
• Underwrite within authority and assist planning/forecasting.
• Monitor exposures, premium income and portfolio performance.

Skills

Underwriting construction

CAR/EAR market knowledge

Broker network

Communication skills

Analytical/negotiation skills

Pricing tools

Excel proficiency

Broker manuscript familiarity

Linesize management

Education

Engineering background or technical degree

Tools

Pricing tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Description

AXA XL’s UK & Lloyd’s Construction & Engineering team underwrites Construction and Erection All Risks (CAR/EAR) for a diverse global client base. Our portfolio spans Coverholders, Contractors, Owners, Utilities, Developers and OEMs, and we work closely with all major London broking houses. With a robust pipeline of new business and a growing appetite across CAR, EAR, DSU and first-year operations, this is an excellent opportunity to join an established and energeticteam.

We are seeking an experienced Construction/Erection Underwriter with deep market knowledge and influential broker relationships to help drive the continued build-out of our portfolio. You will play a key role in delivering profitable underwriting results, shaping risk strategy, and representing AXA XL as a market-leading partner to clients and brokers.

This is a regulated role under the Central Bank of Ireland’s Fitness and Probity regime.

What you’ll be doing

As Senior Underwriter, you will be responsible for delivering a profitable, high-quality underwriting service across a broad range of construction risks. Your responsibilities will include:

Underwriting & Portfolio Management

• Reviewing submissions, including policy wordings, inspection reports and loss runs, and conducting detailed analysis to assess risk quality.
• Pricing risks appropriately by considering technical risk costs, reinsurance structures, and underwriting/administration expenses to ensure sustainable profitability.
• Underwriting business within agreed authority levels and contributing to the wider business planning and forecasting process.
• Monitoring aggregate exposures, premium income, and portfolio performance to ensure alignment with plan and risk appetite.

Client & Broker Engagement

• Building and maintaining effective relationships with brokers and clients to support new business development and account retention.
• Providing proactive advice on insurance and risk management matters, ensuring clients receive a tailored and responsive service.
• Identifying opportunities for cross-selling and supporting broader AXA XL initiatives.

Policy & Claims Oversight

• Reviewing loss control reports and managing endorsement requests to ensure accurate and timely policy issuance.
• Maintaining awareness of all notified claims and providing input into claims strategy and settlement discussions.

You will report directly to the Head of Construction, UK & Lloyd’s.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Proven experience underwriting construction projects and annuals profitably.
• Excellent understanding of the CAR/EAR market and the factors influencing performance.
• Established broker and client network, ideally including renewable energy sector relationships.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Proven analytical, negotiation and commercial skills.
• Proficiency with pricing tools and solid working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Familiarity with broker manuscript and industry-standard CAR/EAR wordings.
• Understanding of linesize management and portfolio steering.

Desired Skills and Abilities:

• Background in engineering or construction, or a relevant technical degree.
• Binder and lineslip experience (preferred but not essential).
• Progress toward Cert CII or higher.

What we offer

Inclusion

AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture and enables business growth and is critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.

• Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.
• Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
• Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits
• Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
• Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter

Learn more at axaxl.com/about-us/inclusion-and-diversity. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Total Rewards

AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do.

We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence.

Sustainability

At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future. Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.

Our Pillars:

• Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.
• Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.
• Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
• AXA Hearts in Action:We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving.

For more information, please see axaxl.com/sustainability.

Who we are

AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it.

How? By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business − property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty.

With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward.

Learn more at axaxl.com