Senior Underwriter - Life Science

Markel; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Hybrid working

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Income protection

Holiday allowance

Qualification support

Career development

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Markel seeks a Senior Underwriter for Life Science, based in Leeds with hybrid working options across Manchester and Birmingham. You'll manage complex renewals, lead technical decisions and mentor junior underwriters, shaping underwriting strategy and portfolio growth.

Success hinges on strong Life Science underwriting, broker relationship skills and a collaborative, commercial mindset capable of influencing portfolio direction across a high-profile, growing business.

Qualifications

• Strong underwriting experience in Life Sciences, P&C or Commercial Combined.
• Ability to build broker relationships and influence decisions.
• Willingness to mentor and coach junior underwriters.

Responsibilities

• Technical underwriting: manage complex Life Science renewal business and high‑value accounts.
• Broker relationship management: build and strengthen broker partnerships.
• Team development & leadership: act as technical referral point and mentor colleagues.
• Strategic contribution: help shape future growth and portfolio strategy.

Skills

Life Sciences

Property & Casualty

Commercial Combined

Job description

Senior Underwriter - Life Science

Leeds (Preferred) | Manchester | Birmingham

Hybrid Working | Permanent | Full Time

Help Shape the Future of Life Science Underwriting at Markel!

This isn't just another Senior Underwriter role.

It's an opportunity to become a key figure within one of Markel's most exciting and ambitious growth areas, helping to shape the future of our Life Science portfolio while developing the next generation of underwriters.

We're looking for an experienced underwriter who combines strong technical expertise with commercial thinking, broker relationship skills and the desire to make a lasting impact.

Whether you already have Life Science experience or come from a strong Property & Casualty or Commercial Combined background, this could be your opportunity to step into a highly visible role with genuine influence.

Why This Role Stands Out:

Our Life Science portfolio is at an exciting point in its evolution.

We've recently launched an enhanced Life Science product, offering broader cover, additional value-added services and stronger market competitiveness. With ambitious growth plans in place, we're looking for someone who can help us take the portfolio to the next level.

As a Senior Underwriter, you'll be trusted with our largest and most complex risks, act as a key technical leader within the team and play an important role in developing both our people and portfolio.

You'll become a trusted deputy to the Team Manager, helping shape underwriting strategy, supporting team development and contributing to the future success of the business.

If you're looking for a role where your opinions matter, your expertise is valued and your impact will be visible, we'd love to hear from you.

The Opportunity:

You'll join a collaborative team responsible for a specialist Life Science portfolio covering:

• Pharmaceutical companies
• Biotechnology businesses
• Medical device manufacturers
• Clinical trials
• Research & Development organisations
• Cosmetics businesses
• Vitamins and supplement manufacturers

This is one of the most technically diverse and intellectually stimulating classes of business within Commercial Lines, offering exposure to complex and varied risks that challenge and develop your underwriting expertise.

What You'll Be Doing:

Technical Underwriting

• Managing a portfolio of complex Life Science renewal business
• Taking ownership of larger and higher-value accounts
• Making sound, commercially balanced underwriting decisions
• Negotiating profitable renewals and retention strategies
• Supporting portfolio growth whilst maintaining underwriting discipline

Broker Relationship Management

• Building and strengthening broker relationships
• Becoming a trusted underwriting partner
• Identifying opportunities to retain and grow quality business
• Contributing to a more relationship-led approach across the portfolio

Team Development & Leadership

• Acting as a technical referral point for colleagues
• Coaching and mentoring less experienced underwriters
• Sharing insight, expertise and best practice
• Supporting the Team Manager as a trusted deputy
• Participating in leadership and trading discussions

  Strategic Contribution

  • Supporting the future growth of the Life Science proposition
  • Influencing how the team develops and evolves
  • Contributing ideas that improve performance, service and broker experience

  What We're Looking For:

  We're open-minded about background and recognise that exceptional talent doesn't always come from a perfect match on paper.

  You’ll ideally bring:

  Essential Experience

  • Strong underwriting experience within:
  • Life Sciences
  • Property & Casualty
  • Commercial Combined

  You’ll Also Have

  • Strong technical underwriting capability
  • Confidence handling complex commercial risks
  • Commercial awareness and sound judgement
  • Experience building broker relationships
  • The ability to influence and support others
  • A collaborative and positive approach

  Highly Desirable

  • Life Science underwriting experience
  • Experience mentoring or coaching colleagues
  • Exposure to larger, more complex commercial risks
  • CII qualifications (or willingness to work towards them)

  What Success Looks Like:

  Within your first year you'll be:

  • Managing complex and strategic Life Science risks
  • Supporting the development of junior underwriters
  • Becoming a recognised technical expert within the team
  • Helping drive portfolio growth and retention
  • Playing an instrumental role in shaping the future direction of the portfolio

  Why Markel?

  At Markel, we're known for our specialist expertise, entrepreneurial culture and people-first approach.

  We're large enough to offer significant career opportunities, yet small enough for individuals to make a genuine impact.

  We believe in empowering our people, investing in their development and creating an environment where expertise, collaboration and innovation thrive.

  What's In It For You?

  • Competitive salary and annual bonus
  • Hybrid and flexible working
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Life Assurance
  • Income Protection
  • Generous holiday allowance with buy/sell options
  • Professional qualification support
  • Clear career development opportunities
  • Collaborative and supportive culture

  Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.

  We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.