Senior Underwriter - Life Science

Avencia Talent Solutions; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Avencia Talent Solutions seeks a Senior Underwriter to join its Life Sciences renewals team. This hands-on role combines technical underwriting with leadership influence, handling larger, more complex renewal risks while mentoring colleagues.

You will shape a specialist portfolio, support brokers, and contribute to the growth of a strengthened Life Science proposition in a hybrid Leeds/Manchester/Birmingham environment.

Qualifications

• Proven technical underwriting experience in Life Science, Property & Casualty, or Commercial Combined.
• Experience handling complex commercial risks with sound commercial judgement.
• Strong broker relationship management skills.
• Interest in coaching, supporting and developing others.
• Credibility and energy to influence a developing team.

Responsibilities

• Manage larger and more complex Life Science renewal accounts.
• Assess risk, negotiate terms and make commercially balanced underwriting decisions.
• Build stronger relationships with brokers to support profitable retention.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities and share knowledge with colleagues.
• Act as a technical referral point for the team and coach less experienced underwriters.
• Support Team Manager and contribute to wider trading discussions.
• Help develop and grow the Life Science proposition.

Skills

Technical underwriting

Life Science underwriting

Broker relationships

Coaching & development

Commercial judgement

Job description

Location: Leeds, Manchester or Birmingham

Hybrid working: Three office days per week

We're supporting a leading specialist insurer with the appointment of a Senior Underwriter to its growing Life Sciences renewals team. Life Science experience would be ideal but is not essential; technically strong underwriters interested in moving into a specialist market are encouraged to apply.

This is a hands-on underwriting role with additional technical and leadership influence. You'll manage some of the portfolio's larger and more complex renewal risks while supporting the development of a talented team of underwriters.

This is an opportunity to become a key contributor within a specialist portfolio, help shape its future direction and develop towards broader leadership responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing larger and more complex Life Science renewal accounts.
• Assessing risk, negotiating terms and making commercially balanced underwriting decisions.
• Building stronger, more proactive relationships with brokers.
• Supporting profitable retention and identifying cross-selling opportunities.
• Acting as a technical referral point for colleagues.
• Coaching and sharing knowledge with less experienced underwriters.
• Supporting the Team Manager and contributing to wider trading discussions.
• Helping develop and grow a recently enhanced Life Science proposition.

Skills & Experience

• Strong technical underwriting experience within Life Science, Property & Casualty, or Commercial Combined.
• Experience handling complex commercial risks, with sound commercial judgement and confident decision-making.
• Strong broker relationship management skills.
• An interest in coaching, supporting and developing others.
• The credibility and energy to positively influence a developing team.