Senior Underwriter - Marine

Stride Resource Management; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10% bonus

Strong pension

Long-term career options

Additional benefits

Job summary

A prominent insurance provider in Manchester is seeking a Senior Underwriter to manage an existing cargo book and make decisions on complex risks. This role emphasizes technical expertise and responsible decision-making without the pressure of volume targets. The package includes a salary up to £100,000, a 10% bonus, and strong long-term career options within a stable international group. If you're ready for recognition and substantial authority in your work, this role is ideal for you.

Qualifications

• Strong marine technical expertise is necessary.
• Experience handling complex cargo risks is required.
• Comfortable dealing with senior brokers.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for an existing cargo book from day one.
• Make decisions on complex risks.
• Focus on underwriting quality rather than volume.

Skills

Cargo underwriting

Technical grounding

Commercial decision-making

Job description

What this role gives you

This is a senior underwriting position, with room for someone who is ready to step up and be recognised as such. Broking experience is also considered, provided you have strong marine technical expertise and a measured, commercial approach.

• Clear underwriting authority – You’ll have delegated authority to write cargo risks with stock limits up to £10m, with access to materially higher limits without routine referral. You will be trusted with complex risks and expected to make decisions.
• Recognition of capability, not just tenure – If you are already carrying complex cargo risks, leading broker discussions or acting as an informal referral point, this role formalises that position.
• Proper underwriting focus – New business is part of the role, but there are no individual production targets. Growth is approached sensibly, alongside business development colleagues, allowing you to concentrate on underwriting quality rather than volume.
• Immediate responsibility – The team is busy and well-established. You’ll take responsibility for an existing cargo book from day one, while helping shape how it develops.
• Technical depth – You’ll work on multinational and technically demanding cargo placements where experience, judgement and consistency matter.

The environment you’d be stepping into

Underwriting decisions sit firmly with underwriters. The operating model has been adjusted so that trading activity is part of the underwriting function, not sales. It’s a straightforward setup that experienced underwriters tend to appreciate.

The role is based in Manchester, covering a well-established broker market across the North West. Existing relationships matter, but you won’t be expected to carry the commercial load alone. Dedicated business development support allows you to focus on underwriting and decision-making.

The wider group is financially strong, globally backed and long-term in outlook. People tend to stay because the platform is stable, the work is credible and underwriters are trusted. Career progression exists within the UK and internationally, but there is no pressure to move roles prematurely.

Who this suits

• A cargo underwriter with strong technical grounding who is already handling complex risks.
• Someone already titled Senior Underwriter, or an experienced underwriter (or broker) ready to step up with the authority and responsibility this role requires.
• Comfortable dealing with senior brokers and making balanced, commercial decisions.
• Interested in a role where credibility comes from judgement, not volume.

This is not a sales role and not a training post. It suits someone who is ready to be accountable for a significant cargo book and wants the authority to match their experience.

Package

• Salary up to £100,000
• 10% bonus
• Strong pension and benefits
• Long-term career options within a large international insurance group

Next steps

If you’re at a point where you want your experience properly recognised — or you’re already senior and want a role with depth rather than noise — this is worth a conversation.

Applications are handled discreetly. A discussion costs nothing and will be straight, informed and confidential.