Senior Underwriter, Motor (Regions)

AXA XL; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global insurance provider is seeking a Senior Underwriter based in Birmingham. This role involves underwriting, managing a renewal book, and producing new business while collaborating within a dynamic team. The ideal candidate will possess extensive technical knowledge in Motor Insurance and demonstrate strong analytical, negotiation, and customer service skills. This opportunity is vital for those looking to support junior members and drive new product development in a diverse workplace.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Expert level of knowledge in Motor Insurance and Underwriting.
• Ability to negotiate and manage distribution relationships.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and manage a renewal book while producing new business.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to team culture.
• Participate in roundtable discussions on risk assessment and provide mentorship.

Skills

Technical knowledge in Motor Insurance

Analytical skills

Sales and marketing abilities

Negotiation skills

Customer service

Education

Relevant degree in finance, economics, or related field

Job description

As a Senior Underwriter in this regional role, you will be an integral part of a collaborative, dynamic team environment, working closely with colleagues, brokers, clients, and key stakeholders across the UK and Lloyds region. Your collaborative partnership approach will ensure effective communication and alignment with broader business objectives, despite being based outside of London. You will play a vital role in mentoring and supporting junior team members, helping to develop their skills and fostering a positive, team-oriented culture. By building and maintaining effective relationships and sharing insights across areas of the business, you will contribute to the success, continuous improvement, and the achievement of shared objectives.

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

What you’ll be doing

What will your essential responsibilities include?

• Underwrite, manage and service a renewal book and produce new business in accordance with business unit goals. Develop and manage underwriting strategies for both renewals and targets within your portfolio of accounts, including knowledge of the current penetration by product, cross marketing penetration and specific plans to increase company share.
• Exercise discretion and self‑directed judgment in the analysis and evaluation of risk.
• Participate in roundtable discussions on risk assessment and provide mentorship and leadership to peers.
• Negotiate with producers within the limits of delegated authority and in accordance with established underwriting standards to achieve profit objectives.
• Build and enhance relationships with brokers and clients and identify and establish new distribution relationships.
• Maintain expertise with the products, services, priorities and target markets to more effectively enable clients to uncover hidden risks.
• Promote the company’s expertise by participating in industry conferences and events while regularly conducting and taking leadership roles in client and broker meetings to educate on risk.
• Maintain compliance with all internal and external underwriting guidelines and legal requirements.
• Support the business planning and forecasting process; monitor financial exposure within outlined limits; monitor premium income to ensure it remains within set limits.
• Maintain awareness of all claims advised while supporting and providing input on settlement of claims.
• Identify and drive new product development opportunities. Effectively cross‑market with other AXA XL lines; meet with brokers and insureds as required. Cultivate key broker relationships in the region to maintain a steady stream of business within our underwriting appetite.
• Under broad management direction, work at the highest authority limits on assignments reflecting the expert degree of technical complexity and coordination.
• Possess an expert level of technical knowledge and skills including product and industry.
• Provide guidance and assistance to junior underwriters and associates and other functional areas.
• Cross‑team collaboration with other key internal stakeholders, such as Distribution and Risk Management.

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

What you’ll bring

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

• Possess a high and extensive level of technical knowledge and skills within Motor Insurance, and UK & Lloyd’s Underwriting.
• Able to apply business understanding to set direction within the segment or function.
• You should possess excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills as well as advanced sales and marketing abilities.
• Efficient organizational, time‑management and multi‑tasking skills combined with a excellent work ethic.
• Ability to develop and understand business processes, strategy, and planning.
• Proficient data literacy, along with system and technology adoption.
• Ability to respond to a changing environment with flexibility and innovation.
• Outstanding customer service and negotiation skills. A proven track record in development of business relationships with brokers and insureds.
• Ability to build key relationships and develop core stakeholder management.
• Ability to lead in accordance with AXA XL Core Values and Culture.

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.