Underwriting Graduate Trainee

Sompo International; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading insurance provider as a Graduate Trainee in Underwriting. This 24-month program offers hands-on experience, professional development, and mentoring to build a successful career in insurance. Ideal for university graduates with a passion for the industry.

Benefits

Professional development training

Mentoring

Support for continuing education

Qualifications

• University degree in numerate disciplines preferred.
• Interest in insurance, financial services, marketing, or sales.

Responsibilities

• Gain in-depth knowledge of underwriting through on-the-job learning.
• Complete CII Certificate and Diploma qualifications.
• Participate in a rotation scheme across various business lines.

Skills

Critical thinking

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

University degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

As a leading provider of insurance and reinsurance with worldwide operations and employees in Bermuda, U.S., U.K., Continental Europe and Asia, we recognize that our success is derived directly from those who matter the most: our people. At Sompo International, our values of integrity, collaboration, agility, execution and excellence underpin our culture and our commitment to providing an employee experience that attracts and engages the best talent in the industry. As we continue to grow, we strive to find diverse, innovative and driven professionals to join our teams and offer a broad range of career and development opportunities at all levels, in multiple business areas, in each of our locations throughout the world. Our compensation and benefits programs are market driven and competitive, with excellent family friendly policies and flexible working provisions.

Job Description

Graduate Trainee Programme – Underwriting

The Sompo Graduate Trainee Programme is a 24-month training programme designed to give participants the business and technical skills they need to build a successful career in insurance underwriting. Trainees work alongside the most experienced underwriters in the industry to gain in-depth knowledge of our business units and underwriting philosophy. Through on-the-job learning, workplace mentoring and directed self-study, Sompo’s Graduate Programme is a foundation for career advancement at Sompo and can lead to an exciting and accelerated career pathway in insurance.

What can I expect as a Graduate Trainee?

• On-The-Job Learning

Insurance underwriting requires a high degree of experience, expertise and relationship building – something you can’t learn in the classroom. Sompo underwriter trainees are immersed in the day-to-day activities of underwriting new business and renewal accounts. They are given a rare opportunity to work alongside experts in the field to review submissions, analyse risks and expand their overall knowledge.

• Directed Self-Study

Professional designation courses give Insurance professionals technical knowledge of insurance operations and industry practices. Sompo supports employees pursuing continuing educations opportunities by covering the cost for fees and textbooks, offering time off work to take exams, and providing additional compensation for successful completion of many courses. As part of the Graduate Trainee programme, participants will be required to successfully complete their CII Certificate and Diploma qualification (additional details below).

• Certificate CII - completion of 3 exams (LM1, LM2, LM3)
• Diploma CII - completion of 4 exams (delegate can choose most applicable)

• Career Development Support

At Sompo, we are committed to developing our people. We encourage employees to strengthen their skills and expand their understanding of the business. Sompo Graduate Trainees receive professional development training on topics such as communication/negotiation, self-awareness and sales and marketing to help them build successful careers.

• Mentoring

As part of the development of each Graduate Trainee, a mentor will be assigned at the beginning of the scheme. This mentor will be from a different department to the Graduate Trainee and they will be tasked with providing ad hoc guidance and support during regular 1:1’s throughout the programme. The Mentor will also assist the line managers during the annual performance review cycle and review of progression during Level 1,2 and 3 of the programme.

• Rotation Scheme

Participants placed within Insurance Underwriting a will gain experience working with varied business lines during the programme, and will take part in two, twelve-month placements within each business line. Satisfactory completion of each placement will allow the participant to progress throughout the programme. The examples of potential rotations are outlined below.

• Crisis Management (12months) & General Liability (12 months)
• Cyber (12 months) & Financial Institutions (12 months)
• Financial Institutions (12 months) & Cyber (12 months)
• Political & Financial Risk (12 months) & Crisis Management (12 months)

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Sompo underwriters are some of the best and brightest in the industry. When recruiting the next generation of Sompo underwriters, we consider all University degree disciplines, especially those with numerate degrees and with experience or interest in insurance, financial services, marketing or sales. What is key for us is work ethic, intellectual curiosity, integrity and agility.

Additional requirements include:

• Critical thinking ability & analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with others.
• Integrity and reliability.
• Technical accuracy and software skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a team-oriented approach.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong time management and ability to organise efficiently.
• Competent computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Outlook as a minimum.