Underwriting Performance Manager

Markel Service; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Markel International is seeking an Underwriting Risk Analyst to join our USP team in London. You will partner with underwriting, actuarial and finance to identify opportunities, monitor performance and support data-driven decisions across portfolios.

This broad role covers portfolio analysis, market cycle insights and collaboration to help shape risk appetite while delivering clear senior-management materials and practical recommendations.

Qualifications

• Experience analysing business or portfolio performance in insurance, reinsurance or analytics.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Curiosity about underwriting performance and proactive issue investigation.

Responsibilities

• Shape Markel International's cycle management strategy.
• Perform market cycle analyses, supporting underwriting strategy and responses to emerging issues.
• Contribute to Markel International's cycle management approach, leading on portfolio optimisation.
• Support portfolio reviews, forecasts, business planning and assessments of underwriting performance; Test key assumptions, prepare clear senior-management materials and maintain oversight of agreed actions.
• Generate useful insight: analyse underwriting and portfolio performance, identify drivers, trends, risks and opportunities; produce well-evidenced, technically sound work.
• Partner with the business: build constructive relationships across underwriting, portfolio analytics, actuarial, finance and other functions.
• Contribute across USP priorities: deliver defined work across strategic projects and changing business priorities; take ownership from question to output.

Skills

Analytical

Communication

Data visualization

Job description

Are you looking for a role where you can combine analytical thinking with commercial impact?

At Markel, you'll work at the heart of the business, partnering with underwriting, actuarial, finance and portfolio teams to identify opportunities, optimise performance, and help make confident, data-driven decisions across Markel International.

As we continue to grow, we are looking for an Underwriting Risk Analyst to join our Underwriting Strategy & Performance (USP) team. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the centre of underwriting decision-making, helping shape risk appetite, identify emerging exposures, and support profitable portfolio growth across Markel International.

What part will you play? If you're looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you've found it. The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities, and you'll find your fit amongst our global community of optimists and problem-solvers. We're always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realise our potential, we can help others reach theirs.

Join us and play your part in something special!

The opportunity:

The Underwriting Performance team sits within the Underwriting Strategy & Performance department, reporting to the Chief Underwriting Officer, International. We help Markel International achieve safe and profitable underwriting by supporting portfolio optimisation, building strategic partnerships, and providing clear, forward-looking insight.

We link underwriting, actuarial, finance and other specialist functions. Our role is to help colleagues understand portfolio performance, identify risks and opportunities, and turn analysis into practical decisions. We combine constructive challenge with a strong understanding of the commercial pressures facing the business.

Our approach is based on partnership. We aim to be accessible, clear and solution focused. We use data to inform decisions, communicate proactively, and maintain underwriting discipline without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

This is a broad role, with a remit across Markel International. You will work closely with the Head of Underwriting Performance and other members of the team, contributing flexibly across portfolio analysis, business planning, management reporting and strategic initiatives. The precise balance of work will evolve with team and business priorities.

What you'll be doing:

• Shape Markel International's cycle management strategy
• Perform market cycle analyses, supporting underwriting strategy and responses to emerging issues
• Contribute to Markel International's cycle management approach, leading on portfolio optimisation approach
• Support portfolio reviews, forecasts, business planning and assessments of underwriting performance; Test key assumptions, prepare clear senior-management materials and maintain oversight of agreed actions and emerging issues, including assessments of new underwriting initiatives
• Generate useful insight: Analyse underwriting and portfolio performance, identifying the principal drivers, trends, risks and opportunities; Combine information from different sources into clear conclusions, implications and practical options, including from independent underwriting reviews (IURs); Produce well-evidenced, technically sound work
• Partner with the business: Build constructive relationships across underwriting, portfolio analytics, actuarial, finance, exposure management and other functions; Understand stakeholders' objectives and portfolios, working collaboratively while offering commercially aware challenge
• Contribute across USP priorities: Deliver defined work across strategic projects, ad hoc analysis and changing business priorities; Take ownership from question to output, communicating risks early and improving the work process

Our must-haves:

• Experience and knowledge: Proven experience in insurance, reinsurance, underwriting, actuarial, finance, consulting or analytics Experience analysing business or portfolio performance, with an understanding of insurance economics; London Market knowledge is beneficial
• Analytical and communication skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Clear written and verbal communication Data visualisation or analytical-tool experience is advantageous.
• Approach and behaviours: Curiosity about underwriting performance and a proactive approach to investigating issues and proposing options. A collaborative style that builds trust. Commercial judgement, balancing analytical rigour with relevant and workable outcomes. Accountability: you take ownership, communicate openly and follow through on commitments. Adaptability: you are comfortable working across varied priorities in a role whose scope will develop over time. Constructive confidence: you are w